MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9673, 22 December 1909, Page 5

MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

FORTNIGHTLY MEETING. The fortnightly meeting of the Masterton" Borough Council was held last evening. There were present— The Mayor (Mr P. L. Hollings), and Crs W. Morris, J. Prentice J. C. Ewington, W. Pragnel!, R. Rigg, T. G. Hoar, F. W. Temple, Jas. Elliott and J. H. Pauling. The Works and Finance Commit • tee reported that—Accounts totalling £1,927 18s, as set out in orders on treasurer book, were submitted and passed for payment. The Committee have instructed the Town Clerk to close the offices of the Council, from Friday, the 24th inst. down to the 9th prox., both days inclusive, and to close the Public Lirary oo the 25th and 27th inst. and on the Ist and 3rd prox. The reading room in the Public Library to bo closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day only. An application was submitted from Mr Chas. G. Monro for an extension of the water main in High street so as to permit ot Mrs M. McKay's new premises receiving a connection therefrom, thereabouts four chains. The Committee resolved that the application be not granted. The Gas, Park and Library Committee reported that —Accounts totalling £392 12s 7d, as set out m orders on'treasurer book' was submitted and passed for payment. Of this eum £209 7s 8d is in respect of the new works and with a further sum of £lO2 18s 3d made as emergency payments makes disbursamenta out of revenue in respect of dpw works since the last meeting of the Council £312 5s lid.

The special committee appointed to report uoon the Borough Abbatoir reported as Mr Hugh Long waited upon the committee and asked that the prices be reduced for slaughtering pigs to Is Bd, and for mutto la. The committee are unable to see their way to grant the request. The manager having reported to the committee that the killing of pigs for the Carterton Bacon Company involved overtime, and that in his opinion it would be more satisfactory to pay the men on a basis of 6d per pig carcase addition to their ordinary wage, the committee so recommend." Cr Pauling, chairman of the special committee, in moving the adoption of the report, stated that he had heard certain statements regarding the abattoir, which he wished he had known before the special committee had met. The committee might then have arrived at a different decision than thai; submitted to the meeting that night. The Mayor questioned the advisability of killing for outsiders at a lower rate than local butchers Cr Ewington explaned that the committee had not been absolutely unanimous in the matter. He moved as an amendment to the adojption of sthe report that the/price for killing pigs to local butchers be reduced from 28 6d to 2s per head. He further ' pointed out that the butchers *s ratepayers had a responsibility itf the successful management of the abattoirs. I'he Mayor said that it seen.ed as if the whole question required further consideration. He moved that the whole report be referred back to the Committee, and that the Committee be asked to consider what is a reasonable charge to make so as to pay all expenses, interest on sinking fund, and allow a sufficient sum for depreciation of plant. Cr Ewington then withdrew his amendment, and after a good deal of dicussion the Mayor's amendment was carried. The Town Clerk was instructed to withdraw the written agreement between the Council and the Bacon Company, which had not yet been signed, until the report of the committee was received.

Cr Rigg said he would like to ask the Engineer why two plana of houses at Solway which had been submitted to him tor approval had had the baths and sinks cut out. The Engineer said that in cases where baths and fittings were constructed in houses not oonnectsd with the Borough drainage their use invariably led to formation of cesspits, which were not allowed by the Borough by-laws. A good deal of discussion took plcae on the matter, and the Mayor expressed the opinion that while it was a good thing they had an Engineer who was careful of their interests, he (the Mayor) thought that in cases of this sort & little leniency might be permitted.