MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 219, 23 July 1879, Page 2

MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The usual fortnightly meeting was held last evening. Present—His Worship the Mayor, and Crs Gapper, McCardle, Feist, Gray, Woodroofe, Russell, and Renall. REPORTS, The Borough overseer reported favorably Oil the various works in progress. RETURN. The Town Clerk laid on the table the return of the law expenses ordered on the motion of Or Rennall, NIGHT SOIL,

Cr JMcCavdle stated that complaints were made of the manner in which the night-soil contract was being carried out and.of the.chargesmade by the contractor. • The Mayor believed there were grounds of complaint, and investigation was desirable, . . Cr Gapper considered that the complaint should be brought before the Council! in. writing, so that they might have ■some date to go upon.. Councillors might as well be scavengers at once as inspect such work, CrMcCardle moved that the former Nightsoil Committee be requested to report on the manner in which the contract was being carried out. All that the committee would have to do would be to give the Inspector of Nuisances 'the necessary instructions to inspect. , Cr Woodroofe considered they were out of order. The question was altogether within the province of-the Inspector. Cr Eenall did not,know that it was the duty of the Inspector, to look after a contractor. He had no knowledge of any such duty having been assigned to him. He advocated the complaints being lodged •in a proper manner, and then for the Council to deal with the matter. Cr McCardle, in reply, argued that the nightioil contract was a part of the Inspector's duty, and showed that in other matters the Council were in the habit of taking notice of verbal communications, and that any Councillor, when he heard of anything wrong, was justified in mentioning it.' Crs Eeriall and Gapper stated that it was their practice to ask all complainants to submit their complaints in writing. The motion was put'and lost,

APPLICATIONS. Cr Woodroofe reported that he had jus^ received a deed of transfer of a piece of land that he had purchased for the Local Board, in Victoria-sheet. He explained that the purchase money was raised by voluntary subscription, He moved that a small amount be paid to the solicitor Mr Gawith which was due for extra labor on the transfer. Cr Renall objetted to the amount being paid unless a formal account was renpered. Cr Gapper from his personal knowledge nupported the motion. The difficulty arose through a question of survey. The motion was agreed to. KURIPUiU Cr Russell wished to know whether the improvement of the Kuripuni road was to be attended to, and alluded to Mr Shute's late accident, The Mayor replied that money was voted for the work specified, but no money for it was as yet available, Cr Renall denied that the accident took place on the road referred to. The Public Works Committee were trying to carry out the votes all over the district, but from the way money was being voted away, he thought that the works first undertaken would get the lion's share. CHAPEL-STREET. Cr Gapper alluded ta a piece of work in Chapel-street which was dangerous to foot-passengers. He also called attention to the road opposite the Town Hall, where a serious accident was imminent on the previous evening, He moved that the dangerous part be fenced in, and the road continued from Chapel-street to Hallstreet.

Or McCavdle also called attention to a culvert in Church-street, Or Russell held that the most dangerous part of the Borough was the Kuripuni road, and had a prior claim. Or Renall narrated the repeated applications made to him for assistance. His usual answer was, " Have you paid your rates ?" and when they answered " No !" he told them to pay them. Next year the committee hoped to be able to make their roads in fine weather, and not have to contend with them in winter time. They would come to either levying a special rate or require the public interested in particular localities to contribute towards the cost of local works. The question was referred to the Public Works Committee.

THE BOROUGH SOLICITOR. Or Renall moved that owing to the depressed state of tha Borough funds the resolution passed June 24th, authorising the payment of £lO per annum be cancelled. He did not wish to say anything against the Borough Solicitor, but he thought that the Council would not be likely to require legal advice and in the present state of its funds could save the amount, Cr Gapper seconded the resolution.

Cr Feist objected to passing a resolution one night and rescinding it the next. The charge was a moderate one and it was desirable to have a recognised legal adviser.

Cr McCardle advocated the retention of Mr Bunny's services. The Council was in a safer position with a Solicitor, and Councillors were relieved of responsibility in legal matters. Cr Russell thought the motion before the meeting was penny wise and pound foolish.

" Cr Woodroffe considered the motion wise and judicious, They had gambled too much money in the Council. They did not want advice, and if they did they could get it for six and eightpence, instead of paying £lO for it.

Or Renall in reply pointed out that the rates would not stand the legal charges. He was as good a lawyer as Mr Bunny. That very clay lie had given opinions in six cases. He stated that he would take an opportunity of referring the question to the ratepayers, The Council divided on the resolution; Afes, 5; Noes, 3. The motion of Or Renall was therefore carried. The Council then adjourned.