PETONE BOROUGH COUNCIL

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2476, 1 June 1915, Page 3

PETONE BOROUGH COUNCIL

ORDINARY MEETING. Thore wore present at last evening's mooting of tho I'etone Borough Council tho Mayor (Mr. J. W. M'Ewan) and Councillors Jiist, Cox, Brocklebank, Anderson, M'Dougall, M'Kenzie, 'Jones, and Trueman.

A largo number of ratepayers, representing deputations for and against tho acquisition of Percy's Gardens by the borough, attended the meeting. Councillor Jl'lCeimio introduced the depution Unit favoured a loan poll being taken in respcct to tho matter, of which Messrs. Thompson and M'Millan were the principal sneakers. Messrs. 11. Findlay, J. Bowles, Gilmour, and Commetti spoko strongly against the raising of a loan for tins purpose. Tho Mayor, replying to both deputations, stated that according to standing orders, the only way tho council could now deal with tho subject 'was by a notice of motion signed by five councillors. Mr. M'Ewan added whilst- he was desirous tlmfc the borough should obtain all that- wa-s necessary, ho would urge thoso who favoured tho proposal to go slow, as this was hardly the time to raise money, in view of the fact that the drainage and sea-front works woro unfinished.

Tho Town Clerk, Ivarori. forwarded a copy of a resolution, passed by liis council, protesting against the continual rise in the expenditure of the Wellington Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. After sonto discussion, it was decided to support tho protest. Tho district engineer, New Zealand Railways, forwarded account for £2 10s. 3d., for repairing decking on road over bridge, north of I'ctono Station, which tho council is liable under Section 8 of tire Government Railways Amendment

Act, IPI3, for payment. It was decided to pay the account, subject to tho approval of tho engineer. A further communication from the (same source stated that the Department cannot undertake to incur any expense in regard to the provision of additional lighting at the Hutt Boad crossing.

In respect to the loss of rates on Crown lands, and the suggestion that a conference of delegates he held, the Malcara County wrote agreeing to the proposal. Ka-stbourne Council advised that Councillor IVrrv would represent it at tho suggested conference, and tho Karori Council stated that the Mayor (Mr. li. G. H. Burn) was appointed as its delegate. ( The Mayor'and Councillor List were appointed to sign the agreement with tho Wellington Rugby Union on behalf of tho council.

Councillor Anderson stated that the Petone unit of the National Unserve now comprised 115 members, and the local drill hall was too email to accommodate them. Ho asked that a suitable light be erected at Buick Street, near the Recreation Grounds, in order that drill may be carried oil in the open air. The request was agreed to, and it was also decided to allow the signalling section of the National Reserve the use of the motor garago on one evening per week. tl The Mayor formally moved that the necessary steps be taken to place a loan proposal before the ratepayers, to borrow the sum of £25,000 for the completion of the drainage scheme. This was carried.

The Gas Committee recommended that application be made to have Saturday observed as the weekly half-holiday in connection with the Coal Department in lieu of Wednesday, and that screened Pelawmain coal be sold at the following prices:—Delivered, £2 per ton; 2s. Id. per cwt. At works, £117s. per ton; Is. lid. per cwt. The report ivas adopted, and the matter of the lialf-holiday was held over for a month.