“DISGRACE TO BOROUGH”

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12611, 23 November 1926, Page 3

“DISGRACE TO BOROUGH”

HUTT COUNCIL’S BUILDINGS SCHEME FOR IMPROVEMENT ENDORSED AMALGAMATION WITH PETONE The Lower Hutt Borough Council met last night, the Mayor (Mr W. T. Strand) presiding. Also present were: Councillors A. Mcßain. W. Meidrum, H. G. Teagle, L. T. Watkins. J. Mitchell, A. Grierson, H. J. Hobbs and E. W. Hunt. In discussing the proposed drainage of Knight’s estate and Waterloo road. Councillor Hobbs hoped that within the next 18 months the council would be joined with the Petone Borough for the benefit of the district. There were several things to be done, and when the two councils amalgamated work could quickly go ahead. “So far as the new council offices are concerned, however, I believe that under the circumstances we should wait until we both join up. We would then know what to do,” he added. ‘‘That time, I hope, will not be long, and then we can go thoroughly into the matter of new council offices.” The Mavor expressed the desire to see provision made for the proper housing of the staff and tlie council generally. “it is not right to ask anyone to take this office over with the lack of conveniences that the borough possessed to-day,” he said. He felt if a civic centre was decided upon it would be established in the proper place. For the size of the borough, the present building was inadequate, and at times he did uot like to take visitors through it. AN URGENT WORK I That the present building was i | disgrace to the borough, was the opinI ion expressed by Councillor Teagle. j He considered tlie proposed work was I urgent, and should be gone on with. 1 Councillor Hobbs thought that the work could be postponed until such time as the amalgamation of tho two boroughs had taken effect. It was decided to adopt the principle of the estate committee's recommendation to the effect that the council submit a proposal covering the erection of the offices portion of the projosed new Town Hall and municipal offices, the plans to make provision for tlie erection of the hall at a later date. FACILITIES FOR MOTORISTS “I don’t suppose there is part of New Zealand that has many places that can so easily hi* made available for camping sites a* the Wellington district. Yet there »** | no place that has done less in thS direction than this district, remarked the Mayor, when a letter was receive) from the Wellington Automobile Clu!> inviting the council to appoint a dele gate to attend a conference, on November 29th, for the purpose of considering the question of camping si to and parking places for motorists. Tho Mayor and Councillor L. T Watkins were appointed to represent the council at tho conference. / It was agreed to support Mr II Ingham in his appeal to the recently appointed Motor OnraibuA Appeal Board against the decision of the City Council in refusing him a license 1 1 conduct a ’bus service between Wellington and the Hutt. It was decided to support the Ixnw r Hutt Business Men’s Association in their request to the Post and Telegraph Department for tlie installation of a slot telephone to the lorn! exchange, and to be erected in the vicinity of the Post Office. Councillor L. Watkins took tho opportunity of presenting the lloyiil Horticultural Society’s medal in the council for the of flower* exhibited at Cm r-' nt llfa ( I'"*"-'' Show, and taken lrom tnu cn m gui'dvus