MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9595, 15 September 1909, Page 5

MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

FORTNIGHTLY MEETING.

The fortnightly meeting of the Masterton Borough Council was held last evening. There were present : His Worship the Mayor (Mr P. L. Holhngs), and Crs J. Prentice, J. C. Ewington, W. Pragnell, R. Rteg, T. Hoar,-P. W. Temple, Jas. Elliott, J. H. Pauiing, W. Morris. The Gas Committee's report was read and , submitted for adoption, The Mayor objected to the adoption of the portion of the report which read:—"Councillor Temple moved that such report be recommended for adoption subject to the following variations. That the manager's report' of August 10th, 1909, be adopted subject to the balance of the £12,000 loan, viz., £3,000 be taken up on or before the 31st day of December, 1910. and out of the £3,000 bo taken up £1,500 be repaid to the gasworks revenue as representing the expenditure of the £2,500 now contemplated. The balance of the £3,000, viz., £1,500 to be set apart as a reserve fund to carry to completion the further works outlined in the manager's reports of May, 1907, and of the 13th of January, 1908, which will bring the capacity of the works up to fifty million cubic feet per annum, and, further, subject to the sum ot £SOO per annum for six consecutive years being a second charge upon gasworks revenue, and to its being similarly set aside each year for the purpose of such reserve fund." He said that it was obvious that if the report was, adopted it would mean that the committee would carry out works involving an expenditure of £2,500 by drawing upon the general fund, and at March 31st next the Borough overdraft would be beyond its legal limit, which he was opposed to. pointed out that £3,000 of the £12,000 loan was still unlifted, and it was but consistent to lift the money and with it carry out the works proposed, and so give effect to the purpose for which the loan was negotiated. It was bad finance to carry out the works by the overdraft at the bank, and pay interest on the overdraft at the rate of 6 per cent, without a sinking fund, when the loan money was lying available awaiting a call at 4& per cent, interest. At the requ st of the Chairman of the Gas Committee, Mr J. W. Blackman, who was present, explained that when the £12,000 loan was raised it was procured with the object of bringing' the capacity of the plant up to fifty million cubic feet. It was not until after the loan had been gpt that it was decided to erect new works at the station. The £12,000 was never raised to include the railway station scheme —toat proposal came later. The Mayor again stated his reason for objecting. Cr Elliott intimated; that, the Mayor's objection was based on his being afraid of the overdraft. The Mayor; It is time some one did gef afraid of the overdraft. Cr Temple and Ewington 1 opposed the amendment strongly. > After further discussion the Mayor moved that the report be adopted after being varied to the effect that providing that the balance of the £12,000 loan, viz., £3,000, be lifted before the works contemplated in the manager's report of August 27th last are commenced. Cr Ewington said the amendment was a slight on the Gas Committee, and if everyone felt as he did they would resign in a body. Cr Morris said it was time a Btop was put on the Gas Committee. The Gas Manager nimply put his report before them and they swallowed it like so many pill*. The Mayor put the amendment, the voting being:—For: The Mayor, Crs Pauling, Pragnell, Morris and Prentice; and Against: Crs Elliott, Ewington, Rigg, Temple and Hoar. On the casting vote of the Mayor it was carried. Cr Elliott said that the carrying of the amendment was not a compliment to the Gas Committee. The Masterton Fire Board wrote asking for permission to construct an. emergency well in Chapel Street for the use ot the steam fire engine. "The request was granted subject to the approval of the Engineer. Mr J. C. Boddington, Secretary of the Masterton Hospital, wrote applying for a reduction in their gas account. The matter was referred to the Gas Committee. The secretary of the local branch of the Navy League wrote forwarding one of their large ( maps with a request that it be hung in a conspicuous place in the reading room. Un the motion of Cr Ewington, the map was accepted with thanks, , and the request granted.