HUTT AND PETONE NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1804, 17 July 1913, Page 9

HUTT AND PETONE NEWS.

(From Our Buoclal OorraiDonflMt.) 0 The Petone land agents agree that for several years thoy have not known of such a demand for houses at this time of tho year. One who ivas interviewed said if ho had twenty suitable bouses on hand he could let them oil to-morrow. As it was, the three or four that ho had did not suit the applicants. Twelve months ago the position was reversed—twenty houses to let and no demand. Ho gave as tho reason for the rush "the great strike." So many more families came hero from other parts and ssttled permanently. One agent gave as his reason, "the return of many wlio went to seek fortune away from Petone'." Another said that it was just the ordinary influx of population. "'Petone is advancing," he added. In each case the agents were of opinion thdt tho demand would have a tendency to increase rents. The third fortnightly competition in connection with the Petone Workingmen's Morris-tubo Kifle Club, which took place on Tuesday evening, was keenly contested. Tho winners were: A class—Alex. Brown. B class—D. Jones. C class—G. Reeves. The adjourned meeting of the Upper Hutt Town Board was held on Monday evening. After continuing the recommendations of the special committee in ■ the matter of duties required of the incoming Town Clerk (whose galaxy was fixed at ,£l2O per annum for morning work only), it was derided to advertise respecting the position in all Wellington papers. Tho board's engineer (Mr. G. Lamg-Meason), having adversely criticised the utility of concrete suspension bridges for the carriage of water-mains across tho Hutt River at Akatarawa, it was decided not to proceed further with, the plans submitted by Mr. Dawson, at the board's special .request some weeks ago. The road overseer reported considerable improvement to mam and other roads, the metalling being badly required. The tender of Sweeney and Co., Wellington, for the. construction of four chains of footpath at tho post office corner (<£l2 155.) was accepted. The Town Clerk was given full power to interview the Public Trust in the matter of recent loan in connection with the waterworks' scheme. The monthly sitting of the Petone Magistrate's Court was held yesterday, Dr. M'Arthur, S.M., presiding. Mr. It. • Mothes, J.P., was also on the Bench,. Two boys were cautioned for placing a wire across a roadway to tho danger of pedestrians. A boy 14 years of ago was charged with using certain language, and assault (four"counts). The''lad admitted the charges, and was convicted and ordered to bo sent to the "VVeraroa Industrial School. These charges are the outcome of four assaults on girta' on different- occasions at Petono during the last month or two. Arthur Ernest Devine (who did not appear) was charged with using certain language. He forwarded a letter pleading guilty, and was oonvicted and discharged. C. Gibson and S. T. Tassel wero charged with driving vehicles across a public footpath. A conviction only was entered, on their agreeing to make good tho damage done at the conclusion of certain work, which necessitated crossing the footpath. Court costs; 75., wero ordered to .bo paid in each case. For failing to render personal servico under tho Defence Act, E. rf. Cunningham was convicted and fined J23, with costs 7s;, and L. C. Smith was convicted and fined £2, with 7s. costs. In each case the alternative was fixed at 14 days' military detention at Alexandra Barracks. In civil cases at the monthly sitting of' the Petone Magistrate's Court, judgment jyas given for plaintiff by default in the following undefended cases:—JoTTn Cotton v. Robert Campbell, £1 55., costs 65.; Edmund Mills v. John Nyhane, iM 15s„ j costs 55.; Sibun and Kent v. F. Carroll, ill 2s. '9d., costs 55.," J. H. Urry v. E. Hancock, £i 10s., costs ss.