MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9694, 19 January 1910, Page 5

MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The fortnightly meeting' of the Master ton Borough Council was held last evening. There were present:— The Mayor, Mr P. L. Boilings, and Crs W. Morris, J. Prentice, J. C. Ewington, W. Pragneil, W. Temple, Jas. Elliott, J. H. Fauling. The Mayor and the Town ulerk were appointed to enter the formal objection with regard to the proposed expenditure on the Northern Approach in order that the agreement arrived at might be carried out.

The Secretary of the Wairarapa Cricket Association wrote, asking for the free use of the Park and permission to make a charge on the occasion of the Cncket match, Australia v. Wairarapa, on February 4th and sth. Cr Prentice moved that the application be referred to the Park Committee. Cr Pragnell wanted to ki'ow if people desirous of UA'i«>si the baths in the Park and not wishing to see the match would be debarred from the Park. Cr Pauling held that cricketers should not be allowed the free use of the Park more than any other Association. The Mayor said he thought the Association should be treated on a similar basis to the Swimming Club. If a loss was made then allow a proportionate rebate. On the motion of Cr Morris, it was decided that the Cricket Association be allowed the use of the- Fark on the dates mentioned on the usual j basis of £3O, on the understanding that if there is a loss the Council J will entertain an application .for a proportionate rebate. The Mayor, in referring to the Ladies' Swimming Baths, said that it was now practically completed. He had the pleasure during the day of visiting the baths. They were a magnificent structure, and a credit to the town. The question was when were th« baths to be opened. He had thought it desirable to consult Mrs Hoskmg in the matter, and ask her to content to open the baths on Mon day next at 10 a.m. He asked tha Council to confirm this proposal. Cr Pauling said he thought the Council should know the cost of the baths before tbey were opened. The Mayor said they were certainly entitled to this information, which would be available when the Borough Engineer's report was submitted to the Council.

Cr Ewington agreed with Cr PauiJng's request. The Mayor said the baths ought to be formally opened out; of respect to the donor.

The Mayor moved that the baths be formally opened on Monday next, at 10 a.m., and that Mrs Hoßking be asked to perform the ceremony. Cr Elliott seconded lha motion. Cr Morris said no doubt the Borough Engineer could furnish a general estimate of the cob£ of the work. The work was t-ertainly carried out in a creditable manner.

The Engineer stated that it was a difficult matter to make a definite statement as the wayes i-i-eets for a fortnight were not to band. He would like to state, however, that when he undertook to erect the baths he had specifically stated that boxes would not be included. Cr Pauline desired to know that if in the event of the Council having to contribute £SO towards their construction, whether they belonged to the Council. If Dr. Hosking allowed the Borough to pay au amount towards their cost then it could not be said that the baths were given by him. Cr Ewington held that the cost should not exceed the amount authorised. The Mayor expressed annoyance at the way the Council had "haggled over the whole business,and characterised it as "disgraceful." The motion wai then carried. The Mayor said in looking over the baths it had been pointed out to him that the boxes w«ra rather bare. He /thought that the Council might provide each box with a chair and a looking glass. Cr Pauling thought die Councillors might make up the cost involved among themselves. It was decided that the Engineer be authorised to procure the articles. EXTENDING THE WATER MAIN. The Secretary of the North Wairarapa Benevolent Society wrote asking that the water be laid on to the Solway Home. A number of ratepayers also petitioned the Council asking that the three inch water main be continued to High street. Cr Pauling said that before deciding this matter he thought that there were other places that were also entitled to consideraion, and he instanced Colombo road. Be would like to see the Engineer prepare a report as to the revenue to be obtained from both High street and Colombo road. The Engineer stated that the revenue would aofc be lesa than £25 a year. Cr Morris said there was not the slightest doubt that the extension of the main would bo a good thing for the Borough. Cr Ewington pointed out that the Solway Home was a most important institution. While they were extending the wain to Solway it was

bringing l it much nearer the Abattoirs. Cr Ewington moved that the work be done on the understanding that 8 the income be £25. ' This was seconded by Cr Morris and carried. On the motion of Cr Pauling it was decided that the Engineer be irstructed to bring down a report as to bringing 'in a three-inch main ■ into Colombo road. 1 SEPTIC TANKS. 1 Mr McLaren wrote asking for pn- ■ mission to construct a septic tank (n ; the property lately purcl ased from Mr C. A. Pownall. It was thought the application j should be referred to the Works Cr Elliott objected to this couise. Cr Ewington movod that the application be granted under the supervision and to the satisfaction of the Engineer. Cr Elliott, in seconding the motion, said the Health Department was permitting septic tanks to be erected all over the place. He Hoped the Council did not set itself up as being better than the Department. The motion of ur Ewington's was carried. The Engineer stated that in view of the applications he had taken the precaution to get |in communication with the Health Officer, and he had stated that every septic tank had to be considered ou its merits. The Mayor said that he looked tV the Borough Engineer to safeguard the health of the town. Another application was received from Mr H. A. Jones for a permit to erect a tank at Sulway, anil it was I resolved that permission be granted subject tu the approval of the Healtn Department, and the work being carried out to Ihe satisfaction of the . Engineer. Cr Elliott referred to the case of Mr Leech, who was one of those recently fined for using the Borough water in contravention of thi Borough by-iaws. The speaker explained that Mr Leech had a sick daughter, who was under the djctor's orders to live on the verandah, where a snail stream ot water could be used to cool the air. He asked that Mr Leech be allowed the use of the water under these special circumstances. This was agreed to by the Council, the matter being left in the hanas of the Engineer.