MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 65, 22 January 1879, Page 2

MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the above Council was held in the Council Chambers yesterday evening. Present— His Worship the Mayor (in the Chair) . and Crs Feist, Grey, Gapper, McCardle, 5 Murray, Eenall, Vile, and Woodroffe. Murom ■ B The minutes of the previous meeting 3 were read and confirmed. • j CORRESPONDENCE, t '• To tho Town Clerk of Wellington, and

IMrB. W. Mills, in reference to a'cart for'. the removal of night soil; and their ( replies. ..:;■) It was reported that the Works Com- i mittee had ordered a patent .cart, the I capacity of which was 280 gallons, and tho i cost £45105. . ■ | . FINANCIAL.' ] The Treasurer's statement was laid on ' the table, , ' EETUKN. I The Town Clerk kid on the table a : return of licenses in force within the Borough, moved for by Cr Yile at the '■ previous meeting.. PETITION. Mr Cole waited on the Council, and presented a petition from residents in Cole-street, urging tlie Council to proceed with the formation and metalling of that street without delay, so as to complete the work before the coming winter. In reply to a question from Cr Renall, Mr Cole stated that the length of road.in question was 20 chains. On the motion of Cr Renall, seconded by Cr Woodroofe, it was resolved that the petition be received, and its consideration be deferred to the next meeting of the Council. EEFOETS, Reports were received from the Nightsoil Committee, stating that the tender of Mr Hoffcins had been' accepted, and a form of agreement drawn up; and from the Inspector of Nuisances, with reference to the overflow caused by the lowness of the bridge across the creek leading to Messrs Tait and Murtagh's premises in Hall-street. On the motion of Cr Gray, seconded by Or Feist, the Inspector's report was re:; ferred to the Works Committee.' A report from the Library Committee was then-read by Cr Renall, who in moving its adoption pointed out the necessity of giving it immediate effect. The Institute, although completed, was closed, nor could it be opened to the public until those steps had been taken.. Cr Woodroffe wished for some assurance that the gentlemen proposed to form the Committee would give proper attention to their duties, He woutd like to see some additional names' on the Committee which would be a source of strength. Or McCardlo was of opinion • that the gentlemen nominated were in every respect competent. Facts spoke for themselves, and the beautiful building just completed bore testimony to'their energy and efficiency, The Mayor expressed the same conviction. It would be difficult to appoint any other committee with satisfaction, on account of the existing liability which they could scarcely be expected to undertake, nor would the bank perhaps be prepared to accept the transfer. The report indicated that the amount might be reduced during the year and showed an, available balance. They might also rely on the assistance of the Town Lands Trustees to I place the Library in a sound financial position. The Institute should bo opened as soon as possible and the public given access to the books. The wisest plan would be to adopt the report and appoint . an energetic sub-committee to carry out i the arrangement. , Cr Yile suggested that Councillors who ( wished to see additions made to tho Committee as proposed, should name them, i He himself saw no objectionto that course and would be happy to find Cr Woodroffe ' on the Committee. i Cr Renall explained that he was merely t asking the Council to adopt the report not i to appoint a committee. In the present Committee they had a good guarantee, . seeing that they were personally rosponsii ble for the payment of a considerable i amount. He, for one, would not allow that noble building to come to grief; he would do his best to support it, and he . trusted that-others shared his determination, t The Mayor said that the mere fact of i the existence of the building said much for the Committee, and augured well for its : future prosperity, He deprecated the use j of disparaging remarks, and would now . put the question. ' The report was then declared adopted .. as read, on the voices. » Cr Vile moved, and Cr Gapper secon- , ded:-" That Crs Renall, McCardle, and the Mayor be appointed a sub-committee ; to give effect to the report."—Carried, t Or Murray moved, and Cr Gray secon- [ ded—"Thatthe following gentlemen be appointed a Managing Committee for one . year:—Messrs J. Bennett, E, Feist, J. Vile, F, W, Hales, D. McGregor, J. F, - Teakle.andß. G.Williams." > On tho proposition of Ors McCardle and , Vile, the names of Crs Renall and Murray were added to the resolution, which was • then carried, f Cr Gapper moved, and Cr Vile secon- ! ded-" That the Rev J. F. Teakle be ap- [ pointed Chairman of the Committee," It was moved as an amendment by Cr ; . McCardle, seconded by Cr Renall—" That t, tho name of the Mayor bo substituted for s that of Mr Teakle," ( A lengthy discussion then ensued which P elicited from Councillors a general expresj sion Of approval of and confidence in Mr ( Teakle as Chairman, but the impression of [ some was that the interests of the Institu- » tions could be better advanced under the i direction of a gentleman who was not a clergyman, Cr Murray ultimately moved, as a furI ther amendment; that the name of Mr Joseph Bennett be substituted for that of f Mr Teakle in the original motion, 3 The amendment was seo°"dcd by 'his ! Worship who, with W<° permission of the Council, rctM in favor of Mr Bennett. A shoff of hands was then taken, when j there voted. . For Mi-Bennett, G f „ Teakle, I 3 Mr Bennett was therefore duly elected v Chairman of tho Committee. The Council then proceeded to the disJ cussion of B OEDINAEY BUSINESS.' " Permission was given to the Town Clerk to procure printed forms of licenses. B VALUATION EOLL. On the proposition of Cr Renall, seconH ded by Cr Feist, it was resolved—That 3 Crs McCardle and Renall form a oommit- " tee, in conjunction with the Town Clerk, ' to investigate the Valuation Roll, and to > lodgo objections thereto before the sitting £ of the Assessment Court. ce. woodeoffe's plan. Cr Woodroffe submitted a plan of his property, being part of sections Nos, 16 and 17, of the Small Farm Block. Cr Vile moved that the plan be not j accepted, and characterized Cr Wood- ' roffe's action as a useless attempt to waste * the time of the Council. ) Cr Feist seconded the motion, He was i sony the matter had been revived, and conceived it his duty to oppose it in every way. „ Cr Renall thought the land hitherto in 3 question was not shown on the present plan. ; ' • Cr Woodroffe. confirmed the last' 1 speaker.....

Cr Renall romarked that the Council did not appear to be acting with fairness towards Cr Woodroffe. The Act provided for compensation in such cases, and the Council had no claim to extort a large sum from a freeholder upon cutting up and selling his, land. The road might perhaps be a convenience, but it was certainly not a necessity. Councillors should divest themselves of prejudice, and pass the plan as now before them. Cr McCardle would feel pleasure in passing. the plan if Cr Woodroffe would definitely promise to come to'the Council again when he cut up his land, 'He had no personal feeling in the matter, and did not wish to stand in his way. Cr Gapper expressed siniilarsentiments. The Mayor then invited Cr Woodroffe to give the required pledge, and ■, : Cr Woodroffe promised so fartomeetthe matter as not to include ip v 'anraaleJjgß[ land required for the road. *jhH|B The Mayor said the assuranceWlHH meet the point, and was unsatisfactoaHj He strongly condemned the course purs JH| by Cr Woodroffe in coming again aiH| again to that Council with the same plaj| after having received an emphatic "no.'H| The question was then put, and declareflß carried oh the voices. ' H licenses. ■ H On the proposition of-Cr Vile, secondecK by Or Renall, it was resolved;— That l'.e"fl Inspector of nuisances be. empowered to 1 give-notice to all, carriers' and hawkers fi plying within, tho Borough, to take out licenses within 14 days, failing which legal proceedings would be taken against them. debentobes. The Council then resumed the adjourned ' debate on Cr Gapper's notice, of motion, as follows: '' " That this Council is prepared to undertake the consideration of work required, to be done in the Borough, provided that , those who require the work executed are willing to purchase the Borough Debentures at par: as payment for the same." Cr Renall suggested that Cr Gapper should withdraw his motion, until the Works Committee had brought up their Report, Cr Gapper was not prepared to accept the suggestion. The question had already beon fully discussed, and it was desirable to settle it at once. If tho scheme were successful, the funds at the disposal of the Council would be available for other improvements, and could be expended with advantage.to the Borough,. •■ .. r Cr Renall, although seconding the motion pro forma, would oppose it on the vote. The scheme would not work fairly, as the interest on the debentures would becharged on the.Borough as awhoie, which would not equitably share in the expenditure. Cr. Vile would support the motion, and suggested that a special rate might perhaps be struck. Cr Renal referred the' Council to the rc- ' cent opinion of the city Solicitor on the subject, to-the effect that money so raised could only be expended on some Bpecial , object, such as gas or water, and not up- , on street formation or general improvements. ' { Cr McCardlo would votewith the mover of the resolution. If debentures to any extent were taken up it would be a considerable relief to tho Council. The propo- ( sal was fair and reasonable, and although it was undoubtedly true as to payment of interest, it would be found more econo- [ mical than an over draft. ' Cr Feist would also support the motion; not because it.was faultless, but because it 1 was the only plan practicable. , CrWoodrooffe intended to give toJh® i proposal in its present form his mostrstrenuous opposition, but if the amount ' to be expended'in any one direction were ' limited to £IOO he would support it. Tho Mayor was in favor of the plan , which ho thought would work well in j practice, The unfairness referred to was but a shadow, and the Council would not sanction any glaring injustice. Ho was j prepared heartily to receive applications for debentures but feared .they be forthcoming, and that the.resolution j would prove a dead letter,- The charge , on the Borough would be small, and the public good to be gained great j he there-. , fore hoped to see the scheme successful. Cr Gapper having briefly replied— The Mayor put the question which was , declared carried on tho voices, , Cr Renall obtained leave to withdraw his proposition as to raising money, until the Works Committee had brought up \ their report. \ BYE-LAWS. It was resolved that the printed ByeLaws of the Borough be open to public inspection at the Council Chambers, j HALL-STEEET. On the motion of Cr Gapper, seconded Jby Cr McCardle, it was resolved:—" That instructions be given to Mr.'Hutton to employ another man to effect the removal ] of the bridges in Hall-Btreet," iTKE BELL, The Mayor brought forward the ques- , tion of the proposed fire-bell, which gavo rise to rather an animated conversation, Cr Gapper expressing himself as aggrieved by a statement which had. been published that no effort had been made. He " detailed tho steps he had taken, and the c trouble he had been at in the matter, and Cr Renall also gave information on the \ subject. The Mayor having suggested ' that there had apparently beon some informality in the way in which the subcommittee had gone, about the business, the subject then dropped. t The Council then adjourned at 10.30 p.m.