TOWN AFFAIRS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 September 1941, Page 5

TOWN AFFAIRS

» MEETING OF BOROUGH COUNCIL RAILWAY COAL FREIGHT RATE. NO REDUCTION POSSIBLE. The monthly meeting of the Masterton Borough Council was held last night. The Mayor, Mr T. Jordan, presided. There were also present: Councillors W. White, A. D. Low, W. H. Judd, W. Kemp, G. D. Wilson, R. Russell, H. E. Gardner, A. T. Jackson. G. W. Morice, J. Ninnes and C. E. Grey. The general manager, New Zealand Railways, advised that it had not been found possible to grant any reduction in the present coal freight rate of 14s lOd per ton. “The freight rate is cheaper in other centres,” said Mr Jordan. “The hard fact is that there is no competition with the railway.” It was decided to write to Mr H. A. Truman, district health inspector, thanking him for the co-operation he had given to the borough inspectors and extending congratulations to him on his appointment as borough engineer and inspector to the Dannevirke Borough Council. The Home Guard was granted permission to use the Park land near the Waipoua River by the swing bridge for training purposes and to construct weapon pits, trenches etc. The Registrar, National Service Department, wrote asking if the council was prepared to engage 16 men for thirteen weeks upon an amended Government subsidy of £4 per week in lieu of full wages subsidy as operating at present. It was decided to advise the Department that the council could not see its way to make a contribution to the wages of the men, on the grounds that no provision had been made when framing the estimates and for other reasons to be advised by letter. The St. Vincent de Paul Society was granted remission of the rent of the Municipal Hall for the Charity Ball. Advice was received from the District Public Trustee that he was agreeable to act as Abattoir Sinking Fund commissioner. It was decided to make a grant of £lO to the National Art Gallery Board. The Commissioner of Transport wrote concerning the proposed school crossings and school patrol regulations. The traffic inspector reported that in his opinion the scheme was a good one but the provision of pedestrian crossings at schools was a matter of policy which must be decided by the council. The patrol system as at present working at the largest school appeared to be working satisfactorily. No action was taken.