PETONE BOROUGH AFFAIRS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 42, 13 November 1917, Page 3

PETONE BOROUGH AFFAIRS

MEETING OF THE COUNCIL.

The fortnightly meoting of the Petone Borough Council was held last evening. The Mayor (Mr. J. W. M'Ewan) presided, and there were also present Councillors C. P. Brocklebank, W. Cox, J. Churchouse, J. Foster, D. M'Kenzie, E. H. Jones, and S. Newlands. The honorary socretary of the Petono branch of the Workers' Education Association waited upon the council, and asked that the library of the branch, containing about eighty-four reference books, be placed in the public library. At present the books are kept in the District High School building, which is closed at certain periods of the year. The request was granted. _ The council decided to accept an invitation to be present at thirty-fourth anniversary of the Methodist Church at Petone. . Advice was received' from the New Zealand Society of Civil Engineers. stating that the annual meeting of the society was to be held at WellinqtM this year, and requesting that facilities be given the borough engineer to be present. It was decided to allow Mr.«,A. Cowie (the borough engineer) to attend the meeting. A -letter was received from the headmasters of the Petone schools and from the Mother Superior of the Convent, pointing out the good that had been derived from tho establishment of a school library,' and asking' that a grant of I'lO be. made by tho council towards tho purchase of suitable books. It was resolved that it be a recommendation that the amount be placed on next year's estimates. The Prime Minister (the Hon. W. F. Massey) wrote, stating that he did not consider the suggestion that the Government should breed and graze stock with the object of supplying meat and milk at reduced prices a practicable one. Ho stated that ho was making arrangements so that any butcher recommended to him by a borough council might bo supplied with as much meat as he required for local consumption from the freezing stores, the price to bo the same as that paid by the Imperial Government, plus the usual charges for storage.

There was some discussion regarding the Prime Minister's letter, Councillor Cox said the levying of charged killed the question of supply. Councillor Newlands did not sea why citizens should be compelled to accept frozen, meat when thousands of sheep were beiijg slaughtered daily at the freezing works in' their midst.

Councillor Cox said that during the winter months there was very little stock available, consequently there waß not sufficient fresh meat to fill the demands made by .butchers, and he was of opinion that the time was not far distant when the public, would be obliged to consume frozon meat all the year round. It was eventually decided, on the motion of Councillor • M'Kenzie, that a reply be sent to the Prime Minister stating that the suggestion made bj the council was practicable; that the storage charges be cut out, and that when possible fresh meat be supplied. The General Manager of Kailways (Mr. E. H. Hiley) advised that during the absence of the attendant at the Lambtoh Eailway Station a lavatory at the station would be left open for the convenience of railway passengers without charge.

A further communication was received from Mr. Hiley, stating that guards of trains had been instructed to prevent schoolboys from riding in smoking carriages. lha Baker Motor Bus Company protested against a statement said to have been circulated by certain persons, to the effect that tho company had attempted to do harm to the borough service. It was decided to receive the letter. The Wellington Sinking Commissioner wrote, agreeing to the renewal of a Petone loan at 51 per cent, interest. It was decided to accept the offer. The rate of interest on . the loan previously was 5 per cent.

The committee set up for tho purpose of inquiring into a complaint made by the Wellington Woollen Company, that the company was not receiving its stipulated supply of water at tho mill, reported that after carefully considering the company's letter-and making an inspection of the reservoir and stream generally, the . committee recommended the council to reply to the company to tho effect that to the best ol the council's knowledge the quantity of water to be supplied according to the agreement was being supplied. In. so far as the maintenance of the company's dam was concerned the annual clean up would be made.