News and Notes.

Hutt News, Volume 1, Issue 3, 6 May 1927, Page 1

News and Notes.

At the last meeting of the Hutt River Board, the opportunity was taken of farewelling Mr. J. Mitchell (a member of the Board) who is leaving on Sunday next, with Mrs. Mitchell, on a visit to England, via Vancouver. ■"*■ * * * The businesses in the Hutt are rapidly increasing. This week we have pleasure in introducing Mr. Frank Thomas, who is opening a cash drapery store opposite Bank of New Zealand. Mr. Thomas has been a resident of the Hutt for many years, and knows the people antf their requirements. For ten years Mr. Thomas has been prominently associated with Messrs. Ross & Glendfning, and his intimate knowledge of the wholesale trade should enable him to provide his customers with the very best value. * * * The cost of Riddiford Park to date is about £2590, and the Government L aJ U c aoA on at the Present time is £1d,590. * * * Sneaking on street widening recently, the Mayor gave it as his opinion that the policy of compensation was wrong, and gave instances where the policy of purchase of properties for that purpose had proved very satisfactory. - * * * While we are quite ready to admit the Council have done excellent work on certain streets where bitumen has been laid, we would point out that the roads from Ludlam Crescent, Whites Line and Back Waiwetu are positively dangerous. It is no excuse

for the Council to say that Ludlam Crescent will be attended to when the road is widened. The residents should insist on the work being attended to as a matter of urgency. It is positively dangerous, and unless it is soon attended to, there will surely be an accident. We also think the residents of Nikau and Wainui Avenues deserve a little more attention than they are getting. White's Line and Back Waiwetu Road are equally dangerous for motor traffic, and should certainly have some attention before the winter.

As an instance of the efficiency of the Borough Council staff, the Mayor stated at a recent meeting, that although the expenditure had increased from £20,930 in 1923 to £90,850 in 1926, the cost of administration had decreased from 5 per cent.. to 2 per cent. It was further stated that 690 building permits had been issued during the last twelve months.

Sir Alexander Roberts recently suggested that the local Horticultural Society should offer a prize for the best kept garden in certain areas. The idea is an excellent one and should appeal to every amateur gardener. We believe that if the Horticultural Society would organise such a competition the local nurserymen would be only too willing to supply the prize, in the shape of shrubs, bedding plants, trees, etc., possibly supplemented by a souvenir medal from the Society. We would very much like to see this idea carried out, in say, the Mandel settlement for a start. If there are any cottage gardeners in that area who would like to enter such a competition, they should communicate with the Horticultural Society's Secretary, P.O. Box 19.

When the Council candidates met recently to address the electors, it was quite conspicuous how anxious they all were to "rub it in" that the Hutt was the BEST Borough, had the BEST water supply, BEST health, etc., etc., of any town in New Zealand. His Worship the Mayor went further when he once more told the electors that they had the BEST Council in New Zealand. At times he goes so far as to say, we have the BEST municipal staff in New Zealand. We are tired of hearing these platitudes. Such remarks tend to make us parochial and to imagine all other centres pale into insignificance beside the Hutt. Doubtless people are talking "Hutt" to-day louder than ever before. We are proud of our town, and enjoy living here, but let us be fair and modest.

Some time ago an old and respected resident of the Hutt died. When the mourners were gathered round the grave they were asked if any of them would like to say a few words about the beautiful life of the deceased. There was a long pause, until at last one old Huttite said, "Well friends, if no one wishes to speak about our old comrade, I would just like to say a few words about this wonderful development of the Hutt, the finest district in New Zealand."

Chrysanthemum growers will be interested to learn that according to "Dominion" (with which is incoi*porated the "N.Z. Times") and the

"Chronicle," published two days later, the correct description for "William Turner," the champion bloom in all classes at the flower show, is as follows:—"Pale cream with very curly petals." Is this a case of great minds thinking alike, or mere coincidence?

Although this district, in common with many others, suffered a long dry spell last summer, ,no restrictions were placed on the use of water, and gardeners in the Hutt were allowed to use the hose to their heart's content.