MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9159, 5 August 1908, Page 5

MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

FORTNIGHTLY MEETING

The ordinary meeting of the Masterton Borough Council was held last evening. There were present—Crs J. H. Pauling (in the chair), J. Yarr, J. C. Ewington, W. Prague!!, W. Morris, A. Haughey, J. Hunter, and J. Elliott. Mr A. P. Uawson, accompanied by Mr Wtii. Perry, waited upon the Council on behalf of the Solvvay syndicate, and submitted plans for the Council's approval, in which it was proposed to carry on York Street to the Sulway avenue extension. Mr Rawson staled that the work would cost several hundred pounds, and he asked the Council to give the matter urgent consideration. It was decided to refer the plans to the Works Committee, the Engineer to report on the proposed work in the meantime. Several objectors appeared to oppose the proposed taking of their land to widen Mabora Road. Mr E. Exell said that the area of land proposed to be taken from him was unfairly extensive—in fact, half as much again as should be. He was also losing a beautified area of land, and his front fence would be brought too close to his house. The Chairman pointed out that these objections were really only subjects for compensation. Mr Exell had not proved that the Council was doing wrong in proceeding to widen the road. Mr T. McElwaine objected because it reduced considerably the area of his section, and it would cost him a considerable sum to re-adjust his pro perty, as his residence was located on the section. Mrs E. Allsworth, Mr W. H. Allsworth junr., and J. Billington objected on similar lines. The Chairman pointed out to these persons that their objections could not affect the Council's intention, and it would be a matter for the Compensation Court to deal with. The objectors'then withdrew. Messrs J. B. Micheil and H. C. Robinson, of the Tru.st Land-; Trustees, waited on the Council to ask its approval to the right-of-way from Lincoln Road (next to Long's Meat Mart) into Chapel Street (next to Minto Villa). Mr Micheil stated that the right-or-way had really been approved about seven years ago, but there had been no record kept of it. It was now found necessary to come to the Council to get its sanction to every fresh lease. The Chairman said that it was necessary for' the Council to have a plan of the right-of-way before them, and further, the Trust would certainly have to asphalt the right-of-way. Other Councillors approved of the remarks of the Chairman regarding the asphalting. Eventually the matter was held over until a plan was brought before the Council.

BOROUGH WORKS COMMITTED

At a meeting of tho Works and Finance Committee of the Council, held on Tuesday week, there were present:—The Mayor, and Crs Elliott, Ewington, Haughey, Morris, Prentice, Yarr. It was resolved that the £3OO deposited'by the Yates Estate Syndicate be placed to deposit account and there held subject to the terms of the agreement. The Committee res".lved that the Gas Committee be requested to take into their consideration and report upon the question of a reasonable contribution to tho expenses of mak- ' ing the streets, after and in consequence of their street openings for gai purposes. An application was received from Mr Dobson for the amount of his salary from April Ist to April 15th inclusive.—lt was resolved that such salary be pa'd. A communication was received from the Diocesan Trustees, as owners of the land which the Council are seeking to acquire under the Public Works Act, that Mt was the intention of the Trustees to prefer a claim for compensation. The Select Committee appointed to report on the Kuripuni street widening, having failed to report to the Committee, it was resolved that Crs Hunter and Prentice be appointed to report to the Council at its next meeting what in their opinion would be the cost of moving all the houses on the line of tha proposed widening back so as to widen Kuripuni Street one chain and alternatively to widen to three-quarter chain. The Acting Town Clerk reported that a number of persons had disregarded a demand for payment for the supply of water to their premises by meter, notwithstanding a reminder that they had neglected so to do. The Committee have authorised the Acting Town Clerk to intimate to these persons that payment must be made at once of such sums, and in the event of their failing to make such payments that he be authorised to at once cut off the supply. An application, received from Mr Charles Lang, for an extension of the Borough water mains from Pownall Street into Tararua Street, so as to provide him with a supply of water, was granted. The Committee recommended that the tender of Mr A. Henderson, for the winding, maintenance and correct time keeping of the public clock at the Post Office, and oi three clocks in the offices of the Borough Council for a period down to March 31st, 1909, be accepted subject to the execution of a form of contract to the approval of the Acting Town Clerk. An application from Mr J. A. Leahy for a carriage drivers' license I was granted.

GAS AND LIBRARY COMMITTEE.

At a meeting of the Gas and Library Committee, held on Monday evening, there were present:— The Mayor, Crs Elliott, Ewingtou, Morris, and Pragnell. The following report of the Gas Manager was submitted:—The extension of mains authorised in Johnston Street and Makora Road have been completed. Street lighting: The whole of the double arc lamps in Queen Street are now fitted with the automatic controllers for the lighting and extinguishing of same. Out of the 150 burners in the town and

Lansdowne there only remains some nine or ten to be ritted with the controllers, and these will come to hand very shortly. It is obvious that the services of a lamplighter will not be required when the whole of the lighting and extinguishing is accomplished automatically. Re proposed extension of mains to Wright Street via Pownall Street: In accordance with the instructions of the Committee, I have inspected the locality, and beg to report as follows: —From Cornwall Street along Pownall Street, a distance of 12 chains going north, there are five houses. In Wright Street Mr Lang'a house is about five chains from Pownall Street, and I understand another vilia is to be erected very 3hortly nearer Pownall Street. I would recommend, if the Committee are prepaied to anticipate a farther increase in the building on these streets, that a three-inch cast-iron main be extended along Pownall Street for a distance of twelve chains and along Wright Street, say, five and one-half-estimate c<..st £9O. The houses at present on the line should provide enough income to find interest, etc., on that amount, and the full extensions mentioned in my last report could be carried out as circumstances warranted. It is often a wise policy to anticipate business in good localities, as if dwellings are erected eand no gas supply is available otiier means of lighting are arranged for and business is lost, owners otten refusing to go to the after expense of putting in gas pip.-:s and fittings when houses are completed and occupied. The work of extending the mains in lientley, Hope and Dixon Streets is now being proceeded with The trenching having been let at 103 per chain to Messrs Coyle and Co., extensions will result in several additional consumers, though primarily carried out to supply the street lamp 3 authorised to be erected. The manufacturing plant is in good order. It was resolved, on the motion of Cr Ewington, that the work of laying mains in Pownall and Tararua Streets be authorised—trenching to be let by contract—and that the Chairman have power to accept tenders provided that no work be done in Tararua or Wright Streets until formal dedication of the said streets has been made. On the motion of the Chairman, it was resolved that a special meeting of the Committee be held on Friday next, at 7.30 p.m., to deal with the new plant necessary for the new works, and that the Co nmittee have pow< r to act. Ci Ewington moved that the Committee offer the Council, without prejudice, the sum of £3o' as purchase money for the weigh-bridge.— The m< tion was carried. The petition of Messrs Jones and others was considered by the Committee, who, having due regard to the settled estimates making no provision for an extension of public street ligl/'ng other than that which the Committee has already recommended, lvgret that Hiey are unable to sen theiv way at present to comply with theioquast of the petitioners to better 1 jht Renall Street. Accounts totalling £l4l 9s 3d were passed for payment.