MASTERTON TRUST LANDS TRUST.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3114, 13 February 1909, Page 5

MASTERTON TRUST LANDS TRUST.

MONTHLY MEETING,

The roonth-Jy meeting- of members of the Trust Lands Trust was held last evening. There was present Mr T. B. Michell (Chairman), R. Krahagen, T. Wagg, 0. Pragnell, W. H. Jackson, E. G. Eton, D. Caselberg, C. E. Daniell and H. C. Robinson. The Secretary of the Wellington Education Board wrote thanking the Trustees for the grant made in aid of the District High School. The Secretary of the Technical School wrote stating that a room in the old technical school was at the disposal of the Trustees temporarily for storing museum exhibits. A letter was received from the Town Clerk stating that the Borough Council would light and clean the lamp at the corner of the Drill Hall fur £2 per annum. —The offer was accepted. Miss E. G. Waddington, who gained a Senior Board Scholarship at the recent examinations, which entitled her to go to College, made application for the u-iual graut of £lO made by the Trustees to winners of scholarships who intended to take them up. Similar applications were received from Gladys Cork and Olive Sutherland.—Each application was granted. The Treasurer's report showed a credit balance at the Bank of £367 3s 4d. Accounts amounting to £231 13s 5d were passe 1 for payment. Speaking upon the question of the Museum, Mr C. E. Daniell said he had certain resolutions to move, which were as follow: —That in the interests of the children, it is de*>irafele to utilise the exhibits forming the Museum; that seeing the building tateiy used for a technical school is now available, and being suitable for the purpose, and that if the School Managers will hand over the building, and the District School Committee will undertake the care of the building, and use and care for the Museum, the Trust will defray the cost of removing and reinstating the building on a site near the District High School. Mr Caselberg thought the intentions ol Mr Daniell's motions were excellent, but he thought the proposed site was too far from the town. Visitors would not go so far to see the exhibits. The Chairman opposed expenditure upon the old technical school building in the way of removing it to the District High School siie. Mr Eton supported the motion, stating that he thought the suggestion to establish the Museum near the High School was an excellent one.

Messrs Krahagen and Pragnell arjeed with Mr Darnell's motion.

Speaking to the motion.. Mr Daniell stated that the Trust were at present paying il2 per year for the safe keppi \% of the Museum exhibits, and the chief visitors at present weie school children. He thought che very best site in the town available was near the gardens at the High School. Children and parents would be induced to support the Museum, and he felt sure it would grow into a representative institution.

After further discusson, the motions were agreed to. A deputation from the Masterton Borough Council, consisting of Messrs J. Prentice, W. H. Hosking, A. Haughey, J. Elliott and the Town Clerk, waited upon the Tiustees for the purpose of asking that the Trust subsidise the sum of £SOO, donated by Dr W. H. Hosking, with another grant of £SOO. Mr P. L. Hollings (Mayor), in introducing the deputation, stated that the object of the deputation, which had been set up by the Borough Council, was to get a bath for both ladies .and gentlemen erected on a site in a more central position than the present one in Dixon Street. If sufficient funds could be obtained for that purpose, it was intended to hand over the Dixon Street baths to the exclusive use of the school children. The deputation was not prepared to go into details at present, but they could be discussed at a later date. The deputation felt that the generous donation made by Dr Hosking should be subsidised in order that baths, estimated to cost £I,OOO, could be erected in a central position, and which could be so erected as to be made suitable for both ladies and gentlemen. The Chairman of the Trustees pointed out to the deputation that the whol&of the Trust grants for the year were ear-marked, and it would be impossible for them to make any grant during the present financial year. He thought if the £SOO donated by Dr Hosking were expended on the extension and improvement of the Dixon Street batln, that they could be made entirely suitable for the requirements of all desirous of using them. Mr W. H. Jackson felt that the Trustees were not in a position to make any grant of a large amount at present, but if the payment of a sum spread over a number of years could be arranged, he]was disposed to support a grant. Mr H. C. Robinson strongly opposed a grtnt being made, urging that it amounted to extravagance, and further that the true purpose for which the Trust was founded was being departed from. They were asked to subsidise work which should be really charged to the rates of the Borough. It reminded him of the old days, when the Borough Councillors and the Trustees were the same persons, and voted out of the Trust funds moneys which relieved the Borough rates. He felt so strongly on the subject that he was prepared, if three others came forward, and agreed on a policy to legislate so as to prevent the funds being diverted in any direction, he would resign and fight the question in their company. Mr Daniell was in favour of a subsidy being granted, and suggested that a committee should be set up to meet the members of the deputation and go into the details of the scheme. Mr Daniell said that he would be prepared to accept the challenge of Mr Robinson. After other members of the Trust nad spoken, the deputation withdrew and the Trustees then went into committee to discuss the question.