HUTT BOROUGH COUNCIL

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2650, 22 December 1915, Page 6

HUTT BOROUGH COUNCIL

A meeting of the Hutt Borough Council was held last evening, the Mayor (Mr. H. Baldwin) presiding. Tlio Mayor regretted that he had been unable to attend the recent meeting of the Hutt Road Board, on account'of an important meeting of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. But judging from file Press reports,' it appeared that all present favoured the payment of. their allocations, and he presujned that tho Hutt Council would 1 fall into line.

'A discussion ensued on the question. Councillor Ball moved that before any payment ivas made the borough solicitor's opinion should be obtained. The mover stated that' on a 'previous occasion a legal opinion had suggested that tho case was not altogether hopeless. If this step was taken, the ratepayers could not then say that the council had not done everything possible to serve their interests.

Councillor Carver seconded the motion.

Councillor Brassel expressed the opinion that this step was merely "putting off the evil day. . Other councillors thought it was a waste of time and money. Councillor Hobbs mentioned that the council liad already paid a small amount,- hit the Mayor thought that this fact would hardly commit the coun-

cil. Councillor M'Dougall thought that any layman who read the Act carefully would understand the position thoroughly. Provision was made_ in the event of a body refusing to pay its share to put in a'receiving officer. The Mayor stated in reference to a remark by. Councillor Carver, to the effeot that the council would have- to faco the ratepayers, about the matter, that every opportunity had! been given to the ratepayers to support the Hutt and Petone Boroughs in their protests to having to pay such high allocations, hut there had been no response. In reply, Councillor. Ball said' that the apathy of the ratepayer did not absolve the council from their duty. He was not sure that obtaining an opinion was a waste of time and money.' As to the Aot itself, lie believed it was faulty, and for tliat reason he maintained that expert advice sliould be ■ obtained. The council was inclined'to think lightly of the matter, but he-, urged,- that; • the question was serious,'.and trusted that before dismissing the matter an opinion would be obtained. ' . ; The motion was lost hy 4 votes to 3. Regarding' the Hutt Park Road, it was agreed that subpect to the amount of £30 being handed over to the council for the purpose of putting the road in good order, the council should take over the road. , A case of scarlet fever was reported , in. tho borough hy the sanitary inspector.

Ethel Cadman, who is visiting New Zealand for the first time with the J. 0. .Williamson Royal Comic Opera Com. pany, is London born,-bred, and educated. Her musical education is the result of the teaching' at the' Guildhall School of Music from whence she graduated in the Moody-Mannors Opera Company, in which she was for three years prima donna. After this she was encaned by the late Georgo Edwardes .to play "Nathalie" in "TheMorry Widow and remained on ■ for the production of "The Waltz Dream," after which alio went to America .under Charles Froliman to play Sombra in "The Arcadians." She played two seasons in New York, and then toured the States. ■Returning to London, Miss Cadman played in "The Guides, of Paris." a revue at the Alhambra with music-of Offenbach's and later ill "Come Over Here." She does not- caie for revue work, lioivever, describing it as being too akin to variety, and not having the interest or charm of musical comedy.