MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 3, Issue 897, 12 October 1881, Page 2

MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Thb ordinary meeting u f the above was held kit evening, Present-His Worship the Mayor, and Crs Bentley, Price, Bish, Gapper, Perry, Vile, Dixon, and Eussell, The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. COKHESPONDENCE, Inwards.— From Assistant Under Secretary for Public Works, ftfl kin» for return re taking land f..r roads.-From E. Bezar, acknowledging receipt of letter, and stating that lie would be in attendance at the Council meeting, and would, if permitted, K iv e any information required re pnund.-From the Minister of Justice, in reply to the resolution sent by the Council, stating that a new court house w«uld be shortly erected at Masterton, and tint Mr Wardell had been requested te furnish the particulars as to the accommodation required. - From Land Hggjrtry Office, stating that the land near the Masterton Club inquired about by the Borough, still belonged to Mr Cole—From County West Clerk, enclosing resolution re Waipoua Bridge, and asking the Borough to delay takiim proceedings till the question of the eontrol of..the bridge was settled, Outwards.—Tci D. Walton, giving notice t 0 fence his land in High-at.-To Jrustees of Town Lands, giving notice to fence properties in Russell, Chapel, and T P. Girdwood, returnirm letter.—To E. Bezar, same.Y' "id Worship the Mayor, expressing " 1B sympathy of the Council in his late bereavement.—To Land Registrar, re t"We of land abutting in Perry-street, asking if such strip had been set apart for road purposes,—To J, Brown, and "J. lorns, re auditing accounts.—To several burgesses re fencing, and paymeut of rates. TVAIPOUA BRIDGE MATTER. His Worship said the letter simply confirmed the opinion he had formed as to the action of the County. He did not see what the control of the bridge had to do with what had been done in 1880. Even supposing the County Council were granted'the control it would not effect what had been done, ■ He did not see that whatever action was taken could alter the boundary of the Borough from the south side of the river, He could hardly understand tlje remarks reported to have fallen from the Chairman of the County that the Comity could not put up with being bullied by the Borough. He did not know of any instance in which the Boroimh had'treated the County.with discourtesy. He thought no alternative w«g left to the Council but to t'ake'the mailer into the R.M, Court ,and,:J«f':it.v They had done work and Charged io'r'it wc'nrilingtolaw. ■ :•, :^|pj/^' ; -' ' f'jCr; Gapper movedi'j.ThM'the. Town

to recovertho amount due to the Borough for repairs to the Waipoua bridge." His 1 , Worship pointed out that the County, by paying the amount, would not prejudice its action re the control of the bridge,' ..Or Russell-seconded -the resolution. Th* present boundary had always existed from tit*. 'nying off of the Borough, and if tin w.iiiwl another six months' they would lm ii,. nearer a settlement. Cr Vile said he had at first deprecated taking proceedings, but considering the actum of the County he thought it was their duty to obtain the amount due to the Borough,-and supported the resolution in order to protect the interest of the ratepayers, The resolution was carried unanimously, FOUNDKEEPEKS' REPORT. The report showed that for the past four months the total number of cattle impounded was -Large, 194; small, 122; total of all kinds, 3J e. The report was laid upon the table. With rogard to the request for an allowance for loss on useless horseflesh, it was considered that this should be placed to profit and loss. The poundkeeper Btated that ho simply wished to record the failure to sell the horse and to obtain further instructions with regard to such animals; also as to impounding. Some said he had uo right to go on unfenced land, and he would like to have further instructions. His Worship said that all the informa-' lion the Council could give was in the by-law upon the subject. He could employ any assistant he wished to aid in impounding. In answer to Cr Price, Bis Worship stated the Banger was supposed to impound every animal straying about the Borough. NEW SCUOOL BUILDING. A sub-committee, appointed by tho •School Committee, wrote to the Council, asking it to allow the Borough by-laws tu be set aside in respect of the construction of closets at the new School, as the architect for the Education Board had included a cess-pit in his plan and specifications instead of the method authorised bytheßorough. Cr Dixon moved—That the Council does not see its way to suspend the Borough by-laws as asked by the Education Board's architect. Or Price seconded. The Mayor pointed out that they had no power to grant the request without rescinding the by-laws. The resolution was carried unanimously. CORPORATION COTTAGES. The committee appointed to report upon the above stated that after careful consideration of the present condition of the buildings, and the financial aspect of the question, they had decided to recommend that the Council let the whole of the cottages in one lot by publio tender for a term of years. The report was adopted, on the motion of Cr Price, seconded by Cr Russell. Cr Gapper moved that the same committee and the Town Clerk be appointed to draw up the conditions of the lease of the cottages, and carry out their recommendations. He thought a very liberal covenant should be made. Cr Price seconded the resolution, which was carried. It was decided that the lease be ten for years, WORKS COMMITTEE, Crs Gapper and Bentley handed in their resignations as members of the Works Committee, The Committee reported that an application had been received from residents of Kurupuni to cover culverts at Highstreet, also to fill in and complete footpaths round Cockburn's block, near Wesleyan Church, and from King-street to Waipoua Bridge. The Overseer Had been requested to put on a man to clean nut ditches in South street. The' Committee recommended that tenders be called for roads and footpath in Albert and Trustee streets, That notice be given to contractors to complete without delay the contracts in Perry, Wrigley, Colo, and Queenstreets. That Mr Ashcroft, District Railway Manager, he written to re arrangements' for metal for Railway road, The Committco reported that the footpaths promised on the Upper Plain mail were being asked for by settlers who had given land for the purpose of having them made. FINANCR, The following accounts were passed for payment : Labor, overseer 19 VI 0 Do do 25 8 6 Election expenses ~, 111 0 Oaselberg and Co,, supplies i (I 6 KURIPUNI APPLICATION. The Works Committee were instructed to have the filling in done, and tenders were authorised to be called—to be opened at next meeting—on the motion of Cr Oapper, seconded by Cr Price, Or Russell stated that by doing this work they would clear the gravel pit of a lot of loose stones that were at present blocking it up. FILLING AND FOOTPATHS APPLICATION, Gr Gapper explained the necessity of these works, and moved that tenders be called for them. Cr Russell seconded, Cr Dixon thought that as the footpaths near Cockburn's building were depressed through the building operations there, Mr Coekburn should himself make it good. Cr Vile drew attention to the increased rates they would derive from there buildings, and thought the work had some claims to be done for this reason. Cr Gapper stated the building of the premises had not interfered with the path, and if it had, he thought the builder should be compelled to make it good, and not the Council, as suggested by Cr Vile. The resolution was then put and carried. ALBERT AND TRUSTEE-STREETS, Cr Gapper moved that tenders be called for these works—to be opened at the next meeting of the Council. Or Russell seconded. The resolution was put and carried, UPPER PLAIN FOOTPATHS The Mayor explained that the request far the paths and culverts was in accordance with the promise of the Council in taking over the land, and he thought something should be done, though ho was afraid it would run them into a considerable expense, as it was so far to take the metal, &o, , Crs Perry and Dixon spoke in favor of the work, the latter advocating the work being done right through from Chapelstreet.

Or Vile moved that plans be prepared for that portion of the work from Mrs Yates' corner' to {he boundary of the Borough, Cr Perry seconded, and the resolution was carried, Cr Vile moved that the Town Clerk write to owners of land on. the opposite side of the street asking them to contribute to the work,—Carried, PUNS FOR CONTRACTS'. On,the motion of Cr Gapper, seconded by Cr Russell,. it was resolved that in future no original plan-shall be allowed to leave the Council Chambers, contractors to take true tracings to' work from, ■-■■ S;^OVERBEERB,;MPORT.^v:#>.:'.

his contract in Hall, Chapel, and Queenstreets satisfactorily; Mr Stevenson was progressing favorably with his work in High ■street, the first section having been completed, and about eight chains of the second finished. Mr McKenzie had stopped work on his contract in Queenstreet for gravelling the water-tables, and Mr Hounslow had done nothing to Perry-street since last meeting, aud was proceeding rather slowly with Wrigley street, only having two carts at the work. Mr White hud again commenced work on culverts in Ranall-street, and would soon complete the filling in. Messrs Bentley Brothers were proceeding with the metalling, in Church-street most unsatisfactorily, the metal being rather too fine. Mr Hounslow was repairing South-street, and had also received notice to repair the Railway road and the Upper Plain road, He took two loads of metal, and had done no more since, labor had accordingly to be employed. The overseer called the attention of the Council to the necessity to give notice to people having land abutting on the newly-formed paths in High-street to have approaches made over them, and also of the necessity to give notice to owners of land in Wrigley-street to fence it in.

The Mayor stated that it would be sew from the Committee's rowort that they had already taken some action with regard to a part of the Overseer's report, . It was resolved on the motion of Cr Gapper that notices be given to the contractors to proceed to complete the works mentioned by the Overseer, within seven days, or the Council would take the contracts over, and finish them at their expense. APPROACHES OVER FOOTPATHS. The Mayor explained that their bylaws did not give them power to give notice to people to construct approaches, but left it to the people to give notice that they wished to erect them, The burgesses would not give such notice, and would continue to cut up the paths, He had therefore prepared an amended by-law, which he submitted to the Council, to put the mattor upon a better footing, Cr Vile said he thought the Council was inclined to be too strict in the matter. Ho had crossed a footpath in the heart of Wellington whichjhad no protection, [for years, and never had a word said to him against it, and he thought the Council should occasionally shut their eyes when their by-laws were ignored;

Cr Gapper said the Works Committee only required power 10 compel people to put small box culverts in the water-tables, to prevent the latter being cut to pieces. Cr Vile read the by-law relating to approaches, and held that it gave the Council full power in the matter. The Mayor said it was a rather contradictory by-law, as it first stated that notice should be given by the Council, and thou that it should be given, by the party requiring the approach; but he thought that notice could be given under clause 73 to compel the erection of approached, Cr Bish moved that notice be given under section 73 to persons in all streoU where approaches were required. Cr Price seconded. Carried. Cr Gapper stated that this was the third time notice had been given, and the Town Clerk should be authorised to prosecute all who disobeyed the notice. TOWS clekk's PKOPOSAL. Mr R. Brown, the Town Clerk, submitted to the Council a proposal to invite all municipal corporations in the colony to form themselves into an association for the purpose of securing permanent improvements in the laws relating to such bodies. The Mayor stated ho would bring this matter before the Council himself as a notice of inoton. He thought it a very valuable suggestion, BOROUGH SURVEYOR'S REPORT. Mr G, Russell reported that the new premises erected by Mr A. Cockburn were not constructed according to the bylaws, no provision having been made to prevent the rain water dropping on to the paths; also that the front hearths to four fireplaces on the first floor had only a, depth of four inches of incombustible material instead of the eight inches required by section 13. Cr Russell explained that the clause referring to the dropping of water off coruicL's on to the footpaths waß a dead letter, as it had been found imp issible to work it in Dunedin and other places. [This portion of the resort was allowed to lapse] With regard to the hearths, His Worship said this was a more serioua matter. Tho Council always ssemad to he getting into trouble with their bi.ilding regulations. He felt more abroad on these bylaws than in any other part of the business of the Council,

Cr Bentley moved that the Borough Surveyor bo instructed tn see that the by-law was properly carried out. Cr Bish seconded, as more fires arose from faulty chimneys than from any other cause. The resolution was put and carried on the voices, hut Cr Gapper called for a division. He considered that they would be acting in a very arbitrary manner In London a 4-inch block of granite was considered sufficient, but in Masterton nothing less than 8 inches of concrete would suffice. He objected to the resolution on principle. The division showed only one " No"— Cr Gapper. CHAPEL-STREET FORMATION. Cr Dixon moved the further adjournment of the debate on this matter, Carried rERRY-STREET WIDENING, Cr Gapper moved tha* the Clerk be authorised to draw a cheque for the amount of the purchase money of the strip of land from Mr Perry on the receipt of the conveyance of the same. Cr Bentley seconded. Carried, BOROUGH SURVEYOR. The appointment of the above was held over till next meeting, Mr Godfrey Russell to act in the meantime. BUIiniNG REGULATIONS. Cr Dixon moved, pursuant to noticeThat Crs Bish, Vile, and the mover be a committee to revise the building regulations by-law. Cr Bish suggested that Cr Gapper bo added, as three were not sufficient. Cr Gapper declined to act. He also considered three enough, but did not think the Council comprised three men competent to draft proper building regur latinos. Outside knowledge should be used in this matter in order to enable the committee to bring up a good report. Cr Vile thought the Ouunoil'were being put to a great deal of trouble throuijh the application of one man, whom he believed could have avoided the necessity of ap plying to the Council at all in the way he had by simply going to the expense of moving a small Btahle Cr Prico thought Cr Vile in error, as the matter had heen brought up as the outcome of a pledge eiven at a msetins by Cr Dixon and himself. Cr Vilo—The discussion never oame up till this made.. _ Cr Dixon thought Cr Price elsn slightly in error. He (Or Dixon; had given nn pledge in the matter, but had promised to do bis best tn get the regulations modified, and this he wan doing. ■•'• ■ -The resolution was then put and cnried. , Ij&^-v,: FOOTPATEOHAROBB.V;.

to consider the by-laws and footpath charges. , dixon's estate. The plan of this estate was kid on the table and approved and accepted on the motion of Or Vile, seconded by Cr Biah, Cr Gapper objecting to its being' " accepted" as well as approved. WORKS COMMITTER. i Three members of the Works Oomraittpjl; having resigned, the Mayor moved thuF ' they be asked to re-consider their decision, He could not afford to lose them, he had but a few more weeks to be with them he hoped they would not refuse to' act as usual, \ Cr Price had much pleasure in seconw ing the resolution, !; -<iL ( Cr Bentley said the Works had been rather severely criticised at the last meeting, and he thought some other Councillors should take up the duties. He had not been one of those who passed the Hope-street contract, and he mu9t admit after inspecting it, that it was not what it should be. He would nat act any - more on the Committee,

Cr Russell said the position of Works Committee man entailed a lot of abuse, and very seldom an encouraging word, If the Borough required his services he would resign from the Council and offer them at a fair remuneration.

The Mayor said he and Cr Gapper had passed the work. The contractor had not mado three shillings a day out of the job, and though it was not first-class they had passed it. There were no large stones visible when they went over it, though they might have been there and covered up.

Cr Vile said he regretted the Mayor had not been present at the last meeting to have made that explanation, as undir the impression that the Committee would not pass an improperly finished contract he had moved that Mr Girdwood's letter be returned to him, He now regretted having dono so. CrDixon, us the seconder of the motion, spoke to the same effect. He would rote against the Committee being asked to continue in office.

Cr Gapper defended the action of the Committee, and said there no stones larger than an orange or n hen's egg thore when the work was pajsed. He was determined not to act any more, Or Russell would also decline to act further. ■[ r The Mayor pointed out that little troubles like these were always cropping up in public life, and they should act as he did. If he fell out with anyone at night nn a public matter he forgot all about the squabble by the next morning. Cr Bentley ascribed the trouble principally to letting contracts at prices for which men could not perform them, simply because they happened to be the lowest. He believed now that people in Hope-street were declining to pay for their share of the work done there.

The resolution w« • then put and carried, the Mayor ex,.".- <ing the hope that the members would, . l 3 the resolution had been carried by a large majority, forget all about their resignations and go to work as usual, He moved that Cr Bish be added to the committee. L Seconded by Cr Dixon, and carried. mrwyuie's application. After discussion it was decided that granting the application would not benefit the Borough, but would cause an ex-jf' pense, and the offer was not accepted. / Jm\ The Council then adjourned. " \*- PAYMENTS TO ROYAL COMMIS-. SIONEBS. * Mr Pharazyn has published the following letter in the Evening Post:—"Great use has been made against me, on the eve of the election, of the return of amounts paid to membors of the Royal Commissions, by which I appeared to have received 1224 14s, as a special allowance." The error was so obvious that I did not think it worth correcting, but finding that many have been misled by it, I have thought it necessary to obtain an explanation lroni the Treasury, and have just received a reply to my letter on the subject. Mr Heywood, writing " by direction of the Colonial Treasurer," after replying to my letter says:—" I am to express regret that the words' special allowance' were inserted aud allowed to pass undetected. The correct form of of showing what you received would have been to indicate the whole amount in one column, and under the head remarks to have shewn how the item was made tip, thus:— £ s J) For expensos,. at II Is per diem 113 8 0 Ordinary allowance to Royal Commissioners, at £2 2s per diem *224 It 0 • £338 3 0 This explains itself, and shows that I was quite right in supposing, as I did when the cheque for £22414s waß sent to me, very unexpectedly, that I was not being treated with any special consideration. I send this, feeling sure that your sense of fairness will induce you to sive it the same publicity as you have already done to the incorrect version of the affair.

*Mr Heywood omits to explain that this only applies to Commissioners who are not members of the Legislature, they being precluded by the Disqualification Act from accepting any " honorarium." Tee following editorial note is appended to it "Mr Pharazyn admits that his patriotism did not prevent his accepting 1338 2s as payment for about 3 months work. The gist of our article was that he was exceedingly well paid for his public services. Wo are not disposed to alter that opinion.—Ed.E.P." The gist of the article may be found in the following extract from it. It would have been fairer if our contemporary had admitted that he had written under a misconception: —"The members of the Civil Service Commission were, it will be remembered, Sir Robert Douglas, Bart., Mr A Saunders M.H.R„Mr T. Kelly M.H.R., and Mr, Charles Pharazyn. hach member honorarium for his services. Mr Saunders, the Chairman, was absurdly modest and received only 190 13s. Mr Kelly was paid 13s. Sir Robert Douglas claimed £ll3 13s and got it-a baronet would be worth more than a mere" Mister." But Mr Charles Pharazyn received no less than £338 2s, of which mi 14s is curiously described as " special allowance." Now, we should likYvory much to some explanation of this little transaction. Of course we are extremely pleased that the services of our Wellington Commissioner should have been so substantially appreciated by a grateful country. Still, we should like to know why Mr Pharazyn appropriated £338 3s Id out of the aggregate ofM9 10s paid to all the Commissioners. History relates that when Joseph entertained his brethren, J' Benjamin's mess was five times so much as any of theirs." Luoky Mr Charles Pharazyn has clearly come in for "Benjamin's moss." But why? He is not a baronet, like Sir Robert Douglas, or Chairman of the Commission, like Mr Saunders, or a Taranaki member, like Mr Kelly, Why should he have been so favored in the " sharing of the spoil ?" An " honorarium "-or, in plain English, salary..(we hato those misleading euphemisms) of is not bad for three or four mouths' work, and we are not at all surged that Mr Pharazyndeemed it, so vffijjjilesirable that the Civil Service Oomnn'ljbu should continue itilabore' indefinitely!^However, he has ggL^p« n^^^inii;may;fairlvreßty