MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8504, 7 August 1907, Page 5

MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

ORDINARY MEETING

The Mayor (Mr J. M. Coradine) presided over the ordinary meeting of the Masterton Borough Council last evening. The other members present were— Crs J. H. Pauling, J. Elliott, F. W. Temple, A. Haughey, W. Morris, W. Pragnell, J. C. Ewington, J. Prentice, and J. Yarr. The Secretary of the Technical School wrote conveying to the Council the hearty appreciation of the Managers for the sympathetic response and the munificent donations made on behalf of the scheme for the inauguration of a new Technical School for Masterton by the various local and other bodies of the town and district.

The Secretary of the Masterton Chamber of Commerce wrote conveying the resolution passed at the recent meeting of the Chamber protesting against the increased Customs duty on cast iron pipes of a greater diameter than five inches. Mr A. W. Hogg, M.H.R., also wrote with reference to the same matter, acknowledging receipt of the resolution of protest passed by the Council, and stating that he would do what he could to have the tariff altered. Mrs O'Neill wrote drawing the Council's attention to tne state of the road and water-table near the Queen's Hotel, and asking the Council to place a few loads of gravel on that portion of the street. It was decided to inform Mrs O'Neill that the matter would be attended to.

Mr W. G. Beard wrote, on behalf of Mr J. Macara, accepting the Council's offer of £550 for the 33„feet required to be taken from Mr Macara's land for the widening of Dixon Street, on the understanding that the unpaid purchase money bears interest at the rate of 5£ per cent until payment Cr Temple took exception to the rate of interest, which he considered was altogether too high. The Town Clerk stated that per cent, was the rate charged to the Council by the Bank. It was decided to accept Mr Macara's terms, and to fix the seal of the Council to the agreement. Mr R. K. Jackson, solicitor, wrote, on behalf of Mr James McKee, threatening to take legal proceedings for breach of contract unless the Council were prepared to make some satisfactory settlement in connection with the Herbert Street contract. The Council decided not to re-open the matter. Mr H. Iv. Walton wrote applying for permission to fill up an old water way through his property in Hogg Crescent, without putting in pipes. The matter was referred to the Works Committee. It was resolved to insure the Council's employees against accident for the forthcoming year with the Government Accident Insurance Department. The Mayor and Cr Yarr were appointed to consider a matter brought forward by the Ranger in respect to stock being released by owners when being taken to the pound. When the Gas Committee's report came up for adoption, Cr Ewington moved an amendment, in the direction of providing that, the cost of raising the £12,000 loan for the Gasworks and the first year's interest should be paid out of the Joan. After a brief discussion, the amendment was lost on the casting vote of the Mayor. Mr Z. M. Hoar agreed to give up his lease of the land in Hope Street, which the Council require for corporation yards, provided the Council removed one of his cottages on the site to another piece of land in Chapel Street and re-erected the building on piles. It wds decided to accept the offer.

It was decided, on the motion of Cr Temple, to instruct Mr W. B. Chennells to sell the River Road Reserve sections. The Works Committee were instructed to take into consideration the question of connecting Pownall Street with Villa Street. The Committee were also instructed to attend to repairs to the man-hole at the corner of Pownall and Cole Street. It was decided to hold a special meeting on Monday next to deal with special orders. Cr Yarr gave notice to move at the next ordinary meeting of the Council that the public cqnveniences in Hall and Pine Streets be removed.