BOROUGH AFFAIRS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 August 1939, Page 6

BOROUGH AFFAIRS

MEETING OF MASTERTON COUNCIL ART EXHIBITION PROPOSAL WELCOMED. APPROVAL OF INCREASED TAXI FARES. The monthly meeting of the Masterton Borough Council was held last night. Those present were the Mayor. Mr T. Jordan and Councillors Trevor Bcetham, J. Ninnes. A. T. Jackson. H. E. Gardner. R. Russell. G. W. IVlorice. W. Kemp, W. 11. Judd. A. D. Low and W. White. The Under-Secretary of the Department of Internal Affairs wrote enclosing Ministerial Authority setting up the District. Committee under the Physical Welfare and Recreation Act. 1937 for Masterton, Mauriceville and Castlepoint. The District Committee appointed is as follows:—Messrs T. Jordan (Masterton Borough Council); R. E. G. Lee (Masterton County Council); E. W. Cheetham (Mauriceville County Council); S. Schofield (Castlepoint County Council); W. S. L. Dickson; Miss E. Donald; Messrs P. Fagan; E. M. Hodder; J. C. D. Mackley; C. E. Rogers, and W. H. Saunders. Tiie Town Clerk, Mr G. T. O’HaraSmith, was appointed secretary of the District Committee. Permission to increase their fares was sought by the Masterton Taxi Proprietors’ Association. After considering a report, submitted by Councillor Kemp and Inspector Russell the council decided to approve the scale of charges submitted by the Taxi Proprietors’ Association. The new rates, which are to be advertised, will take effect as from August 16. A letter was received from the National Art Gallery asking for the cooperation of the council in its proposal to exhibit pictures in country towns. The council decided to write in reply that they would be only too willing to co-operate to the fullest extent. The Mayor suggested that the National Art Gallery send up a representative who could be met by a committee comprising representatives of the county and the borough in order to discuss the matter fully.

Councillor Kemp moved that the committee consist of the Mayor, Mr Jordan, and Councillors Beetham, Low and Wilson and that they co-operate with the president and secretary of the Sketch Club. The motion was carried. The Wairarapa Returned Soldiers’ Association “Diggers’ Market” committee wrote conveying sincere thanks for the generous action of the council in granting free use of the Municipal Hall for the market. The Sexton, Mr C. S. Morris, was granted leave to attend a Territorial camp from October 21 to October 28. He was also granted the difference between his Territorial pay and his wages. On the recommendation of the Library Committee it was decided to fix the subscription rate for the children’s section of the library at 2s 6d per annum for one book, and this privilege will be open to all children of 16 years and under.

A letter was received from the Director of Housing Construction suggesting that the names of native trees might be substituted for the proposed names Beetham Street and Hosking Place.

It was decided to write the Director and thank him for the suggestion, but also to inform him that names of native trees as street names had already been adopted by the council in another part of the town, and. as this would be carried out further if required, the names originally suggested by the council for the Nops block of State Housing would be adhered to. The General Secretary Centennial Branch, Department of Internal Affairs. wrote seeking information as to civic heraldry. It was decided to inform the secretary that the .council’s seal did not bear any heraldic design. The secretary of the Municipal Association of New Zealand suggested that the planning of any local organisation for a state of emergency be held over pending the completion of a scheme which is at present being prepared by the Department of Internal Affairs.

The Mayor stated that the Borough Engineer had already in preparation proposals for an emergency organisation in anticipation of a co-ordinated scheme now being prepared. The Director-General of Health wrote asking the council to permit its Sanitary Inspector to attend the annual conference of Royal Sanitary Institute, in January. 1940. Leave was granted the inspector and his "expenses are to be paid by the council. James Marshall (White Band Taxis) applied for a taxi license in addition to the license for one vehicle he now holds’. The application was granted subject to his car meeting with the approval of the inspector. The Under-Secretary, Department of Internal Affairs wrote stating that the Minister of Internal Affairs. Mr W. Parry, did not see any objection to the diversion of the moneys held by the Trustees of the Masterton 1918 Epidemic Fund towards the furnishing of a local rest room, and suggested that the necessary steps be initiated at an early date with a view to a formal application being submitted for the inclusion of a clause in the Local Legislation Bill- , , An inquiry is to be made if such a clause could be put through when two of the trustees are opposed to the proposal. The Wairarapa Hospital Board advised that the council's contribution for the year would be £.3.554 Us. The Mayor stated that pior tn 1933 the council had no power to license’ vehicles engaged in transporting goods within the borough, but not ply ing Io) hire, and the council's by-law was in consequence amended. 3. ho 1933 Municipal Corporations Act. however, gave wider powers, but these had not so far been utilised by altering the bylaws. The council decided to instruct the Borough solicitor to bring this section of the Borough by-laws up to date in compliance with the 1933 Act. A detailed plan and proposals designed to give effect to the more convenient grouping of the office staff was submitted by the Engineer. The proposals wore approved and the work is to be put in hand at once. The Engineer was directed to take steps to have material removed from the bed of th Waipoua River, towards its source, that might otherwise result in damage being caused by flood, waters.

It, was decided to increase the fire insurance cover on the Abattoir buildings.