HUTT VALLEY NEWS

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 93, 14 January 1935, Page 4

HUTT VALLEY NEWS

POINT HOWARD’S NEED Fire-fighting Facilities LACK OF WATER SUPPLY Some confusion appears to exist concerning the services of a lire brigade in the event of an outbreak iu certain parts of the Walnui-o-matu Riding, particularly at Point Howard, Lowry Bay. Recently the Alayor of Eastbourne, iMr. E. W. Wise, in an interview with , a "Dominion” reporter, stated that the Eastbourne brigade owed its first duty to Ils own district, and suggested that the Hutt County Councii sliouljl pay a retaining fee and so mtieli per turnout so that Eastbourne would attend to tires at Point Howard, which is in the Dutt County. Mr. Wise conveyed the impression that the Eastbourne brigade could please itself, as it were, whether it attended to fires at the Point. It appears, however, that the Hutt County, or at least the county clerk, is under the impression that there is a definite arrangement in existence, as the following extract of tt letter he sent to tlie town clerk nt Lower Hutt last March would indicate:— “With regard to the Wainui-o-mata Biding the council does not desire the Lower Hutt Fire Brigade to attend any fires in that area as satisfactory arrangements have been made with the Eastbourne Fire Brigade for attending to all fires in the locality. You will understand, therefore, that the Lower Hutt brigade is to attend to all fires north of lite borough and the Eastbourne brigade will attend to all tires south of the borough, including Mrs. Hartley’s (just beyond the south end of Sea view Road), and other properties.” That the present apparently confused arrangements were unsatisfactory was stressed by a resident of Point Howard yesterday. He emphasised the need of water for fire fighting purposes, and said that if a tire swept up the gorse-covered slopes on the northern side of the hill there was no means of combating it and saving the 80 houses on the Point. The absurdity of the situation was that when a lire brigade turned out it could do little more than look at the blaze, for they were not able to touch the large reservoir at Hie top of the hill. That reservoir, although situated at Point Howard, was not for the use of persons there, because the county council would not purchase the water from the Eastbourne borough, whose property the reservoir was.

Two years ago, it was pointed out, the chairman of the county council, Mr D R. Hoggard, addressed a meeting of the Lowry Bay West (Point Howard) Ratepayers’ Association, and as a result of the majority of the members accepting his facts and figures they voted against the water proposal. The resident stated that rates at the Point were very low at present, and in liis opinion it would be better for the people living there to pay a slightly increased amount for rates rather than continue the risk of losing their property through shortage of water. It is understood that a further meeting of ratepayers will be held shortly to discuss the question again. LOWER HUTT TRADE Objects of Chamber of Commerce Excellent objects of the Lower Hutt Chamber of Comuierce are contained in a book issued recently under its auspices. The objects are as follow : The betterment of all lawful means of trade. The elimination of distrust through tlie cultivation of confidence and proper relations among traders. Advertising the town and encouraging the residents to do their shopping locally. Encouraging any project that may be of service to the business people of the community at large in the direction of increasing tlie co-operation among tlie commercial interests. Watching over the administration of civic affairs. Cultivating social intercourse and friendship among and protecting the interests of the commercial community. in conversation with a member of (lie executive it was learned that tlie shopkeepers of Lower Hutt were not giving tlie support they should to the chamber. Very few of them attended the meetings called to deal with their own interests. It was mentioned also that ti number of them seemed afraid to stock their firms for fear of goods being left on their hands. As a result shoppers transacted a lut <>f business in the city, because there was not the wide selection of goods at Lower Hutt. HUTT VALLEY CRICKET Following are results of matches played under control of the Hutt Valley Cricket Association ou Saturday afternoon : — A Grade. General Motors A, 194 for seven wickets. declared (H. Bromley 32. Lode 3S retired, Wellington 61 not out), beat Randwick, CO and 57 (Erroll 26). Bowlin <' for General Motors, Wellington took live for IS and one for 8. Pegler four for 6 ... Mutters United. 163 lor nine wickelc> (\ Cliudleigh 56). beat Woollen Mills, 98 (Walker 22 not out). Bowling for Metiers L’uited. A. Cliudleigh took three for 9. R. Cliudleigh two for 11. Grace two for 8. Hillock three for 12: while for Woollen Mills Radcliffe secured three for 18. W. Cafe two for 47. B Grade Y.M.C.A., 119 (J. Gardiner 52, Hume 291. beat Metiers United, 35 and 74 (Evans 38). Bowling for Y.M.C.A., Greenfield took four for 20, J. Gardiner five for 28. Hume four for 28, Cooke three for 5; while for Jietters United Evans secured seven for 31. Central. 184 (Ingham 57. Foreman 24), beat Taita B, 13 and 41. Bowling for Central. Wilson took six for 19 and three •or 18. Ingham two for 13 and five for 9; while for Taita B, Westbury secured five for .18. Allsop three' for 42. Taita A. 165 (Ciilliniore 58). beat General Motors D. 66 (McEwen 23) ami 30. Bowling for Taita. Wright took four for 14 and three for 12 Balls four for Some 250 persons attended the Heretaunga Boating Club’s dance, at Petone. on Saturday evening, when visitors'were present from a number of clubs in Wellington. Mae Robertson’s orchestra provided the music. Next Saturday the club will hold another dance, and a inouster night will be held ou January 21.