LOWER BUTT BOROUGH

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2626, 23 November 1915, Page 3

LOWER BUTT BOROUGH

IttEETING. OF THE COUNCIL. 'ihere were present at last evening's meeting of t'lio Hutt Borough Council the Mayor (Mr. H. Baldwin) and Councillors Hodgius, lVleldriun, Carver, Jtoissel, Cleudon, M'Dongall, Ball, ana Hobos. ' . •« The Under-Secretary of the Department'of Lands and Survey informed the council that the matter of repairing the road between Melling Bridge and the railway line was being held in abeyance for the present, and it was decided to recommend that the Government carry out the work themselves. The secretary of the Hutt Golf Club asked for a remission of rates on the club's : links, under Section 27 of the Rating Amendment Act. The council decided to reply that the request could liof be granted. Some discussion ensued a- request from Dr. Miraws 'for the use of the council's tar-sprayer on Saturday afternoon, with three of the council's' Employees. The -Mayor stateu that : ho was opposed to landing the council's, machinery to ratepayers on principle. If tlio request were granted, • the council could not reasonably refuse it to others, and the question was where were they to draw- the line. Councillor Clendon said he, did not think that t'he council should show a' "dog in the manger spirit," and favoured the request. Councillor Hodgins pointed out that the applicant intended to improve liis property, and the council should encourage the intention. The point .was raised by one councillor that in employing the council's men for the work, perhaps It was taking it from others who may be more in need of it. . Eventually, Councillor M'Dougall moved that the request be granted ...on condition that the sum, of 10s. be paid for the tar-sprayer, and the men bo paid not less man the : r'ate the council paid them. . ' ■' I

A letter from the Mayor of Wellington (Mr. Luke), referring to certain recommendations in war pensions was received. It was pointed out that a deputation of public bodies would shortly wait upon the Prime Minister, and suggest certain amendments to the Act. Several councillors instanced cases of penalised thrift under the present system, and agreed that there was room for improvement. Councillor M'Dougall, in moving that the Mayor be the council's delegate, stated that' lie lioped Mr. Baldwin would support the recommendations of the ,War League.

Tho Mayor stated , that he was in favour of a universal rate of pension, a definite amount for. a widow and' for each dependant. He was strongly against penalising thrift—(Hear, hear) —and, some cases that had been brought under his notice recently, the; amount allotted was totally inadequate. The motion was carried.