MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9042, 18 March 1908, Page 5

MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

ORDINARY MEETING

The Masterton Borough Council met last evening. Present—His Worship the Mayor (Mr J. M. Coradine), Crs J. H.' Pauling, J. Elliott, F. W. Temple, A. Haughey, W. Morris, W. Pragnell, J. Prentice and J. Yarr.

Leave of absence was granted to Cr J. C. Ewington.

Cr Temple wished to know why the plans for the municipal stables had been put into the hands of private architects to draw un when the work was so small and tho amount involved so little.

Cr Pauling stated that the plana were given to a private firm on account of the clerical and engineering staff being fully occupied through a member of the staff being away. The Works Committee's report was read in which the tender of W. Dowling, at £l2 10s per chain (for glazed earthenware pipes), and £l6 per man-hole for the sewerage extension in Hall Street was adopted. The cost of tha whole work being £39 10s more than was available, it was decided to debit this to the general account. No tenders being received for the winter supply of fodder, it was decided to advertise for the same. Accounts amounting to £l3l 12s 5d were passed for payment. Cr Temple, speaking to the report, said he thought the Council would not be well advised in advertising for tenders for the supply of wintsr fodder when the market was so unsettled and the price so high. Cr Morris did not agree with Cr Temple's remarks on this point, saying that he knew positively that southern oats were being landed in Masterton at 2s 9d and 2s lOd, and the Council were paying 3s 3d and 3s 4d per bushel.

The Committee's report was eventually adopted without amendment. Mr J Cavanagh wrote in reference to a question of a settlement between the Council and himself regarding his house. Tne lettsr was received.

A letter from Mr H. Cole, regarding the detention of his deposit of £lO made as a guarantee that he would carry out his coal-carrying contract was referred to the Gas Committee.

Mr J. Stewart, a ratepayer, waited upon the Council in support of a letter of his applying for employment on the outside staff of the Council. The Mayor asked the applicant if he had ever applied to, the Borough Engineer for work. Mr Stewart replied that he had applied to the working overseer only, being under the impression that he was the official who had the taking on of hands. After some discussion, the applicant was referred to the Engineer.