MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9145, 22 July 1908, Page 5

MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

ORDINARY MEETING. The fortnightly meeting of the Mastertnn Borough Council was held last evening. There were present the Mayor (Mr P. L. Hollings), and Crs J. H. Pauling, J. Elliott, J. Hunter, A. Haughey, W. Morri?, W. Pragnell, J. C. Ewington, J. Prentice and J. Yarr. Messrs H. C. Robinson and J. Miller waited upon the Council, on behalf of the Trustees of Yates' Estate regarding the sewerage of the streets in the esUte. Mr Robinson stated that the trustees were agree able to deposit the sum of £3OO, for the purpose of the acceptance of a tender for the work, which he had been informed by a competent authority could be done for that sum. The Borough Engineer's estimate for the necessary work (£369) was, he believed, somewhat excessive, but the trustees were willing to pay whatever it cost, though they be lieved that the work could be done for less than £3OO. The Mayor stated that the trouble was that the Council did not have any outflow drain for the sewers in the street to drain into. It was not so much a question of cost but a question of convenience. Mr Robinson then desired that, in view of the trustees having how an offer to do the work for £3O0 —in fact less, £2BO-—the trustees should be allowed to pay £3OO and be relieved of further responsibility. It was eventually resolved to accept a deposit of £3OO from the trustees on the latter agreeing to do the work when the Council desired, providing that if the Council were not prepared for the trustees to go on with the work within three years the Council to do the work itself and keep the deposit. The Council iheri passed a resolution deciding to approve of the dedication of the roads in the estate. Thp deputation formally thanked the Council and withdrew.

An amendment to the Ga3 Committee's report, that all transfers in accounts go before the Gas Committee before coming before the Council, WBs proposed by Cr Elliott and carried, Cr Haughey dissentinsr. It was decided to amend the Works Committee's report to allow of tenders being called for the leas ing of ,the waterworks reserve instead cf a tender dealt with at the meeting being accepted. Mr J. Scott wrote asking the Council to relieve him from his agreement to attend the Town and Council Clocks, the contract having expired on the oOth ult. It was decided to call for tenders for doing the work. It was resolved, on the motion of Cr Ewington, to remit the rates of an aged widow in George Street, who had been exempted for several years past. ' An opinion was received from Mr T. F. Martin, adviser to the Municipal Association, regarding the request of the Masterton Fire Board that the Council pay the Board ithe £2OO set down in the loan schedule for a borough fire alarm installation. It was decided to deal with the matter at next Works Committee meeting. It was resolved that the Kuripuni Street Widening Committee furnish a report for the next Committee meeting.

WORKS COMMITTEE REPORT-.

At the meeting,of the Works Committee, held on Tuesday, July 14th, there were present: —The Mayor and Crs Ewington, Haughey, Hunter, Morris, Pauling, Pragnell. Accounts totalling £1,748 11a Id, as set out in orders' on the Treasurer's book, were submitted and passed for payment. It was resolved that the Council borrow from the Council's bank, by way of overdraft, a sum not exceeding £6,0u0 for the year ending 31st March, 1909, and the Mayor and Councillor Pauling be empowered to interview the bank and arrange as to such overdraft. A claim was submitted from the County Council for the Borough's proportion of licensing fees down to 12th November, 1907, amounting to £6O 2s. On the motion of the Mayor it was resolved that the claim be settled.

An account from Mr James Scott of £l6 for maintenance for the twelve months to the 30th June, 1908, was passed for payment. A bill of costs was submitted from the Borough Solicitor in a sum of £1 Is for the defence of the poundkeeper in a prosecution for failing ,to keep proper accounts. The Acting Town Clerk was directed to roturn the account to the Borough Solicitor, repudiating liability. An application was received from the Very Rev Dean McKenna for an increased size of water supply to the Convent and Catholic School premises fro fin to lin. It was resolved that the application be granted. A letter was submitted from the Secretary of tha Association on the subject of additional water supply to the Park. On the motion of Cr Prentice it Was resolved that the letter be referred to the Park Committee for consideration end report. A letter was submitted from Mr Varnham complaining of straying cattle in Cornwall street, and the Acting - Town Clerk reported the matter was receiving attention at his hands. Offers were submitted from Messrs Edward Peters, jnr., C. Clark and R. Morris, to rent or lease the Waterworks Reserve, subject to an obligation for the rendering of certain services. On the motion of Cr Prentice, seconded by Cr Haughey, i 4; was resolved that the offer of Mr Edward Peters be accepted subject to the payment of £lO per annum and to the execution of an agreement for the required services to the approval of the Borough Engineer for the time being. If Mr Peters declines to enter into this arrangement then in that case the offer, to be made to Mr C. Clark. It was resolved that the question of Smith street widening be referred

ito a special committee consisting of the Mayor and Crs Hunter and Paul- . ing with the Engineer for report. The Acting-Town Clerk reported that judgments had been obtained for outstanding rates which with costs totalled £SB 10s, that the judgment orders had been disregarded and asked for instructions. It was resolved that the Borough Solicitor be instructed to take ouch steps as are necessary to recover the several sums on the judgment orders. A letter from Messrs Robinson and Hand Newton suggests! that the Borough Council should undertake to re-imburse their clients any sum in excess of the actual cost over the estimated cost of £369 for th 6 laying of the sewers in the streets in Yates' Estate. It was resolved that the request be acceded to provided the syndicate were prepared to undertake to reimburse the Borough Council any sum expended in exc°ss of the estimated cost, otherwise the committee recommend that the former resolutions be re-affirmed. The Acting-Borough Engineer was requested to report upon the estimated cost of putting these streets between the intersection of Dixon and Kirton streets in condition. The Acling-Borough Engineer was requested to report upon the construction of Cockburn street. An application was received from Messrs Cossar and Stewart for an extension of the main in High street. The matter was referred to the Act-ing-Borough Engineer for report. The Council adopted the above report with minor amendments.