PETONE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1826, 12 August 1913, Page 6

PETONE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The Petone Borough- Council met last evening. Those present were tho Mayor (Mr. J. W. M'Lwan), Councillors List, Truema-n, Brocklebank, Anderson, Findlay, Cox, Townsend, and Jones.

A (deputation-representing the Petone Cricket Club asked tho council to reconsider its decision regarding charging for pitches. -Mr. W. llardliam pointed out that, for 10 years, no charge had been made. He showed receipts (J?o8 95.) and expenditure (,£(SB 149.) for four years, and suggested that the council make the pitches, and charge tho club for the useReferred to the Recreation Grounds Committee. 'I'hs resignation of Councillor H. R. Wright, was received, and it was placed on record that business duties necessitated his removal from the district. The town clerk, Dimedin, asked for certain information relating to management of Petone's gasworks.—lnformation to be supplied. Mrs.-11. A. Mainoson applied for a sec-ond-hand dealer's license—Granted. Mr. T. M. Wilford, M.l\, forwarded the Prime Minister's reply to his question regarding boat harbours. The member for tho district is to bo asked to move in the direction of the Government subsidising tho boat harbours.. ■'J'ho Commissioner of Crown Lands wrote in reference to fencing on- the Maungaraki Road by Mr. G. I'ackwood, stating that that part of tho road is under the control of the Hutt County Council, and that that body should bo informed.—Received. An opinion regarding toll-gates asked for from the solicitor to the Municipal Association was that. the. Petone Borough Council had no power to erect toll-gates on the Hutt Road. —Received. Councillor Townsend moved:—"(1) That this council protest against Clause 5 of the - Bill to amend the Municipal Corporations Act, 1908, being placed upon the Statute Book, as we consider it a retro-, grade step, inasmuch .as it takes from the electors tlioir right to elect their Mayor, and places sucli power in the hands of the council. Also, we arc of opinion that it would be advantageous to revert to the old system of electing cc-uncillors, where one-third of the council retire annually, and that a copy of the foregoing resolution bo forwarded to tlvo Primo Minister and the member for the district. (2) That the press be admitted to Works Committee meetings, and that all questions, with tho exception of finance, bo discussed in open council." Councillor Jon-js seconded. By consent of tho mover, the clauses were taken separately, and tho words, "Tho member for tlie' district bo allied to strenuously opposo it," were added to the first- clause. 's Mayor remarked that a similar resolution had been before three Municipal Conferences, and had' been thrown. out, ■and ho doubted if the Government would now take it up. From a democratic point of view, however, he would support i'he motion. The first motion was curried. Regarding tho admission of tho press to meetings, Councillor -Findlay, who seconded, 'pointed out that, at oiie time, a similar resolution had been carried, and ho doubted if over it had been rescinded. After discussion, the clause was altered to read: "That the press bo admitted to Works .Committee meetings." This was agreed to by the mover and seconder, and canted. Councillor Anderson moved:—"That tho cost'of production per 100 c.f. of gas, at the Petone Gasworks, Ik laid on the table for the information of councillors." Councillor' Jones seconded. Councillor Cox thought that it would be nmviso to make such an official statement from the chair. Rovaral councillors pointed out that the motion by the Mayor practically covered tlie ground. "* The mover consented to withdraw the motion on. condition that tho information would lie supplied as soou as possible. The Mayor moved:—"That a committeo consisting of the whole council be set up to inquire into and report upon:—("a") Tho cost of gas manufactured at the Petono gasworks; (b) tlie cost of tho distribution : (c) whether a redaction in price is possible, either to wholesale or retail .uscrS." Also, that the committee bo empowered to extend the supply of gas to Eastbourne and tho bays.—Carried. The inspector's report mentioned that there were only three cases of. chickenpox in tho borough, and no children from .iluiM hcusos .wci'B attending school.