BOROUGH AFFAIRS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 July 1939, Page 2

BOROUGH AFFAIRS

MEETING OF MASTERTON COUNCIL GAS HEATING FOR LADIES' REST ROOM. CHILDREN’S LIBRARY & LENDING ROOM. The monthly meeting of the Masterton Borough Council was held last night. Those present were the Mayor. Mr T. Jordan, and Councillors Trevor Beetham, J. Ninnes, A. T. Jackson. H. E. Gardner, R. Russell, G. D. Wilson, G. W. Morice, W. Kemp, W. H. Judd, A. Low and W. White. The Masterton Head Teachers’ Association wrote conveying their thanks for the free use of the Municipal Hall for the recent handiwork display. Miss M. E. Barrer applied for the use of the Lecture Room, Municipal Buildings, on three Fridays a month, for cadet instruction in Home Nursing for trainees of St. John Cadet Nursing Division. It was decided to grant the application free of charge in priority to other lettings. The Wairarapa Cricket Association advised that the Australian cricket team would play a match at Masterton on February 6 and 7, 1940 The association requested that the dates mentioned be reserved for them and that they be granted permission to close the Park Oval on those dates. It was decided to allot the dates applied for to the association at the usual council charge of £lO. The Masterton Beautifying Society, in reply to an inquiry by the council, advised that their executive committee recommended that South Park retain its present name, which was originally given by the Borough Council. It was decided to concur in the Masterton Beautifying Society’s suggestion. The installation of a suitable gas heating appliance in the Ladies’ Rest Room was left in the hands of Councillors Russell and Gardner, with power to act. It was also decided that the charge for the meeting room at the Ladies’ Rest premises be fixed at 3s 6d per meeting, without heating, and 4s Gd with heating, for day lettings only. Councillor Gardner, Mr Robinson, and the Park Custodian were instructed to have suitable trenching carried out at South Park so that the growth of trees at present in waterlogged ground would be assisted and also to decide upon and have planted suitable species of trees to give shelter and protection. The cost of the work is not to exceed £3O. Thanks were extended to the Masterton Beautifying Society for presenting 40 ferns to the South Park. The ferns are to be planted round the Lily Pond.

It was decided to instal a light over the orchestral platform in the Concert Hall, and also to provide a set of permanent steps 4ft. wide for- use in the hall.

The Engineer reported that the present Ladies’ Rest Room at the Library could be suitably converted into a children’s library and lending room with access from the lending department, at an estimated cost of £3O. It was decided to carry this work out in the near future.

The Deputy-Valuer General acknowledged receipt of the council’s request for a revaluation of the Borough, and advised that the work would be put in hand and completed by March 31, 1941. It was decided to convey the council’s thanks to the Deputy-Valuer 1 General. Two tenders were received for dwelling, wool-shed and sheep yards at the Council's Reserve, Mangaono. The tender submitted by Mr J. Sandman, Pahiatua, was accepted. The Wairarapa and Ruahine Aero Club wrote inviting representation from the council. Councillor W. Kemp was nominated to attend the meeting as an honorary member. During the month the Waipoua River eroded the southern bank of the stream immediately above the Lansdowne Bridge, necessitating the construction of several protective groynes, reported the Borough Engineer (Mr C ,R. Mabson). The ramp in place of the old Suspension Bridge had been completed, also the paths and approaches to the new one.. Repair work to the river frontage of the Johnston Stream sewage farm had been completed, and the septic tank cleaned out. Eleven building permits, of an estimated value of £1,618, had been issued, compared with five permits, having an estimated value of £3,049, for the same period last year. The Borough Inspector, Mr T. A. Russell reported that during the month there had been two cases of pulmonary tuberculosis. A suspected case of diphtheria proved negative. Two sewer connections had been installed and 16 plumbing and drainage permits issued. The plumbing and drainage of seven Government houses was also tested and inspected. The housing survey carried out under the 1936 regulations had been completed during the month, Mr Har-ris-Daw of the Government Housing Department visiting Masterton in this connection.

Heavy traffic fees for the month amounted to £653 6s 9d. Thirty applicants for drivers’ licences had been put through their test, five failing to pass. Sixteen persons had been fined for breaches of the Traffic Regulations. Stock slaughtered at the Masterton Abattoirs during the month amounted to 490 cattle, 160 calves, 2055 sheep, 210 lambs, 250 pigs. Receipts totalled £343 3s sd. Killing fees were £44 17s 5d higher than those for the month of June, 1938. To date fees were £2OO 8s 5d in excess of those for the corresponding period of last year. The total gas made corrected N.T.P. was 4,253,500 cubic feet, being a decrease of 402,200 cubic feet or 8.6 per cent over the corresponding period of last year reported Mr J. Y. Douglas, Gas Engineer. Sales amounted to 18, including seven cookers, throe radiators and three hot air furnaces. The Government Inspector visited the works in June. The calorific value of the gas was 461 8.T.U., and the pressure conformed to Government regulations.

The Librarian reported that during (he month books issued amounted to 4,357. Books added totalled 72, and the total subscribers at the end of the month was 399, compared with 474 for the same period last year. Receipts amounted to £l7 16s, compared with £lB 7s 6d last year. Purchases for the month totalled £22 7s 9d.