HUTT COUNTY COUNCIL.

Otaki Mail, 15 February 1922, Page 3

HUTT COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING-.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Hutt Comity Council was held yesterday at Wellington. Present: Crs. J. Barclay (chairman), A. I. Mackey, A. R. Edwards, J. Whiteman, H D. Atkinson. CLERK’S REPORT. The Clerk (Mr A. J. McPherson) reported that as tlie result of notices sent out during tlie past month the sum of £-1378 had been received in rates, while the overdraft had been reduced from £10,157 to £0748. It was decided to make endeavours to secure further overdue rates, the Clerk considering if summonses were issued defaulters would pay. Some accounts, he said, had been outstanding for long periods, £2OOO was still outstanding'.—-It was decided to make endeavors, as suggested by the Clerk, to secure overdue rates. Insnector’s Renort.

uiispecTOi s report. Mr Cudby (Inspector) reported that 1336 ft. of Oregon pine hud been sent to Fakuratuhi for bridge repairs, while a consignment of jarrah timber had been sent to Whareroa, where bridges and culverts had suffered considerably through heavy traffic. Other bridges in various parts had been, repaired, while metalling had also been done. He recommended that a pipe drain be put in at Plimmerton instead of a small bridge, and that a drain complained of be filled in. A new pier had been placed under a bridge at Judgeford, and ■was now cpiito safe.—Report adopted. Accounts amounting to £657 were passed for payment. Or.. Atkinson moved and Cr. Edwards seconded—‘ ‘ That the Hut 1 County Council forthwith cause all necessary steps to be taken in accordance with Statutory . provisions to obtain an apportionment of the cost, of constructing (if any) and maintaining the Coun-1 ty road traversing the foreshore of the I

harbour of Port Nicholson and certain other lands and situate between the northern boundary of tlic Borough of Eastbourne and the southern boundary of the Borough of Lower Hutt among the Local Authorities of tho respective districts of County of Hutt and City of Wellington, and do all filings necessary to give effect to the directions (if any) which the Governor-General may give in connection with these matters.” —Carried. 1 P.W. Department.wrote forwarding the Commissioner's finding in connection with the Stokes Valley and Pakuratahi bridges.—Received. A communication from the Lands and Survey Department requesting the remission of rates on Crown property held by S. 11. Adams, of Mungitroa, who was an invalid soldier, and unable to keep up payments. —Cr. Edwards moved the application should be turned down, and that the Clerk make demand for the lates. He stated that the Crown had been well paid and that the | land could be sold at a big price even now.—Motion carried. Hutt Valley Power Board wrote forwarding petitions for the respective ridings and requesting that the signatures be. obtained for same. —The Clerk stated that the signatures of one-fourth of ratepayers ou the roll would have to be secured which he considered a big undertaking.—Cr. Mackay said he had himself secured the necessary signatures for the Paekakariki district, while the Chairman considered in his riding the necessary signatures could be secured in one day.—Left to the Clerk to make necessary arrangements to secure signatures. Messrs Kidd, Holtoni and Salter, representing the Paekakariki Ratepayers’ Association, waited on the Council and complained of tho pipe ■ line beijig deviated after being laid down by the Engineer. Further, water was due oil January 15th, yet was not available. Mr Salter said he had asked the foreman certain question, but had not got logical answers which he was entitled to. He asked when was the water to be turned on, and considered it reasonable that those now connected should have the water, especially as thero was a water famine at the present-time. Mr Holtom asked ljhv was the original

plan deviatedjte's ■ " J Mr Scott, foreman for Mr LaingMeason, said the work was delayed J through wet weather and through wait- . ing for fittings. He thought the work . had been- done as quickly as possible. As far as the deviation was concerned jt was he -who had suggested it, and he ( considered, it'had proved beneficial. At this stagy-.thoro was a cross argument. bQtw-ep|l|bo' deputation and Mr ’ Scott, and tjbe.GJiairman was obliged to ask them tovkeppT.o the matter in dis- . pute; personalities, he said, were not wanted. • The. Clerk thgp explained the by-laws dealing with ;fchedmatter and said the Council could^ppt- fin elude a larger area than ..at,present' mapped out. Mr ,J3eolj£.cohsylcred the deviation ( waj i; than -if] put it fideep cuttings-and possibility ’ ./gf-slips, etc. ■ ' ' : * - Cr. Mackay said-as regards the deviation it was not laid off across the face of the terrace; only sighting pegs had been put in. He had been on the j' works on several occasions but com- j plaints had not been made on certain j matters till now. He thonght an out-j side supply should be granted as it! would reduce the Tates of others, especially as there would be water run- 1 ning to waste. There was a large sup- i ply that would run down the creek and ' this was why he suggested Campbell! should get a supply. If connections were made he saw no reason why residents should not make them provided they word supervised by Mr Scott. ; s It was pointed out that several connections had -been made by residents, and it was agreed to allow them to remain, provided they were passed by an inspector. Th# Chairman objected to r others going on with such work —ha thonght tha by-lawE should be adhered a to, ■ ;•! ■ ,

Cr. Mackay moved that the pipes already in, if approved by the Council's Engineer, be allowed to remain, any further connections made to be left to the discretion pf tho Inspector.—Agreed to. Mr Scott spoke highly of assistance rendered by Cr. Mackay, Further arguments followed, but were cut short by Cr. Edwards moving an adjournment for lunch.