MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 3, Issue 706, 2 March 1881, Page 2

MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The usual fortnightly meeting-was held at the Council Chambers last evening, Present—His. Worship Ihe Mayor, and Crs Gray, Vile, Bish, and Ben I ley. The minutes of tho previous meeiing were read and confirmed, CORRESPONDENCE. Outwards—To F. W. Hales, lion, aeo; Masterton Institute, enclosing resolution passed at last meeting of Council; to W. W; Corpej-ordering timber; to W, G. Bejrd, enclosing cheque for £4 4s, costs awarded by-V*the' Assessment Court of 1878. Inwards—From the Under-Secretary ofPublic Works'; acknowledging receipt of letter re diverting roadat Kuripuni, and not meia'ling same, and stating the matter had been referred to Iho Engineer-in-Chief for explanation ; from the Bame, staging enquiries had been made, and it. appeared that originally the road in question, for a width of 15ft had been cleared' mid the stumps removed, but that nothing had been done towards ils construction, while the diversion had been formed and fenced on both sides,'and that therefore the Board would no doubt come to the conclusion that the Government had done all that could reasonably be expected of them, '

■ VALUATION ROM, The Town Clerk reported that, in accordance with instructions, he had objected to several of Iho valuations made for the ensuing year, ane in each cise had obtained an increase, The total value for the year 1881-2 was £21,879, being £DS increase on last year. Upon this assessment a rate of la in the J3 would yield £1093 19s. BESSIN'GXON'b USB DIVERSION. The Mayor said that the Government had evidently been incorrectly informed, hb the Council had not only cleared and formed the road, but had also metalled four or five chains. He could not see what great difficulty ,the Government would have in metalling the road, as they could get the metal so easily, while it would cost the Council, about £3O, Or Vile moved—That the Town Clerk be instructed to again write to the Minister of Public Works on the matter, Seconded by Or McOardle and carried FINANCE COMMIT fEE. The following accounts were rocommonded for payment . Valuation ... £l2 0 0 Wa7Gs,Aio. ... 1012 0 Mr Renall, metal 6 5 0 J. Payroll & Co. 1 17 6 M. Caselberg & Co. ...-. ... 31410 S. Hounslow.... ... .... 52.10 0 The recommendation of the Committee was adopted. WOEKS COMMITTEE,

Tho Works Committee report recommended that notice be given to the following property-owners to fence (heir several seci'-iona:—Mrs McKenzie, Chapel-street ; Messrs J. V. Smith, Simcox, Meredith, Elkins, and Heggie, Victoria-street, The Committee recommended that the footpathin Victoria-street be metalled, and a temporary kerbing put at the corner of Albert and Victoria-streets; that Mr Caselberg's attention be called to the damage done by his trap to'the corner post of Chapel and J'erry-sls.; f hat works under contract Bhall,be certified to and passed by not less than two members of the Works Committee, and all difference occurring as.to the proper fulfilment of any■ contract shall-be referred to the Works Committee as; awhole.

The Committee' also reported approving of plana and specifications of bo culverts in Eerialbtreet. and that they had called for tenders-Tor thejame; that Mr Shute had waited' upoiflfthe" Committee with subscription list re rail way station road, and that, the' Committee recommend a special rate .to be levied; that the Over*

seer had been instructed! to Bee tha| the contractor; finished,' the ; work the. Wesleyan Church in : a man-' ner. ' .:'■'-.i"'.\ : K' .- " : .".'i:\*l OVERSEER'S REPORT. 'V The Overseer. (Mr Hutton) s repoj:ted that Mr Burgess was proceeding with his contract in a satisfactory manner, and hoped to see the formation completed by the end of this week; : . that Mr Honhslow had finished his contract in Victoria-sLto the satisfaction of the Works Committee; that he had giveu Mr Hqunslcw: notice to metal Renal-street, which had been immediately commenced; that Mr Hounslow iiitoncis'to employ two additional carts, so as to get the heaviest part of his work done before the bad weather sets in.

• i:e nscm iff wcmu-smEi Or McCardle asked whether it was the intention to compell all owners of tinfenced land-to fence;" as if they made. a. distinction there would be complaint of partiality. Or Bentley explained that the recommendation only, referred to those who had properties abutting on the footpath. Cr Gapper thought.it was the duly of the Council to protect the ratepayers-on the streets where the footpaths were made, Cr Gray moved that notice be given to all parties having land unfenced abutting on footpaths, to fence the same.

CrM'cOavdlo seconded. Cr "Vile was in favor of the motion, and thought they should make it general... Cr Gapper explained that the reason that the names .mentioned were fixed upon, was simply because they could not think of the names of any others just at the time.' ■'■•,. <■' The resolution was Hied put and carried. - kwEiSa IS ALBERT STKF.ET.. Cr Beniley explained tho necessity of; kerbing at the corner of .Victoria and Albert-streets, It "seemed to be a usual thing for vehicles to cut the corner off to avoid the.metal.. He would move that the kerbing be constructed as recommenffed.

Or Yile seconded pro forma. Ho thought that if (hoy did (hia corner they -would-ha've to put kerbin? on every corner in the Borough. Ho thought the best thing thoy could do would be to make an example of one or two who drove over the corners, . .

Or McOardle agreed -with Cr Yile. Or Capper advocated the kerbiug, Or'Yile thought if people were cautioned by advertisement it would have tho effect desired, and if they made an example of someone ihey would save the unnecessary expense of kerbing, The motion was then put and lost. Cr Vile moved tint the Inspector of Nuisances be instructed to watch the corner of the streets, and to take action against anyone he saw, riding or driving on the footpath with either horse or vehicle. Cr McCardle seconded, The resolution was put and carried, Cr Gapper asked permission to erect the kerbing at his own expense. The road had never been properly completed by Hounslow, The footpath was lower than (he road, and was actually used as the road.

Permission was granted, on the motion of Cr Vile; Or Bentley who seconded, pointed out (bat although the'work had been passed, the metalling bad never been completed on a portion of this road, TUG DAMAGED POST, The Council instructed the Clerk to call Mr Caselberg's attention to the post damaged by his vehicle, and ask hira to replace it. OHU.ROH-SI. EAST. The Mayor stated that the end of this street wns in winter a mixture of boulders, mud, and water, and asked Cr Bentley, as the mover of (he matter ,in the Works Committee, to state the case to tho Council, Cr Bentley thought that a footpath from the school to DrHosking'B residenceshould "be made. He did not think it would cost very much, and would be a great convenience to the inhabitants.

Or McOardle agreed with the necessity of the footpath, but called attention to the claim of the culvert in Church -at reet, which ought, to be'seon to, and included in any plan for work in that street. He moved—That the matter ..bo left to the Works Committee to. report upon at next meeting. Or Vile seconded. There had teen very liitle done to thia street since the formation of the Borough. A piece of footpath had been formed near the Da/ly oftice and Mr Bunny's, to which those beriufitted had contributed liberally, and he thought that the ratepayers in I his street should receive some consideration, . The resolution was then put and carried. PASSING CONTRACTS. Or Vile moved—That three members of the Works Committee be necesarry to pass any work. Or McOardle seconded, and the motion was carried.

Kumrrai itAiiwAr koad, The Mayor explained that the Committee had had a long talk with Mr Shufe, who had attended with a subscription list 0f.£30. It was stated that many who wore'interested in the matter declined to contribute'any thing towards it, and he did not think 'they should make a difference between this street and other streets which had been formed. Victoria-street residents had.contributed two-fifths towards the construction of the street. Cr McCardlo spoke in favor of considering the claims of this road on somewhat different grounds, He did not say form and metal it right off, but they might do something to open it, He thought the work would be an important one in a year or two, He advocated raising a small loan to do necessary works. The money market was as easy as they could, ever get it, and labor was cheap, Several works required seeing too, and he. reminded the Council that a majority of the burgesses had expressed themselves as favorable to a loan, The Mayor opposed the idea of a loan, and ho would venture to say that there was not one in every three burgesses who was not glad that they had never raised the loan formerly proposed, He, tor one, would strongly oppose any'loan being raised. A shilling rate would enable them to do all they wanted to do during the nest year without going into debt, Cr Vilo thought it would be desirable to. meet the petitioners as far as they could in this matter. He understood that if some bush was fallen it would sufficiently clear the road to enable people to get to the station, and they 'would be satisfied. He was under the impression that the Works Committee were to report at that meeting. Cr McOardle said that he had moved a resolution to that effect last meeting.' The Mayor explained that this was the. report now before the meeting. Cr McCardlo stated that Mr'Shute threatened that if the' petition was not granted, he intended to endeavor to have the Borough divided, which he considered an easy matter,

Or Bentley said he. was not against the proposal to make a road at the, place in Question if they had the means to do it. Kuripuni had had already more than: its share of the Borough rates—(No!)—he said'yes; and many of the people'oh this lino would not give a single penny tb«

wardßthiswork. He had also heard at day that if they Rota road to tie 8 at on the-Kilripuiii residents intended nex topetition the Governments remove the - to Kuripum. He though the best thing they could, do wa»tolet the matter stand over, till.Mr Shuto reported again to tho Council. » Or Gapper stated that he agreed with Cr Bentley. .Hehadaskedßeveral people where the road was, and not one could tell him where it started or v where it ended. He took a " road" to mean a road that was actually used, but this-road-had never, been used as a road; and was merely a ■ boundary line. , . - [A discussion took place here on proper definition of the the term " road" , _Qr' McCardle h'6idih«. that* any road laid off on a plau was a road in. the meaning of the Act, hiSjWprshipimaintaining that only roads that were usod as such ' could be so defined. .Mr Travers' famous opinion on private streets was again read and appeared to support Or McOardle's, view; but it wasaoparent.that eaoh still ~v hold his own opinion. J ,CrTile stated that if it would take, a3 had been stated;' £la(j -to make footbath , and.carriage, road to: the means outside the Council would nave to betaken; but he-understood that if a bridle track only was cleared it would satisfy the petitioners.. He. thought the best thing 'they could do' would be to , meet those interested op the land,, so that they might understand what was really wanted..,, i, - .-■..'.,.

After. some further.. disoussion the matter was left, over till Cr Russell gave in further particulars, and Mr Shute reported again. ' . INSPECTOR OF NUISANOES REPORT. The Inspector reported that the person on whose land the niglitsoil was deposited neglected to .coyer it out of sight. He complained that' this was a serious nuisance, and asked the Council to take some steps in. the matter, explaining the reason ho had not done so. was that the place was out of hiß jurisdiction. (Ballame of report hi next issue.)