DEPUTATION.

Hutt News, Volume 2, Issue 40, 13 March 1930, Page 7

DEPUTATION.

HAUTANA SQUARE RESIDENTS

INDIGNANT.

.About twenty > residents of Hautana includin^ravg^umtoer Of ladies, waited on the' Bo|dugn Council CnMonday evening to protest against tie suggested, alteration of the name ' ' square "to that of "street. '' In the absence of Or. Campbell, the deputation was introduced by Cr. Boyd.

Mr.-'H. S. Barron asked that the name square be retained for both sentimental and for historic 'reasons. He saiß that the name Hautana.was t>he Maori, interpretation of, the name of the original planner, Mr Hawthorne, and to change the name to street would adversely effect the selling value of their, properties; the^i*esidents »had taken great prid^ in' the surroundings and -had planted a number' of trees on their frontages, He suggested that a slight alteration of the numbering would meet the ease

Ma- Tainbiyn said that the deputation, •had come along not with any idea of hindering, but of helping the council in its effort to bring \the borough into line with modern town-planning m«r thods. Describing himself as a life student of geometry, Mr. Tamßlyn ex\ hibited a sketch plan of t&e area in question and went to great pains to convince his audience that a triangle can be a. square and that a four-sided figure is not the only form of square. In-conclusion he submitted that the name street would be a misnomer, and asked that t-hey b« allowed to retain the present name.

Mts Eeddington supported the deputioh. on "behalf of the ladies.* .

Mr. C. B. Barrett wished it to be understood that they; came not in the role of carping critics," but fully appreciative of Tthe excellent work aone. by tie Borough Council. As a solution of the diniculfy- he suggested .that the whole thoroughfare between , Bellevue Boad and Knights Boad might be designated Hautana S.quare,- this preference being acceded to on account of its great antiquity. From enquiries -he had found Jhat postmen had not experienced* any^ difficulty in distinguishing the square. The*'petition had been signed by the whole of the residents. . -The Mayor said »he was quite certain, the Council would give full 'consideration' to the request of: the residents; the alteration.had only been suggested so -as to arrive at some uniformity in street names. He made the suggestion. that if at the entrance to the' square a . sign. was erected "To Hautana Street^' it would avoid muci. confusion. Speaking of Mr. Tam-blyn's geo metrical argument, Sir Alex, said that in his school days he hadi been a niathematician, "but if I were a mathematical scholar and- Mr Tanublyn were my master, my hair would be turned grey." The Mayor thanked the deputation for its' attendance and said that the council's one-idea was to be help■ful.:- '; / •: • .-.• :: ' '.-■■ . , ' !.'•: Tie deputation then retired. ' . The suggestion of, the mayor that the 'respective names be not altered, b-ui; that the numbers be. made continuous was approved'by the council and was Teferred to the -by-la^ws coinniitte for

consideration,

Cr. Meßain thought frhat in- future' rather -.-more,, time- should be given to consideration when any. radical- changes were" contemplated and after th© committee ?s report had been received it should be fu% ventilated in the Press, so tiat the ratepayers might haye an opportunity to lodge .their objections'

Freida Shaw has arranged to conduct clasps in the Hutt arid' will be. pleased* to meet parents and' others interested ia St. James's Hall kt 10 a.m on Saturday HbXt. V- :