MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIX, Issue 8118, 12 April 1906, Page 5

MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

ORDINARY MEETING. The ordinary meeting of the Masfcerton Borough Council waa held last evening. Tbe Mayor presided, and there were also present—Crs J. H. Pauling, J. Elliott, T. G. Hoar, W. Morris, E. G. Eton, J. 0. Ewiugtou, E. Feist, F. W. Temple aud E. MoEwen.

A letter was received from tbe Secretary of the Masterton b'ootball Club, forwarding £l, ana asking permission to matce a charge at the Park gat<js on the occasion of the Club's football matob on Saturday. It was decided to only allow a collection to be taken up on the grounds.

H. Fraser made application for the renewal of the license of his two billiard rooms, in Queen Street. The application waa granted.

Ihe Secretary of the Masterton Club wrote drawing the Council's attention to the state of the footpath in Chapel Street between Cole and Renall Streets, on the west side. The drain in front of the Club's premises, which was supposed to carry off the storm water towards Queen Street, was inadequate, and consequently the water was backed into the ,Club's grounds. He also asked that more lamps be provided in that part of Chapel Street. The letter was .referred to the Works Committee.

A. P. Ralph wrote asking the Council to put a culvert in his property, section 15, of Bunny's Estate. The letter was referred to the Works Committee.

P. King and Son, made application for the gas mains to be extended along Hogg Crescent, as they desired to use the gas at their private house, and would, also, like to have it laid on to their foui 4 new bouses. They, also, requested the Council to remove the gas lamp, at present in front of Mr Betty's, to the telephone post at the corner of the street. The letter was referred to the Works Committee.

The Engineer reported that 'the Westport Coal Company had agreed to make a further reduction in the price at whioh they would supply ooal to the* Council. The reduction would be at the rate of 6d per von on the year's supply of 1,000 tons or over, and the Council were to have the risht to acquire, say, 100 tons of any other coal, if they so desired. The offer was subject to any alteratioh in the price of coal, unless the Council entered into a contract for a deHnite amount or period. The Engineer stated that, for bis part, he would advise the Council to enter into a written agreement, as he believed 'there would be a rise in ooal, if not this year, at any rate next year. The report was referred to the Gas Manager to report at the next meeting of the Works Committee. A. J. Parton, F. Whitfcon and H. Brightiug, wrote asking the Council whether it was their intention to continue the drainage sewer along Cornwall Street as far arj necessary to oonneot their premises—a distance of about four chains. The letter was referred to the Works Committee.

An application from Albert J. Parton for the gas to be extended to hie residence in Cornwall Street, was, also, referred to the Works Committee. With reference to the Minister of Miiea'reply to the Council regarding the establishment of a State ooal depot in \Masterton, Mr A. W, Hogg wrote stating that he had seen the Minister within the past few days, and he appeared anxious that the Council should take the matter in hand. It was, also, Mr Hogg's opinion that the matter should be taken in hand by the Council, and he submitted that as the Council could undertake the sale and supply of byproducts suoh as tar and coke, it should be able to add ooal as well. He was anxious that Masterton should lead the way in a movement that was designed to protect the community from exploitation by private mine-owners, and in asking the Counoil to consider the proposition, he was only giving expression to the almost unanimous wishes of the ratepayers and inhabitants. The Mayor said that the question was one that would require careful attention, and on his motion, it was referred to the Works Committee.

R. Judd and T. H. Rutherford wrote drawing the Council's attention to the state of the old Junction Road at Manaia, alocg the south boundary of the borough. The road became a veritable quagmire in winter, owing to the number of stook and sheep that passed over it, and they asked the Council to metal the road before the winter. As the matter was one that also effected the Masterton County Council, the Mayor was deputed to wait on the Council at their meeting to-day, and see what arrangements could be made.

A telegram was received from the Acting-Seoretary of the Postal Department stating that the Postmaster at Masterton had telegraphed making strong objections to the erection of the public convenience iu front of the Government aore. He wished the Counoil to take the matter into consideration, and if possible delay the work until there was an opportunity to discuss the question.

On the motion of the Mayor, seconded by Cr Fnist, it was decided tbat the Council could not accede to the request. Pursuant to his notice of motion, Cr Hoar moved that no oharge be' made to the Wairarapa Cricket Association and Wairarapa Rugby Union for the use of the Park Q"al other than the actual cost of to't> dressing and sowing same. JH 1 stated tnat the Council, iustead of making snort expensive, should make it .as cheap ,as , possible.' The cricket and fobtb&ll ' clubs were not rich bodies, and after meeting expenses outside the charge for the Park, they were practically bankrupt. He did not tbiuk the Council desired to make any profit out ot the cricketers and footballers. Those bodies were quite agreeable to pay for tbe top-dras9iug and oowing of the grass. The grass would have to be cut whether there waa any cricket played ou the Park or nut. Cr Pauling, in seconding the motion, endorsed Cr Hoar's remarks. After some discussiou the motion was lost on the voices. Mr C. A. Pownall waited on the meeting in connection with the proposed l-oad through Mr A. Caselberg's property iu Worksop Road. He asked tbat tbe Council meet Messrs Caselbee, W. li. Chennells and himself, on the site, so tbat the matter might be discussed and some definite arrangement arrived at. After Mr Posvnall had withdrawn, tbe matter waß discussd, and finally a resolution was proposed by Cr Eton, that the Council should meet Messrs Chennells, Caselberg and Pownall, in connection with tbe road formation. The motion was lost by seven votes to three, the ayes being the Mayor, and Crs Eton aud Hoar. On the motion of Cr Feist, seconded by Cr Morris, tbe Council then decided to establish a precedent, objecting to any property being cut up so as to form a blind road within tbe borough. The Mayor and Cr Eton voted against tbe resolution. The Council then adjourned.