LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 3, Issue 873, 14 September 1881, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.

PARLIAMENTARY

Wellington, September 14

The House got into Committee of Supply last night, and passed the Esti' mates to class eight without material alteration. The Representation Bill has passed the Legislative Council without amendment.

THE BEGINNING,

A scare arose here yesterday at a report that a small-pox case had been discovered at Thornton. Enquiries, however, revealed the fact that the child was suffering from chicken pox. only.

NATIVE AFFAIRS.

The Stella takes 40 armed Constabulary to Opunake, reports of native disturbances becoming more'serious,

SMALLPOX. Stpney, Four fresh cases ot small-pox are w ported. COMMERCIAL PROGRESS.'

It is reported that the Western Australia will subsidise the Netherlands Steamship Company, and expect a great impetus to trade at Perth,

FIRE. TISIARUMrs Hope's shop and premises were destroyed by fire, caused by the bedroom curtains accidentally being set alight.

TRIOKETT GAINS A VICTORY,

Canada, Sept. 12. Triekettv/on the Consolation-Race at the Toronto Kegatta,

TERRIBLE LANDSLIP. . 200 PERSONS CRUSHED TO DEATH. London, Sept. 12. News has been received that a landslip at Elm, in Switzerland, has caused the death of 200 persons,

EXTRAORDINARY METEOROLOGI-

CAL OCCURRENCE,

Brisbane, Sept, 13.

The residents of Olive were recently much alarmed bj a bursting meteor, which left a- long train of white smoke and was accompanied with a noise like thunder, Many thought the end of the .world had come.

SEVERE EARTHQUAKES IN PERSIA. 3,09 PEOPLE" KILLED.

Several severe earthquakes have oc r curred in Persia, and have oausad great loss of life and property. The houses fell and crushed inhabitants, whole familiesbeing extinguished together.

DEAD LOSS. : ■..' , '' Adelaide. The Assembly decided to; expend

MASTERTON. BOROUGH OOUML,

The ordinary meeting of the Masterton Borough. Council was held last evening. Present—His Worship the Mayor, and. Ors Bish, Bentley, Vile, Perry, Russell, and McCardle. Messrs Price, Dixon, and Gapper made the usual declaration and took their seats. ' The minutes were read and confirmed. CORRESPONDENCE, Inwards,—From J. Olayaon, giving notice that he intend to erect a bakehouse and oven on pact of Town acre 72, asking permission to begin at once; from Borough Surveyor,'tendering his resignation of the office, owing to his dissatisfaction with the instructions, &c., (or want of them) from the Council; from E, Bezar, Borough Ranger, reporting in an original and amusing manner a loss of 35j which he had sustained through impounding an old mare which he could not sell even for dog's meat. He wished to know if he was bound to impound Buch antiquated pieces of horseflesh,

Outwardi.-To S. Hounslow, granting extension of timefor completing stumping iu Cole-st,, to the 14th Sept., after which date full penalties will be enforced; to R. McKenzie, te same effect re Queenst,; to T. York, re completion of Shortst,,stating that if he did not push on with ,it the Council .would complete it at his cost; to Oounty Clerk, stating that the Borough Council could.not allow the paymeat of County's share of Waipoua bridge maintenance to stand over any longer, and that the Council would be sorry to take proceedings for the recovery of the same; toG, Beetham, M.H.R., enclosing oapy of resolution passed at last meeting of Council re his action in the County Council meeting; to the Hon Minister of Justice, re necessity for new Court louse, and enclosing copy of resolution, and extract from Wairarapa Daily, reporting Judge Shaw's remarks at last sitting of District Court,

hrbezar'sietter, This unique report drew forth considerable discussion,

Or Bish thought it was hardly respect' ful to the Council.

The Mayor said that it was'not sufll oiently definite,

Cr Vile considered the Ranger oould please himself as to whether he impounded such animals or not,

Cr McCardle thought the Ranger was appointed to keep the streets free from stray cattle, and very properly asked what he was to do in cases where he was certain to suffer a loss in impounding such animals ]

Cr Bentley aiked if the poundkeeper was to turn into the streets again Buch horses or cattle as he could not sell 1

The Mayor said they could get over that difficulty by the Council purchasing such animals and knocking them on the head,

■lt was ultimately resolved—That the letter be referred back to Mr Bezar for him to state definitely what he required the Council to do in the matter.

APPLICATIONS. The application of Mr J. Clayson for permission to erect a bakehouse was granted. ' Work to be done under supervision of the Borough Surveyor. The application of IVjfr J, Vile for permission to erect three posts to tie horses to in Queen-street, was granted. Or Resell suggested that the hook for hanging the reins on be on the centre post to prevent horses getting on the footpath.

, STANDING ORDERS. Or Price asked if it was not compulsory on Crß to write all resolutions and hand them to the Chairman. The Mayor explained that such was the usual custom, but at the Council meetings he had found it flayed time and worked equally well for the Glerk to write them down. He also explained that he had inaugurated the system of preliminary discussion for the same reason, as it saved time by avoiding the necessity of numerous amendments. He noticed the County Chairman waa adopting this system now, town clerk's report.

Mr R, Brown reported that the Finance Committee were two members short, owing to the retirement of Ora Gapper and Gray: that it was desirable to authorise two moro Councillors to sign cheques; that -the Vy.orks Committee was short of two members ihrough the resignation therefrom of Gr JfpGfardjle and retirement of Cr Gapper,;"that "application had been made to the Council to construct a footpath from Smith St. to the mill creek ;i that certain properties in Hope, Church : and Wrigley St. had not contributed to works now going on in those streets; that the West County Council had again put off paying Waipoua bridge account this time for the reason that there was a contra account, whereas no such account exists; that the Council had not communicated any further re the bridge account, nor have said anything before re contra account. He would refer the Council' to Clause 24 of the Municipal Corporation Act 187G amendment 1880, as 1)8 did not think the Council intended pacing unless forced, Mr G, Chamberlain' was prepared to give 10ft of his land for widening .IJpper Plain'rpad, and allow the hedge and fence at once)'? be removed! provided the the Council" w'ou'Td re-plant! the former if it did not grow, i'hp present overdraft is 1253 5b 4d.

FINANOE COMMITTEE, CrMoCardle proposed that Ora Price and Gapper be added to the Finance Committee, Seconded by Cr Perry, and carried.

WORKS COMMITTEE REPORT, Kerbing,—The Works Committee reported'that a request had been made for a .kerbingin front of Mr Greaves' pre* raises. "

Gr Dixon underataod ,that Mr Nico), the applicant, only wanted the Kerbing'as far at his property extended, arid moved that the application be referred to the Works Committee to be carried out, Or Russell seconded the resolution, but objected to a yard or two of footpaths being done.

Or Vile would like to see the footpath .continued to the mill-stream, and hoped 'the Works Committee would see their way to make a complete job of it, Or Djxon did not think they should do more than they were 'aske'd to do by' the parties interested, The Mayor said it would come very heavy on MrsQreathead to make her contribute to the path.

The resolution was carried. ; Short-street. —The Committee drew attention jto Mr fork's contract. Or Bflnljey' recommended calling for fresh tenders, and accept' one at a rate at which it could be'completed."'They should not accept, tenders at such a rate that they could not be conscientiously parried out, '' Or Price asked if Mr York's sureties wo'uldnijt finish, tye wqrkj The .Mayor said they ''hadn't go,t any sureties-they had not' been accustomed to have thern. The present contract, hmver, was their first mishap, All contraots had hitherto been completed, even though the contractors did not earn eighteehpence a-day. Thoy had.secured themselves with York by not paying him for what he had done, Resolved—That fresh tenders be called for. Inspection feet—The Committee recommendafee 0 f gs forinepectingdan-

10a 6d, and other premises, when no licenses were issued, ss, The Mayor explained that though there was a license fee, there was no fee for inspection, and if a license were not granted the surveyor got no remuneration, Or Bish thought the 10s 6d fee rather high. CrMcOardle aiked.if they could levy the fee without a new by-law.-The Mayor thought they could; Or Vile considered it was the duty of the Inspector »f .Nuisances to inspect dangerous goods stores.

The recommendation of the Committee ivni adopted. Works Committee. —Cr MoCardle moved that Cr Gapper be re-appointed on the Works Committee, which would make the number four, which he thought would be sufficient. '■ If, as before, it contained five members, it would constitute an; absolute majority in the Council.

Or Vile seconded the motion which was carried,'

Cheques,—Cra Gapper and Price were authurisod to sign cheques en behalf of the Financial Committee.

Defaulters —The Committee reported that the holders of certain, properties in Church, Wvigley, and Hope-sts., had not paid contributions towards footpaths.. Or Gapper moved again the resolution which he moved a month ago,.; They had .rescinded the, old resolution' as' to'the' proportion of contribution, and they could not deal effectually with works without a standing resolution to control absentees and unwilling ratepayers, to. pay their proportion as authorised by the Act.. The charge could bo made by a scale bylaw, which would enablo them te give the information as to costs which ratepayers required before they were willing to give their consent to any work proposed. His' former proposal was a contribution of IBs tor footpaths on a half-chain road, 17i fid for a three-quarter chain road, arid 20s for a chain road, with 20s per chain extra where a kerbing was required.

Or Dixon objected to Buch. ohargos being made unless a proper kerbing wis given to the contributors.

Or Vile advocated allocating the actual cost »f each work, and letting those who wanted kerbings pay for them, and those who.did not want them go without. They could not fix a satisfactory sliding scale. Gr Gapper said that his estimate tvas really a contribution towards the roads rather than the footpaths. They could not make ratepayers contribute towards roads, and so the Works Committee placed the charge on the footpath. Cr Price suggested that the matter be referred to the Works Committee for its report. The Mayor suggested that the Council appoint some one to form-a Committee with Cr Gapper to make a by-law for the purpose.

Cr Gapper would move a resolution to that effect, instead of his first motion, The Committee to consist of Ore McOardle, Price, and the mover, Cr McOardle would like Home other name to be inserted in place of his, as he had much private work to do, mid could hardly devote sufficient time to his public duties. He hoped, however, shortly to make up for this, He moved that Or Vile'B name take the place of his. This was agreed to and tho motion was carried.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO STREETS. Cr Gapper moved that in all streets where people contributed to the work, non.-GQntributors should be charged their full proportion towards the footpath. Or Vile-Then where will be' the good of your by-law ? Seconded by, Cr Bish and earned, j| being understood the resolution took till the plan was prepared.

WAIPOUA BRIDGE ACCOUNT, The Mayor said the County had not treated the Council with common courtesy in the matte; they had neither acknowledged their letter nor sent the contra account which the County Chairman stated existed! The Borough Counoil had to rely upon newspaper reports for their knowledge of the proceedings' of .the Council in the matter, \ "'''! Or Gapper expressed himself to a simi ; : lav effect, and moved—That the Town Clerk take the necessary proceedings to recover the amount by law. Cr Bish seconded.

Cr Gapper the reason for moving this resolution was that the County had neither acknowledged their letter nor sent its contra account, and lie therefore did not consider the County had treated the Borough with common courtesy. 'Cr Price moved as an amendment— That .the Clerk write again to the County Counoil on the matter. He thought it would be very un'wise'to riish ii^tg.Court till every other possible means haid been tried.

Cr Bish explained that those bad already been tried, and he held that the Council had treated the Borough with contempt. Cr Vile seconded the amendment, and supported Or Prioe's view, Ho bad no doubt the acoount would be paid, Or Rusaell supported the resolution. Cr McCardle supported the amendment. The recent changes in the clerkship had no doubt caused a delay, and he considered time should be given for the new clerk to send in the contra account. He considered they were not showing proper respect'to {he fydiinoil jn the pro-; posed action.' "' s ' ''''' ' : '' '' '' j Gr Gapper stated the Town Olerk had ; distinctly said there was no contra account, and they could believe what he stated, Tho action of the County Counoil implied that the Town Clerk's books wore not correct. He (Cr Gapper) would support the Olerkj.and did not believe there was a contra account. .

Cr Biah again pointed out that the course proposed in the amendment had already been carried out, and were they to go, on for over that way ? The position taken up by the Qbunty Qouncil was an utterly 1 absurd one! '

Or Yile 'pointed'out that there might ha a contra against the Borough', as before the latter repaired the bridge, either {he County or Highway Board had dnnesomething to it, and, if the former, the contra did exist.

Cr Bussell stated he knew the Highway Board or County only did work half-way across the bridge, the Borough Overseer did the repairs on the Borough half,

Or Ijixbn held that in any .oase if the County had a contra they should have sent Itjn before, ' f: " : ' ' Mi •II

• Cr Price' considered it would look ex tremely foolish for two" bodies,'each elected by the public, to be dragged into a law Court over such a matter. Every effort should be made to avoid this.

The Mayor said he must confess he had no sympathy with the. amendment. ' The Borough had (jona its duty ajll lew riothing'of a'oontra account " •' 'On the amendment being put the voting was even. The Mayor gave his 'casting vote against it and deolared the resolution carried.

Or McCardle hoped if the Borough lest the case those Ors who voted for going to law, would pay the eosja,, ••••''

MR OF)»ER. Cr Gapper explained that he, on behalf of the Council, had employed men who had removed the fenoes and quicks all along where .the land had been given to the Council, and the men would start in the morning to remove Mr Chamberlain's and Mr Hegirie's if tho Council ■ accepted their offer. Several had held, out againßt land till the laßt moment. tin, wmi l ' i ii ii i

of widening the (treat, and had now consented. The offer was accepted, the Mayor remarking that the Works Committee certainly deserved credit for the manner, in which they had conducted this undertake »«• /■ RESIGNATION OP THE BOROUGH SURVEYOR. This was allowed te stand over till next meeting, after a long discussion re the fees charged for inspecting chimneys. The result was the same as in our report of a previous one ou the same subject; Some dissatisfaction was expressed that the surveyor should have t&ketin t(nitor's opinion on, the by-lawj^/jtead-ef that of the Council which fdrmed them, and would therefore best understand what their intention was. His Worship said that if Mr Russell resigned they would not be able to get a more conscientious man to take his place. ACCOUNTS. The Finance Committeehaving been two members short, the accounts were passed by the Council, stibjeot to their approval by the committee, With reference to one item, Cr Gapper spoke strongly against Cr Bnssell's action in authorising the expenditure of Mi or £>o on work in High-street which had never come before the Council and which the Couuoil knew nothing of. ii or £9 had also been spent without 'authority outside Cr Eussell's gate. The Kuripuni people had maligned him, (Cr Gapper), but he could appeal to the minutes and reports to show that 'whatever he had done he did openly and above-board. He considered Cr Bussell had done a most illegal thing. Cr Russell defended himself and taunted. Cr Gapper with flying at him because the Kuripuni people would not vote for him (Cr Gapper) for the Counoil. He said Cr Gapper had himself put in a culvert in ; Albert-street without bringing it before the Council. He considered Cr Qapper's remarks beneath notice.

Or McCardle thought if the statement of Or Gapper were correct it should be thoroughly inquired into.

Or Dixon said it was time such a state of things was put a atop Cr Gapper explained that the culvert he had put in in Albert-street had been beforo the Council, and Or Russell prepared the plant, Jf he had prepared them he wouldhave made abetter job of them. (Gr Eusssll I hear, hear, Self-praise is no eredit 1) The only culyert he had put in without bringing it before the Council was one in Wrigley-it,, and this was an urgent work. If a good job had not been made of it, he was quite willing to pay for it out of his own pocket; He would «»y most oinphatically that the work at KuripUni had never been brought before the Council. The resolution was then passed. BY;LAWg,

The Mayor brought up a reporn ve Jhe, alteration of the by-law re approaches across footpaths, but as many other laws required altering or amending, it wu agreed to allow this to stand oyer,

'OVERSEER'S REPORT, Mr Hutton reported that )>« thought the oon.tr ictor for Sb'ort.-stivst had done all the work he intended to do onthecqnji. tract, as nothing had been done report; Mr Stevenson, thecontracloiV/f High-street, had commenced," iAfa was rw ceeding satisfactorily, as was also MrV Hounslow in Perry-street, Mr Gold, ing in Hope-street, and Mr White in .."Wrigley-street. Bentley Bros, had stopped work in Churoh-atreet till it was inspected. The road maintenance contractor was clearing out tho water-tables at Kuripuni road, Notice had also been given him to repair Upper Plain road, two loads of raeta} had been placed upon it but nothing moredono,

Cr Vile stated the Upper Plain Roa4 was in a disgraceful stato, and 1 neeM attention at once, Mr Houuslow's exci|si for the delay was that he could not get into the gravel pit, but he (Or Vile) thought if this was'the case they should get another gravel pit. INSPECTOR OF NUISANCES.

Mr Ingrain reported that the Bentleystreet swamp nuisance was not abated to his satisfaction, as it required more opening up, and tc/'be cleaned out. to remove the weeds and denying 'matter. B« rt? ported that Messrs lorn? and were the only persons irho had efeotu'allj abated the nuisance on their properties', Cr Gapper explained that there were certain bars aoross the stream which required cutting away, and would &U»w the nuisance to quickly subside. After discussion it was decided, on the motion of Cr Vile, seconded by Cr Dixon, to give fresh notic« to the parties .concerned to effectually abate the nuisance, MR HOUNSLOW'3 APPLICATION.

The application for payment of £75 on the street maintenance contract was referre'3'to the finance Committee, several Crs expressing themselves, as anythiHg but satisfied at the manner in winch/tb A ' workwas being carried'out.

STREET MAINTENANCE, Cr McCardle moved that a committee consisting of Crs Bish, Price, Gapper, and the mover be appointed to examine and report upon all streets under the contract. Ho contended that they would be able to show that 20s had beet) paid for every fjt of work done, The contractor used bin team and his time on o(her contracts, and the street maintenance was carried out very unsatisfactorily.

The Mayor explained to the Council that their Oyerjesr had full power to gjve, the contractor nqtioe to perforin arij* neoesiary work, anifif he it within a certain tiiae, Council could dfj so and charge the con tractor. If tips had. not been done it was their Qvsrsgjr'l fault.

Or Vile: Then we had better discharge tho Overseer. •;-,

The Mayor did not see what good the committee could do.

Cr Biah suggested that the Oonkiittee could bring up a report uponfir the, Blreejs, aqd the Qoqnoil qnuld thqn see what work required to. bo aild'gjifj the necessary notice. n ' '"' • ; i>'" QrGapper expired that the Overseer had informed him'{hat he would have put on men and teams, but that he oould dot get either: >..

Cr Bentley stated he had been accused of being j°alous because his sons had not ■• obtained ' the contract. ; If they had he felt sure they would lm inado a better', job ofjt/ The contractor looked niofey after his other contractu than this one. arid • w»i frequently about dome nothing, He' wqlM speak his «d ■ whether he offended or pieced, ' ■'' ••'•.:.:. The Jfayor thought {he contractor'* '"' work was better done than that done by * the Council, though he'did not intend to make any apology for the contractor. . ! .. The resolution was'then put and 'carried, ; [After several nthor' matters had been discussed the' Cnonoil adinurVied ii (juar'ter ; past \\ to \ o'oWV to-night. Tp--' balance of our report' 1 wil) appear 'tomorrow.] " '•' ' '■•-' - ''"