BOROUGH AFFAIRS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 June 1938, Page 8

BOROUGH AFFAIRS

BUSINESS AT COUNCIL MEETING SALVATION ARMY GATHERINGS The monthly meeting of the Masterton Borough Council was held last night, the Mayor, Mr T. Jordan, presiding. There were also present Councillors Trevor Beetham, J. Ninnes, G. W. Morice, A. T. Jackson, H. E. Gardner, R. Russel, G. D. Wilson, W. Kemp, W. H. Judd, A D. Low, and W. White. Mr J. McKenzie was granted a renewal of his taxi driver’s licence. The council refused a renewal of a taxi driver’s licence to Mr K. A. Morris. A circular letter was received from the Minister of Transport regarding the increase of taxi licences in many towns, suggesting that the number of services be kept at a level that will ensure those engaged in the industry a reasonable livelihood. It was reported that satisfactory arrangements had been made with the stock auctioneers regarding travelling stock during the period Colombo Road would be closed while bridge extension work was being carried out. Vehicle traffic would have to use other routes. In reply to the Commissioner of Transport regarding the high accident rate attributed to the use of taxis it was decided to inform the commissioner that there was no cause for complaint in Masterton. The Postmaster wrote complaining that the drivers of mail cars were unable to park in Lincoln Road outside the Post Office owing to the space being occupied by private cars. The engineer was instructed to take appropriate action. A complaint was received from Mr E. C. Russell regarding the state of the footpath outside his shop in Queen Street. The engineer was instructed to give the matter his attention. A deputation of two officers of the Salvation Army waited on the Works and Finance Committee at its last meeting regarding the Army’s openair meetings in Queen Street. Having heard the deputation the committee recommended that the matter be left in the hands of Mr Russell to confer with the Army officers with a view to arriving at an amicable arrangement satisfactory to all concerned.

It was reported that Mr Russell had made arrangements to the satisfaction of all parties. A letter from the Masterton County Council regarding the sealing of boundary roads was held in abeyance until the estimates meeting.

In reply to a further letter from the county setting out in detail the maintenance costs of boundary roads for 1938-39 it ws decided to inform the county that the figures were satisfactory.

The council decided to co-operate with the Masterton County Council in the matter of making application for a £ for £ subsidy on the additional expenditure involved with the Colombo Road bridge extension work, so that a £ for £ subsidy would be available on the total cost of the work.

It ws decided to set up a sub-commit-tee consisting of the Works Committee to confer with the Eketahuna County Council regarding the borough reserve at Mangaone' A proposal from the Masterton A. & P. Society for the construction of footpaths from Mr Ratcliffe's property in York Street to Fleet Street was left in the hands of the engineer to interview the president of the society. The tender of Mr E. B. Terry for the grazing rights for twelve months of the borough reserve at Mangaone was accepted. In the event of the Mayor being unable to attend a meeting of the Centennial Provincial Council on June 16, Councillor Kemp was deputed to attend.

The Park Committee reported that it was unable to comply with the request of the Masterton Croquet Club to provide another lawn before next season.

In reply to the president of the Lansdowne Croquet Club as to whether the council could allocate a suitable playing area for the club, the president, stating that the club will require at least two full size greens, and suggesting a site between the bridges (southeastern side). The Park Committee stated that it was prepared to make the land available at a nominal rental, but it was not prepared to lay down the greens.

The Wairarapa Football Association was given permission to use the Park Oval for the ensuing season on certain conditions, the rental for the season to be £5.