PETONE BOROUGH

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2632, 30 November 1915, Page 9

PETONE BOROUGH

MEETING OF THE COUNCIL.

The fortnightly meeting of the Petone Borough Council wae'held last evening, there Deing present the Mayor (Mr. J. W. M'Ewan;, and "CotmciUors List, Cox, Brocklebank, Anderson, M'Dougall, M'Kenzie, Jones, and Trueman.

The Town, Clerk, Wellington, advised that the City Council would be pleased to, allow the Chief Librarian to assist Petone Council with respect to the establishment of a school library at Petone.

Messrs. Irwin and George stated that they had'been asked to make a valuation of the bo'rough's per cent, debentures repayable' February 13, 1921, nd inquired if the council had had any recent quotations or knew of any sales upon which they could base a valuation. It was decided to furnish tho necessary information as far as possible.

. The Wellington Harbour Board intimated that it was in agreement with the proposal for the installation of a weighbridge at Petone Wharf. Tho, same body • inquired: how the council proposed to invite applications for mooring space, from-boat owners, in the boat harbour, and also when applications would close. It was agreed to leply slating that the matter of inviting applications , was being, held over until more adequate shelter was provided. Councillor Anderson urged that the borough should make the shelter serviceable, otherwise they might not receive one single application. 'Dhe Mayor pointed out that people sometimes moored boats in the shelter insufficiently, and the shelter could hardly be blamed if in rough weather ;/.they ■ carried away. Councillor Anderson'said that apart from the insufficient mooring of boats, the fact remained that ; in a southerly . the'iwaierlwas^esKedingly l ruugh within tho'shelter? arid'he'thought' ifc.would Jio betted to pull the structure up than to leave it a? it was. Mr. J-. It. Carey-asked for permission to erect a cycle stand in front of hi?' business premises in Jackson Street. The. matter was referred to the ■ engineer to seo. if the request could be 'granted. ' . The, secretary, Wellington Drivers' Union, forwarded a copy of the nuion's proposals for an agreement with, the council, similar to that in force in Timaru, which, after some discussion, thii ccuncil decided to adopt, with ,c>r,o or two minor amendments, and on the motion of Councillor List, it was agreed that the arrangement begin on the first dav nf the' next financial year.

Mrs. E. Hollard inquired if the council would give permission to build on certain sections in the event of her property being cut up.' The request was gr-'iiited, provided' tliat Mrs. Holiard agrees to forego compensation in respect to the land shown on the plan, Councillor Anderson inquired who was responsible for the wages (£2 10s., per week) allotted to the caretaker of the foreshore. He stated that many persons had'asked ]>im 'wby so low a salary had beer- offered. The Mayor replied that tho Works Committee had laid dcwi» conditions., and there were other things that would considerably supplement tho caretaker's wages. There were about 29 applications for the position. •

Replies were received to a circular regarding the Pensions Act from tho Primo Minister, the Hon. Minister of Pensions, Mr. T. M. Wilford, M;P., Wellington City Council, Dunedin City Council, Lyttelton Borough Councii, Davenport Borough- Council, Onslow Borough Council, Makara County Council, Masterton County. Council, and the Hobsou County Council. It was intimated that liearl.y 200 of these circulars had been seiit'out.

A letter was received from the N.Z. Patriotic Society on the subject, of recruiting.' The Mayor stated that about a month ago he heard in Wellington that a recruiting officer was to be sent to Petone, but nothing had come of it. Ho would be willing to lend all assistance iii his power if a suitable speaker visited Petone.

Councillor) Cox moved, pursuant to notice: "That, in view of the urgent need for melt for the N.Z. Expeditionary. Forces, the 'Hon. the Minister' of Defenco be asked if .it is correct that approximately' seventy per cent, of the riicn employd on the staffs of the various training camps established in Now Zealand are single men, without encumbrances, and if so, will he take stejis to remedy this undesirable state.of affairs." In speaking to the motion,' Councillor Cox said if this state of things existed, and .lie understood that it did, it was most undesirable. They wero continually being told to economise, but- no one urged the economy of men. We had a million population, and about one in 25 had volunteered, in- twelve months' time the amount would be one in H. He suggested that these positions could well be taken by men who had some slight physical disability. Councillor Anderson "thought it would have been better had. the mover dealt with the non-employment of single men by the council. He doubted if the positions could be easily filled in the Defonce Department. Councillor '.Brocklebank spoke in favour of the motion,- and the Mayor added that it was quite, a proper motion to put, as they'had, the-iiir formation supplied, but wished to obtain information. The motion was carried.