HUTT AND PETONE NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2363, 20 January 1915, Page 3

HUTT AND PETONE NEWS.

IJrqm Our Special Oorr«jpondenU . The Hutt Park is rapidly becoming popular as a pleasure ground, ana quite a large number of Hutt Valley picnickers intend to take advantage of its close proximity and first-class shelter on Anniversary Day. As many people are not clear as to the conditions under which the park may be secured, the chairman of the Hutt Park Committee (Mr." H. Baldwin) was interviewed upon the subject, and stated that the. grounds at the park were free of charge," but it was usual for picnic parties to pay a fee of 10s. for hot water supplied. • Tliere were facilities on tno grounds for the public to heat'water on their own account, but people usually preferred to pay : tno fee._ When asked if a Sunday school consisting of 20 should pay the same fee ae one of 200, Mr. Baldwin replied that' that was at the discretion of the c'aretaker, who was allowed a considerable amount of latitude in the matter. 'Mr. Baldwin concluded that as labour had to be obtained and paid for to procure hot water it became necessary to make a charge. Some months ago a potato-planting scheme was commenced; at Lower Hutt, with a view to assisting cases of local distress. Several acres of ground were secured, the seed was donated by merchants, an energetic working ' bee was organised, and the ground ploughed and planted. Among the 'first plots were land at Mason's Gardens, and the local recreation ground,' and. these sections aro' ready now to dig- When asked what was to be,done with the potatoes, .'in the event of' there being no local distress, the Mayor Mr. H. Baldwin (who originated the scheme), stated that probably the crops would he sold and the proceeds handed over to one of the patriotic funds.. Mr. Baldwin also added that if a "rise" in potatoes occurred, they, would speedily be , removed from the'ground.' ' ' - • : At the Petone Police Court on Monday, before Messrs. J. "W. M'Ewan and A. Coles, JiP.ty'-Johji'Morrell was fined 405., in default 14 days' imprisonment, for making use of obscene language. Bro. Greenwood, A.D., presided at Monday's meeting .of Court Poneke Lodge, A.O.D.j at Petone. Three brothers were declared on the sick fund, and congratulations: were extended to Bro. Jowett oh the occasion or his marriage. A" vote of sympathy was passed to Mrs. Gibson, widow of the late Bro. Gibson, in her recent sad bereavement. The report to be presented at the first-annual mooting of the Hutt Amateur Athletic. Club, to be held shortly, states that the club consists of 57 active, and 10 honorary members, and the balsnce-sheet shows a credit of £25 14s. »d. The' thanks of the club aro expressed to all donors of trophies, .to the officers, and also to the custodian of the Recreation Ground (Mr, Langford). During the year two successful meetings were held, at which large numbers of entries. were received,_m eluding about 20 runners from Wellington. Trophies had been won by the following-.—Messrs. Barnard, Johnston, Morris, Dobson, Adams, Sullivan, Lynnebnrg,' and Ellison; youths' Tace. Messrs. Dennehey ■ and Hayes; school, hoys' race, Masters Wagg and Wilkie. A picture benefit on May 2 resulted in the club's funds being augmented to the extent of £11 Is., and at this func* tion the medals won in connection with ihe youths' and schoolboys' races were presented. The club, lost an enthusias-. tie member in Mr. H. W. Dunbar, who had removed to Auckland, the vacancy on the committee thus caused being filled by Mr. W. -Treseder. The club congratulated those members who resnonded to the Empire's call by volunteering for active service, namely, Messrs. E. J. Dingle (secretary), «•, H. Treseder, W. Treseder, E. O. Kitto, V. E: Bond, W. O'Brien, C. G. Johnston, J, M. Power/ C. Osborne, F. Cunningham, and Wright. ■ , Petone shopkeepers are warned to bewaTe of spurious half-sovereigns. - A case was' reported to the police jn which a tradesman had a gilded sixpence tendered in payment for goods, but refused to accept it. Later r the coin was disposed of at a .confectioner s chop, but subsequently the man who uttered it was seen,at the. railway station, and after some conversation: consented to refund the money. The word "sixpence" had been filed off the com, mid it is stated that many would accept it'as a half-sovereign. The Lower Hutt Council Chambers proved far too small to accommodate the large number of residents, who attended a meeting convened by .theMayor (Mr. H. Baldwin) last evening, for the purpose of forming a branch of the National Reserve. Enthusiastic addresses on the movement were delivered by Mr. Baldwin (chairman), Major Davis, Dr. Purdy, 1 and Messrs. T.. M. AVilford, M.P.j Bell, and 'H. E. Leighton, and at the conclusion ?f the meeting it was -unanimously decided, on the motion of Mr. Halley, secondedjjy Mr. Langford, that a branch of tho National Reserve be formed at Lower Hutt. It was further decided that all residents present form the neucleus of the Lower Hutt branch of the National Reserve. Enrolment forms were issued for the purpose of obtaining the names of members, and a hearty vote of thanks was accorded tho Mayor and speakers for the interest taken by them, in tlie movement. ■ ~ _ . , Last evoning the teaching staff of St. James's Sunday School, Lower mitt, made further arrangements in connection with the annual picnic to be lield on January 30 at Mason's Gardens.