MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9088, 13 May 1908, Page 5

MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

ORDINARY MEETING. The Maaterton Borough Council met last evening. Present— The Mayor (Mr P. L. Hollings), and Cra J. H. Pauling, J. Elliott. J. Hunter, A. Haughey, W. Pragnell, J. C. Ewington, J. Prentice and J. Yarr.

A letter was received from Mr J. Dawson, with whom the Council had dealings some time ago in regard to the installation of a fire alarm system foi the Borough. Mr Dawson stated that he had purchased the apparatus for the service which was stored in Wellington. A resolution had been previously passed terminating the contiact, and the letter was "received." A letter was read from nine residents of Macara street asking that the thoroughfare be improved and that the residents be given the opportunity of participating in the benefits of the drainage system.— The letter was referred to the Works Committee, to be considered when the estimates are framed. A letter received frorr Mr T. Chamberlain inquiring as to the ownership of a gravel pit was left to the Mayor and Town Clerk to reply to. An account for £J7S was received from Mr G. Laing-Meason, C.E., in respect of the recent report furnished by him. and the work done at the headworks. Cr i'auling said the extra £25 was £lO in excess of what he understood Mr Laing-Meason intended to charge for the headworks. On the suggestion of the Mayor it was resolved to hold over payment of the account until the report of Mr Laing-Meason was discussed. Mr C. Lang, of Wright street (Yates' estate) wrote asking that his residence be connected with the water service. A discussion ensued as to whether the Council was justified in extending the water to the locality just now. Cr Haughey moved that the application be granted. Eventually a resolution was carried to refer the matter to the Works Committee, the Engineer meanwhile to report on the application. It was decided to leave over until the meeting of the Works Committee the question of taking over the roads in Yates' estate. It was resolved to rescind a resolution which imposed a charge of £l2 for asphalting the right-of-way behind Academy buildings, the Council being satisfied that the money had been paid. It was resolved to affix the seal of the Council to Mr Hunter's lease of the right-of-way. The Engineer was instructed to have Walton Avenue put into better repair.

Cr Hunter moved that Crs Ewington and Elliott be appointed a subcommittee to manage the Park. He said the Park had been well looked after in the past, and it was desirable that this good work should be continued. C'r E'wington suggested to add the mover's name, which was done. Crs Pragnell and Haughey contended strongly that this was the thin end of the wedge to break up the committees as constituted at last meeting. The motion was carried on division, on the casting vote of the Mayor. Crs. Pauling, Haughey, Pragnell, Prentice and Yarr, opposing it. Cr Pragnell then moved that a sub-committee composed of the old Works Committee should set up to look after the works of the Borough. After a short discussion the motion was put and lost on the voices.