MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3198, 26 May 1909, Page 5

MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of the Council was held last evening. There were presenj;:—The Mayor (Mr P. L. Hollings), andCrsJ. H. Pauling, Jas. Elliott, F. W. Temple, T. G. Hoar, R. Rigg, W. Pragnell, J. C. Ewington, J. Prentice, and J. Yarr. A deputation from the Masterton Trust Lands Trust, consisting of Messrs T. B. Michel 1 (chairman), and C. E. Daniell, and A. H. Hathaway (secretary), waited on the Council in connection with the fire in the "Star block," and adjacent buildings. Mr Michell said that he understood that the majority of the Council were against the reinstatement of the building. It was proposed to erect thiet: shops in brick, but if the Council insisted on the whole block being re-erected it would be a hardship on the Trust. Mr Daniell said that their only desire was to reassure the Council that they were anxious to work in with the Council for the general benefit of the town.

The Mayor said it was not wise to come to any conclusion straight away as to what was to be done. His own opinion was that the block ought to be re built in brick. After the Coun] cil had obtained the legal aspect from their solicitor, they could then go into the matter fully. The majority of the councillors spoke in favour of allowing the Trust to carry out their own scheme. Tha Mpyor then intimated to the deputation that if the Trust submitted their planb to the Council, the matter would be dealt with immediately.

Cr Temple produced a copy of the Wairarapa Age, containing certain figures as to the income for last year, and he stated that it revealed an apparent differencs of about £7OO between last, year and this year, and he asked for details in that connection. Cr Tempi.' then moved an amendment that further consideration of the estimates be postponed till those details were furnished to him. Cr Ewington, in supporting tlie

amendment, said that the whole trouble arose through the Council

considering the expenditure over, and takir.g no notice of the possible income* The amendment, on being put, was declared to be lost. Cr Temple subsequently stated that he would put in a notice of motion in the morning, asking for the detail? required by him. Cr JiiWington moved an amendment that the water rate, instead of being 4 per cent, and 2 per cant, as recommended by the Works and Finance Committee, be reduced to 2h per cent, and U per cent, respectively. Cr Temple seconded the amendment, which was on the voices. On the motion of Cr Ewmgton/'it was decided '.hat a committee be set up for the purpose of proceeding with the immediate construction of the Memorial Baths donated to the Council by Dr. W. H. Hosking.