MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 984, 2 March 1910, Page 5

MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The fortnightiy meeting of the Masterton Borough Council vas held last evening. There were present:— The Mayor (Mr P. L. Hollings), and Crs W Morris, F. W. Temple, J. Prentice, J. C. ttwington, W. Pragnell, R. Kigg, T. G. Hoar, Jas. Elliott and J. H. Pauling. WORKS AND FINANCE. The Works and Finance Committee reported as follows:—"Accounts totalling £B/5 2s lid as set out in "Oraers on Treasurer" book were submitted and passed for payment. An application was submitted from the Masterton Ladies' Swimming Club for the exclusive free use to the Club of the Christina Bath during the whole of Thursday, the 10th prox , for the purpose of conducting the Club's annual Women's Swimming Carnival, and with a right to charge for admission to the bath enclosure, Is for women, 6d for girls. The Committee have instructed the Town Clerk to give the required permission. A communication was submitted from the Department of Justice stating that the Borough's request that the wurk of erecting the new Courthouse be proceeded with as soon as possible, was receiving consideration. The report was adopted. GAS, PARK AND LIBRARY COMMITTEE. The Committee reported as follows:—A report of the manager dated the sth day of February, 1910, was submitted and received. The manager's carbonising statement for the month of January was also submitted and received. A plan and specification was submitted by Messrs Varnham and Rose for the erection of a manager's house at the new worKs Subject to a report by Councillor Temple, to whom the plans and specifications have Deen rafened, the Committee recommc. C that the plans be approved and tenders invited, on the specifications be ing approved by the Bdraugfa Engineer. The Committee have given consideration to a Ittter from the Club, dated the 7th inst., having reference to a sanitary convenience for the lake bathers, and recommend that as the season is already so far advanced that consideration be postponed until the following season. Accounts totalling £206 5s as set out in "Orders on Treasurer's" Book were submitted and passed for payment. Messrs Varnham and Rose, archi tects, wrote asking the Council to grant a permit to erect a gallery in the Foresters' Hall. The Borough Engineer explained that the permit had been refused, as it could not be granted under the Borough by laws. Mr E. G. Rose waited on the Council in regard to the application. He had received instructions to carry out the work, and had prepared everything in conformity with the by-laws. When the plans were subj mitted to the Engineer the permit was refused. The plans had been approved by the Fire Brigade Superintendent. Cr Ewington considered it a serious matter if the lessees were not allowed to carry out the work. Cr Pauling questioned whether the building was sufficiently substantial to stand a gallery. The question of overcrowding, and fire escapes in the event of the extra accommodation being provided was discussed at length. , The Borough Engineer stated that the limited height of the building was one of the fatal objections to granting a permit. The amount of ventilation, even with artificial means, was insufficient, and it was unhealthy to crowd too many people into so small a space. Cr Morris suggested that thtt difficulty might be overcome to some extent if the architects conferred with the Borough Surveyor with a view to a modification of the scheme. This course was finally agreed to by the Council.