BY-LAWS COMMITTEE

Upper Hutt Weekly Review, Volume I, Issue 22, 15 May 1936, Page 2

BY-LAWS COMMITTEE

Baches.— The chairman of the By-laws Committee (the Mayor) stated the committee had gone thoroughly into the matter of the report brought down by the Inspector last meeting dealing with baches, and recommended that the Town Clerk ask the Director of Town Planning to draft a by-law having for its object the control or prohibition of the erection of baches in such areas as the Borough Council may from time to time determine. Also to indicate the type and description of such structures as would be permissible under the British or Dominion housing schemes. The report was received, and the motion carried that the recommendations be adopted. SEPTIC TANKS. A further report from the ByLaws Committee stated that they cannot find anything in the Eastbourne, Levin, Lower Hutt, Petone, or Stratford By-Laws indicating that any provision for compelling installation of septic tanks in halls or other public buildings. The Health Department can submit a draft by-law on the subject but the District Health Officer is not prepared to say that provision of septic tanks can be enforced in every hall. An application to install a septic tank on one "Public Building" area has been refused by the District Health Officer since last meeting of the Council. On the motion of Councillor Greig, seconded by Councillor Guthrie, the report -was received. WHITEMANS VALLEY ROAD BRIDGES. A special committee was set up to consider the question of Kiln Road and Whitemans Valley Road bridges.

Members: His Worship the Mayor, Crs. Baskett, Howell and Purvis. A full explanation of the proposals submitted to the Loans Board and District Railway Engineer by order of the Borough Concil with plans and estimates was n:ade by the Mayor. After full discussion and reference to correspondence with the Hutt County Council and its refusal to make any contribution, the chairman was authorised to obtain information as to the cost of concrete traffic bridges erected on Main Highways by the Public Works Department, capable of carrying present and future motor traffic on the Whitemans Valley and Kiln Roads giving access to isolated portions of the Hutt County. On obtaining such information the committee will meet to draft a memorandum to be submitted to the Hon. Minister for Public Works -with a view to obtaining an order under the Public Works Act on the Hutt County Council as its proportion of the cost of building new bridges or the construction of works to eliminate one or more of them. Councillor Guthrie objected to the chairman having the authority to get whatever information was required, as according to his notice of motion, which was adopted at the last Council regular meeting, it was decided that all correspondence emanating from the Council should be done through the Town Clerk. The Mayor: The only thing is that I am in a position to get whatever information is required, whereas the Town Clerk in his official capacity cannot. Councillor Greig: I don't see why the Town Clerk cannot get the information required.

Councillor Purvis : It is a matter of wheels within wheels.. Councillor Howell supported the Mayor in this matter and stated that the committee had agreed to his getting what was required. Councillor Keys : I admit that under the circumstances it is perhaps the only "way we will get the information that is required, but the notice of motion was carried, and this is a direct contradiction. Councillor Blewman: I suggest the Town Clerk be authorised to get the necessary information and then it would be put in order. The Mayor said it would never be given if left to the Town Clerk in his official capacity. Councillor Baskett agreed that the Mayor should obtain the information required. Councillor Keys moved that "the report be adopted, but in future the notice of motion be carried out to the letter." The Mayor suggested that the report be received only and this suggestion was agreed to. WAR MEMORIAL. Councillor Blewman asked the Mayor if he could say how much money was raised some years ago towards a war memorial for the district. He had been asked on Anzac Day by members of the Returned Soldiers' Association to see if something could not be done about a memorial. The Mayor: There was only £5 4s. 3d. raised. What can you do -with that?

The Town Clerk said there were many promises and one was for £SO. He did not think they would be difficult to collect. It was decided that the Town Clerk bringdown a report at the next meeting. Councillor Howell asked about the removal of the Silverstream Fire Station, and was informed the matter was held over until the Fire Prevention Committee met. Councillor Greig asked if there was any furthei* progress in opening up the new road between Exchange Street and Ebdentown Road. The Mayor replied that the title had not been handed over yet. Councillor Purvis asked the Custodian of the Maidstone Park if the grass on Maidstone Park had been cut yet, as the players were complaining. Mr. Dalton replied that it had been too wet to put the motor mower on it, but as soon as possible it would be done. NOTICE OF MOTION. Councillor Guthrie moved : (a) "That in view of the acute shortage of houses in the Borough and the desire of a large number of persons who would make their homes in this district if houses were available, the Council approach the Prime Minister to have the Borough included in his Housing Scheme." (b) "That the Borough Inspector be instructed to bring down a report on all Public Halls in the Borough, such report to bear on the general cleanliness

sanitation and sviitability of the purpose for which it is used, conditions and means of exit and how maintained during times of entertainment, and any suggested improvements on either of these aforesaid matters." Councillor Guthrie stated that quite a number of people had been to him lately enquiring for houses, and he was" quite sure they would make their homes here if there were - ho vises available. "We -would be keeping in step with the times if we could get the scheme inaugurated in this district," concluded Councillor Guthrie. Councillor Greig, in seconding the motion, stated that he would like to see houses built, but they had not yet seen the Bill to know what the housing scheme was. The Mayor suggested that Councillor Guthrie bring forward his notice of motion when the Bill came before the House. Councillor Guthrie: 1 am quite prepared to conform to your wishes, but I thought that when the Minister was framing his Bill we could go into the matter. It was decided that the member for the district, Mr. B. Roberts, be asked to procure a copy of the Bill and send to the Council to go into details. With reference to the second notice of motion for a report on all public halls in the Borough, it was decided on the motion of Councillor Guthrie, seconded by Councillor Purvis, that it be adopted.