Public Halls.

Upper Hutt Weekly Review, Volume I, Issue 24, 29 May 1936, Page 1

Public Halls.

Councillor Guthrie at last month's meeting had moved a motion asking for a report upon the public halls and the Inspector's (Mr. Yarnell) report was received. Briefly, his report stated that in the case of the Silverstream Hall he was not satisfied with the construction of the gentlemen's lavatory and the manner in which it was taken care of. Howell's Hall he considered excellent, while the Druid's Hall and St. John's Schoolroom were satisfactory. At the Oddfellows' Hall the doors opened the wrong way. Th3y should open outwards and not inwards. The same error occurs in the Returned Soldiers' Hall. In the Record Hall the sanitary conveniences for both sexes needed improving. The Inspector recommended that they be reconstructed, also that the lining of the wall be extended and extra lighting be provided in the copper house with more ventilation. Majestic Theatre. The sanitary services are inadequate. The kitchen, which is placed between two conveniences, should be remodelled. Additional lighting and ventilation is required. Mayfair Theatre. In excellent order. Recently renovated and septic drainage. St. Hilda's Hall. Three exit doors should be altered to open outwards. The report was received. Councillor Greig asked if the Bylaws Committee could not enforce septic tanks. Councillor Keys: The District Health Officer would not allow a septic tank on one property recently owing- to insufficient ground space, and I take it that would apply to other properties having insufficient ground space. Councillor Greig: I don't think the Health Department have the final say in this matter. Councillor Sutherland: I would like to know why this matter has been brought forward every meeting since there has been dancing in one of the halls.

Councillor Purvis: No doubt the mover of the motion will explain. Councillor Keys : I have no doubt the mover was actuated by the highest ideals when he brought this motion forward, and I myself am far from satisfied with the sanitary arrangements of some of the halls. Councillor Purvis : I know of one hall which is disgraceful. Councillor Baskett: With reference to the Silverstream Hall, I believe the plans were drawn for that building and approved by the Council. The Mayor stated that the Health Officer had approved of the sanitary arrangement in the Record Hall. There was also a ventilator in the copper house. Councillor Keys: Do you infer the Inspector does not know his job? I think your Worship, as an interested party, should refrain from discussion on the Record Hall. Councillor Guthi'ie: As mover of the motion that the Inspector should bring down a report on all halls in the Borough, I was not actuated by any bias to anyone. I thought it was about time the halls so frequently used by the public were inspected by a competent authority. It is now our duty to carry out his recommendations for the safety and convenience of the public who patronise these halls. I move "that one month's notice be given to the owners or lessees of these properties to carry out the work as recommended by the Inspector. The Inspector to report to the Council in a month's time." Carried. Fire Brigade. The Fire Brigade report was received on the motion of Councillor Howell, seconded by Councillor Sutherland. It was resolved that no action be taken against the persons concerned re the recent chimney fire. The Inspector reported that the chimney had been pulled down and rebuilt according to his instructions. Works Committee. The Chairman of theJWorks Committee (Councillor Purvis) presented the following report from his committee to the Council for its adoption : 1. Snell, J. —Car-turning Point— Chatsworth Road : The committee recommends that the chairman and overseers confer with Mr. Snell re the car-turning point in Chatsworth Road, Silverstream. 2. Mrs. Gordon Trentham Hotel: The committee recommends the kerbing and channelling of Main Road and Mangaroa Road frontage, leaving three points of entry each 15ft. wide. The footpath to be formed to permanent level with boulder supports on the hotel boun-

dary. That application be made to the City and Suburban Highways Board to seal Mangaroa Road for half a chain. 3. Geange, K. and others —Creek: The committee visited the site and *• has to report as follows: The creek is wholly on private property and the concreting of the creekbed on Mr. Brown's allotment appears to have lessened the depth of its getaway to McLean Street. Representatives have been advised to come to a mutual agreement to place the creek alongside the railway fence. 4. Neighbours, L.—Martin St.: The committee suggests that if the spoil can be utilised, the Overseer be authorised to dispose of same from the front of Mr. Neighbour's property, Martin Street. Councillor Purvis moved the adoption of the report, seconded -by Councillor Greig. Councillor Purvis pointed out that Mr. Snell's property at Chatsworth Road was a turning point for all cars that go that way and consequently had made that portion of the road very bad. His committee recommended that gravel should be acquired to fill in that portion. Councillor Howell also supported Councillor Purvis in building up the road at that point, stating that he had been called upon to tow a car out of the rut and had to be towed himself, owing to the bad conditions there. The Mayor read a letter received by ths Council from Mr. Brown, of Kellow Street, who was not agreeable to diverting the stream from his property, as he had gone to much expense in concreting the bed of the stream. After discussing the whole of the clauses the report was adopted by ths Council. Reserves Committee. The Reserves Committee met the Upper Hutt Cricket League at their meeting at the Record Hall on 13th May, 1936. Present: His Worship the Mayor, Crs. Purvis and Keys (chairman). Apology from Cr. Sutherland. The committee recommends that netting, liin. mesh x 12 gauge, be procured for the football and cricket ground boundary fence. The committee recommends that when the Council procures a roller for i footpath purposes, that it also be made available for the preparing of cricket pitches. The committee i-e----commends that Mr. Dalton be advised to inform the Cricket League seven clear days beforehand, if the ground will not be available for cricket. The Reserves Committee promised to meet the Cricket League prior to the commencement ! of the playing season and make definite arrangements for the ensuj ing- year.

Councillor Keys stated that the j committee had gone fully into the j matter of the cricket grounds with i the Cricket League and he believed | that a suitable working arrange- j ment could be made with the Cric- i ket League for the coming season. | With reference to a floodlight on j the Soccer ground it was thought ■ that it would be possible for the i Soccer team to work on the Rugby ground when not in use by the Rugby Club. The Rugby Club uses the ground Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Councillor Guthrie: I move "that ■ quotations for placing a floodlight , on the Soccei~ ground be obtained from local electricians," seconded i by Councillor Howell and carried. >. Councillor Keys moved the adop- j tion of the Reserves Committee re- j port, seconded by Councillor How- | ell and carried. i PRINCES STREET. j Councillor Blewman asked if anything further had been done in connection with the tar-sealing of Princes Street. The Town Clerk replied that owing to extra work at Eastbourne, partly through the recent floods, the Highways Board had been unable to go on with this work, but he had received a communication from them stating that the work would be started within ten days. WAS IT A MEETING? Councillor Howell asked His Worship whether there had been a meeting of the Council called during the past week, and the Mayor replied in the negative. Councillor Howell: Well, sir, I have been informed that there was a meeting of some kind, but I did not receive a notice for it. Councillor Blewman: I attended a meeting but there was no business done. Councillor Keys: I was invited to a meeting, but when I heard why the meeting was called I would not associate myself with it. Councillor Sutherland stated that he was present but walked out when he heard why the meeting was called. Councillor Howell: What was the meeting called for ? Councillor Keys: The Mayor can tell you. The Mayor: We discussed water supply. Councillor Howell: Rot! Councillor Purvis: Do you think it is wise holding these hole-in-the-corner meetings without advising the whole Council?

Councillor Greig: I am partly responsible for that meeting. It was stated to me that the East Ward was not getting what they were entitled to. As long as I represent them I will ask the members of the East Ward to meet me at any time if they so desire. The Mayor: I wish to associate myself with Councillor Greig. It was done openly. Councillor Howell: There was a meeting of some kind held, yet I understood the Mayor to say there was not. Councillor Blewman: Nothing was done, but it is quite within the bounds of either Wards to hold a meeting to frame any suggestions to be brought forward at a Council meeting. It seems to me that we should get together and have one Borough and cut out the Wards. PUBLIC HALLS. Councillor Sutherland asked the Mayor if the members of the Public Service Committee could inspect any of the halls brought down in the Inspector's report. The Mayor replied that they could do so. Accounts. Accounts were passed for payment amounting to £554 12s lOd. Notice of Motion. Councillor Purvis moved the following notice of motion: "That all things being equal, bona fide residents of the Borough be given preference when applying for a position upon the Borough staff." The reason for bringing this notice of motion, stated Councillor Purvis, was that when we last advertised there were 32 applications and they did not get a fair go as the Mayor had stated that only ratepayers be considered. The Mayor: There was no dissent to it at the meeting. . Councillor Blewman: I suggest

that a man with a family should have been given a chance. Councillor Greig seconded the motion and after further discussion it was carried. The Council went into committee at 9.45 p.m.