HUTT BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Hutt News, Volume 1, Issue 18, 27 September 1928, Page 5

HUTT BOROUGH COUNCIL.

A meeting of the Lower Hutt Borough Council was held on Monday evening. Present: Mayor (Mr W. T. Strand) -Councillors A. Grierson, A. J. Hobbs, F. ■Campbell J. Mitchell, A. E. Carver, E. Waldie, W. J. JMeldrum, A. Mcßain -and Sir A. Roberts. The Petone Borough Council wrote stating that its engineer had been instructed to put Wakefield street in or■der, leaving tha question of future maintenance to be considered later. — .Received. The Petone Borough Council wrote stating that the resolution tad been passed in connection with the Wellington City and Suburban Water Supply Bill:—"That this Council has merely objected to the proposal to alter ' provisions in the principal act which. were inserted for the purpose of overcoming the objections raised by this -Council and in consideration of which -this Council agreed to the passing of the Act. The Petone Council is viable lo see how this casts upon it any-obli-gation to propound a scheme."—•Received. The Department of Lands and {Survey wrote forwarding a plan of the Wilford Settlement, Petone, and pointing out that sections 1 to 14, fronting on Wakefield Street are separated from ifche rest of the area by the railway line, which makes it almost impossible -for the Petone Borough Council to : give services such as sewerage and ■water, and asking if the Lower Hutt "Borough Council would consider granting permission to the joining up with the services already provided by . this Council along Wakefield Street and if so, under what conditions. The Engineer stated that a good many of the houses could be connected, and he was enquirying into the others. Cr. Grierson said the Council should make the connection if at all possible in the interests of health. Cr. Mitchell thought that the cost should be borne by the Petone Borough Council. The Mayor stated that the Petone Borough Council had benefitted a good deal from thatT locality and should bear the cost. The matter was one of policy. Cr. Mitchell moved that the Lands and Survey be notified that the Council is agreeable if satisfactory terms can be made with the Petone Borough Council. The Mayor seconded.—Carried. The Lower Hutt Free Kindergarten -Association wrote making application for a grant towards its work. C. Mcßain stated that the Kindergarten Association was doing excellent work. The Mayor moved that a donation of £20 be voted. Cr. Campbell seconded.— CSaTried. The Hutt Cricket Club wrote applying for the use of the Recreation Ground on the same terms as last year. Cr. Mcßain moved that the request "Ibe granted. Sir A. Roberts seconded. —Carried. BATHS The Committee reported as follows:— (1) N.Z. Swimming Championships. —Attention has been directed to the fact that the Wellington Centre which is this season conducting the New Zealand Swimming Championships^ has decided to hold the whole of the events at the Te Ara Baths to the exclusion of the Riddiford Baths, and the matter ■was immediately taken up with the Centre to endeavour to obtain one, if •not two, of the Championship meetings -at Lower Hutt. The subject is still the ■matter of correspondence between the -Centre and the Council. (2). Heating and Tiling the Baths. —Your Committee is of opinion that •the patronage of the Baths could be greatly increased by completing the -tiling and also installing heating appliances to raise the temperature of the -water approximately 10 degrees. It i estimated that the tiles to cover the "hot-torn of the bath to cost £450 to which must be' added the labour; while a "uotation has been obtained for the inll^lillation of the necessary heating ap plianee at cost of £440 such plant to "be capable of raising the temperature of the water 10 degreesin twenty "hours. In this estimate no provision is made for the brick chimney or any ex -cavating work which will be necessary ~bo drop the boiler about 18 inches bellow the lowest point of the baths. Endeavours have been made to ascertain what the running cost of this installation would be, without success, but the fact must not be lost sight of that the installation of a heating plant, such as suggested, will increase the wages in' -connection with the baths. Your Com-

mittee places these facts before the Council with a view to an expression of opinion as to whether in the circumstances tht> proposed expenditure would be justified and if so, to make provision for the necessary funds. (3). Work at the Baths. —The floors of the dressing sheds have been laid with no fall, consequently a great deal of labour is entailed in cleansing operations and on tho recommendation of the Custodian your Committee has authorised the re-grading of the floors referred to. Your Committee has also authorised the placing of wire netting over the windows of the room in the basement, such windows being on ground level of Riddiford Park, and in consequence the glass has suffered at the hands of the children playing in the vicinity. (4). Opening of tho Baths. —As the date of the opening of the Baths for the season depends largely upon the weather conditions the matter has be'en left in the hands of the Chairman of the Committee and the Town Clerk to arrange. The Mayor moved that No. 1 be filed for further reference. In regard to No 2 they should get a detailed estimate of the total cost of the installation; and an estimated amount of the annual cost of running. Medical men did not favour tepid baths until the bnths were properly closed in. Full information was required before the Council could intelligently debate the subject. The motion was carried. The report was adopted. BY-LAWS COMMITTEE The Committee reported as follows:— Slogans.—The Lower Hutt Business Men's Association has written suggesting that Slogans be erected at t.he entrance to the Borough, "Welcome to Lower Hutt" to be placed on the incoming side and "Come Back Again" on the outgoing side. It is further suggested that these slogans be erected at (a) Park Avenue, (b) Intersection of Randwick Road and Park Road, (c) Cuba Street, (d) Hutt Road. Your- Committee has replied stating that if the Association cares to erect the notices, it would recommend the Council to approve, provided the erection is done under the supervision and to the satisfaction of the Borough gineerThe report was adopted. FINANCE COMMITTEE The Finance Committee reported as follows:— .. Sundry Debtors.—The Town Clerk was being experienced in collecting small amounts owing for such work as clearing blocked drains, removal of dust and refuse etCj and suggested that authority be given to place the accounts in the hands of the Borough Solicitor for collection. It was resolved that the Town Clerk be given tho authority asked for such authority to apply to all amounts outstanding as at 31st March 1928. Land Acquisition Loan. —Your Committee has to report that the balance of this loan, £8,000 falls due on the Ist October! While there is a sum of £2,740 in hand { the balance is not due on the resale of the property for some time, and your Committee has given, instructions that the Mortgagees are to lie given an opportunity to make other arrangements and should they be unable to do so, the necessary steps will be taken to re-raise the balance of £5,000. Accounts.l—Your Committee has to report having approved of accounts paid amounting to £11,454 18s Id and passed for payment accounts amounting to £2,348 15s 2d, as per lists attached. The report was adopted. GENERAL BUSINESS Cr. Grierson asked if full information would be supplied to the committee olected at the public meeting to make enquiries about borough rates and finance. The Mayor stated that all information avouM be supplied. At the Hutt Borough Council on ?>londay evening the Borough Engineer reported that he was continuing his investigations in reference to storm water, and waste water from houses find ing its way into the Te Mome Creek. Investigations up to the point have disclosed the fact that 16 dwellings are discharging waste -water into the creek, and at the same time it was discovered that the storm water of twelve dwellings is being discharged into the foul sewers. It is proposed gradually to tost the whole of the old system on similar lines and to notify the owners of such premises as are found to be wrongly connected to remedy the matter within reasonable time; such action should tend to improve the situation to a considerable degree.