MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 4, Issue 1058, 26 April 1882, Page 2

MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary. meeting was held last evening. Present—His Worship the Mayor and Crs. Caselberg, Heron, McOardle, Vile, Chamberlain, Gapper, Price, Perry and Feist. . THE BUHGESS LIST, The confirmation of of .burgess list was adjourned to next Monday night, in order to allow the names of those who had paid up arrears to be included on tho list. MINUTES. Tho'minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The correspondence was then read, HIOHBIt WAGES. Au application was received from the overseer on behalf of carters employed on Borough work, asking that they should bo allowed a shilling per day extra on account of tho high price of horse feed. This was granted on tho motion of Cr McCurdle seconded by Cr Heron, the' date when tho increase commences being fixed as Ist May. ItEKALL-STItEKT. Cr Gapper suggested that Mr Renall bo again written to, asking for a more satisfactory reply as to the title to land for footpath in llenall-st., and requesting him to kindly furnish it to the Council' as soon as possible, The Town Clerk explained that Mr Renjll had informed him he would enter into an agreement with the Council so that they could go on with the work while the title was being prepared. The matter was left in ihe hands of the Town Clerk fo"arrange.

FINANCE, The following were passed for payment ;-- McCarthy, Buppjiqs ... 10 IJ. 1 TipleynndSparksraan..'. \ 0 (j Ingram, (jogs ... .„ 7 (J 2 Chincnen, stationery .',', j. 10 6 Vayton & Cp. ... ... ~'. 2io 6 Smith i% Hogg.., , iio 6 ik, ... 29 0 4 Wonp commie. The Committee reported meeting, and receiving the following report of the overseer ; overseer's report, The overseer reported that Messrs Bentley Bros., were proceeding satisfactory with their contract in Short-street, as also were Messrs Tinsloy and York with the metalling of Chapel-street. He drew t]|B attention of tho Works Committee to tl|e Kurupqui drain, abqiit seven' chains of wliich requires clearing out,'as in wet weather the' water -woul'cT hack pvqr the road. Mr Widtpn had completed his portion offence at Kuvupuni Greek, and the overseer suggested the erection of about two panels to complete the fence. He also asked power to erect guard posts at corners as the paths wore cut up by carts, Mr Hounslow haviug failed to employ the necessary labor oh his maintenance contract, the overseer had put on a number'of men and drays to'do the work, its instructed. " '' ' works committee report. •

The above Committee reported that the plan ij,iitl specification wore not yet finished by the pngineer. The. Committee recommended that the notice given by S, Hounalow to give up the maintenance conlraot be accepted. The. Overseer had been instructed tq dig a'drain'fpom the Kurupuni Greek at the junction' of Queen and Orayno-streets,

T|]o lyovks Opmpitteo report was adopted on the motion of Or (Japper seconded by Or McOardk The latter stated that he was glad the road contract work J)ad fallen into the hands of the Counoil bo soon. He had predicted the present result, and felt sure the Oouuoil would be beneGted by the change, JNSPEPTOK OF NUISANOES REEORT. The inspector reported that the hedge overgrowing the footpath in Chapel-street was (t nuiiianoe, as soveral persons had got their faces soratohed by it. Ml' I*ang also was allowing a i'urao hedge to overgrow part of Jolinston-st, He reported that Mr Tobin had ereoted a sort of platform bridge in Johnston-si., which the Inspector considered dangerous, so muoh so that he considered it hia duty to at oneo remove it A discussion took plg.ce on the platform bridge referred to in tlio roport- Or McCardle stated that if this were removed the Borough must put something iu its place, Or Papelberg moved that the report be referred'to tl)e Vyqrks ''Committee with powortoaet.' Or Perry seconded. GAS COMMITTEE,

The Pommittoo submitted tljo following " Your Committee bog to report having oblained information from various sources as to tho desirability of establishing a gas works in Masterton.

Circulars were sent round to the thiokly populated and business parts of the Boroii'-h, inviting information respecting the amount of the present lighting nrrangements, and for an expression of opinion upon the gas question. Thwo replies are tabulated in the annexod paper, A, and the result is a d«ft d.ed expression of opinion. favorable to establishing gas works, ' '" ' The Ashburton Gas Company kindly furnished information as to the annual consumption in that Borough' and as their town is about the same si?e as Masterton —although not so compact—it is a very fair test to apply, Their balance-sheet marked B is attached hereto and it will be found on reference that their capital is £IO,OOO of which 17,000 is paid up, their' first dividend was 1 per cent, their next 8 per cent,, the yearly consumption of gas is about 2 million cubic feet, and is increasing. The estimated consumption for Masterton based upon the informantion already referred to and allowing for the difference between the lighting power of gas and kerosene is over 2 million cubic feet but this is exclusive of the extra uses to which gas would be put, such as gas engines, stoves,: &c„ and does not include nearly the whole of the private dwelling

that would use gas, uorany street lamps . Mr Olonjinshaw, gas engineer, whose : correspondence is attached (marked 0,D.) * estimate!' the cost of establishing the '' ,worksat £IOOO to £6OOO, but yo&Oom:mittee believe, L 7.000 to £BOOO would be. nearer the mark, ,- The Wellington Gas Company have a plant ready for use, which they offer to the Council, but the terms are not mentionetMfie aocompaftying paper' marked* F. -•;■ •;;..'■" The Bank of Australasia consent to act as agents for the Council in floating a loan for a gas works, but it would be necessary to agree to the striking of '« Special rate to secure re-payment in the future, if at any time it was found to be necessary. This is, however, only a matter of form, a3 it is unlikely that any such rate would bo required, yet the fact of such extra security being available would greatly assist thebank in floating the loan al a favorable rate. • Your Committee report; that in 1 their opinion it is desirable to establish a-W iworks in Masterton, and,that it.ajjjd not be left to private enterprise, 'because it is the experience of other places that where a company exists the interests of the consumers are sacrificed to benefit shareholders, whereas with a Municipal Corporation consumers would reap the benefits of all profits by a corresponding reduction in tho price of gas. Another great advantage to ratepayers generally would be darived from the use by the Council of tar, &c, in making footpaths in the borough, which wouldbe far oleaner, better, and more durable than the present footways. The gas, tar, and other residuals will be largely used for a great variety of purposes when obtainable, Tabulated statement of returns, shewing number of kerosene, and other lights, at present in use : No, 1. Willling to Hrs per Hrs burn gas- Lights night, pr week Dwellings .. 20 44 ]BS Stores,, Ac, .. 34 20' 778 Churches .. S7G 92J Public buildings 618 G7 Hotels .. 2 60 392

No 2 65 218 1422 92J Willing to burn gas if cost ableDwellings ~ ?20 78 Stores, &0., .. 12 108 604 Churches .„ 1 16 64 Public Buildings 2 U 32 Hotels and Clubs 3 43 243 No 3 '25 201 857 <H Will not burn gasDwellings .. 10 22 87 Shops, &o, ..16 18 U 23 103 No information— Dwellings ..4 Total yearly consumption— Kerosene Gas' Gas hours feet per hour total feet Nol 523,840 3 ' 1,571,520 No 2 316,133 3 918,399 Total 839,973 3 . 2,519,919

No 3 38,835 3 11p.75 _ Allowing 28 per ceat for difference in lighting between kerosene and pas, 'the annual consumption.' would, be 2,oitj l S|3,(j pubic feet. Large sljop gas burners consume 4 feet per hour; street lamps !> feet! but tlie whole- of lh.o abqve calculation js fysed on the lowest, viz, 3 feet. J, VII 4 Or Casplberg moved " Tljat the Council, while giving a cordial vqtp pf thanks to the committee for their exhaustive amJ and valuable rpporlj were of opinioq that though the time bad arrived when, gag works omild be profitably started iq Magterton, it was a matter whioli should be left to private enterprise." There were many objections against the borough taking up the work. In the first place it was always found that a government or borough never managed their works as economically as a private company The Council should give every facility to a company by'granting a monopoly for a certain number of years, nijd hqfpitjij' jn other ways,; the Council could protect the ratepayers preserving the power of pqr-' chasing the poncern by pbitration it jt were found necessary to' do so. The first difficulty in the way of the borough starting the work was the fact that they would have to strike a special rate, which although stated in the report to be a mere matter of form always turned out a very formal reality.' One reason why a borpu'jli or government could' not nmna'-'o any work so economical y. as a company was the fact thaf they in toq much patronage an<| fqo ipn/y 'ipoqj relations" were placed in nice little sjn'eoqres, wl}i|a a ooiqpany went jn fqii profit alone. He wag thoroughly p f ( ,i,j n j o |', that thp time had arrived when gas would pay jn Master.ton, but held the firm conviction that it was nqt a matter' for the Borough to take up, If thp Wellington cqmnmy siy wore in, clined to extend its business and stayt a branch jn Ifaitertorj 'they should receivp them with • opon arms, As an instance of thp difficulty to contend with he instanced his own oaso, whpye it would cast him 4200 to fit up his stoves with gas and all hjs present appliances would be useless unless they could be absorbed in Maujiceville or Ekotahuna, With regard to the forms which had been filled in by persons willing lo burn gas, it was as easy to fill those in as to sitm a testimonial to a polioeman, but when it came to an actual fact and the oost was shown of the fittings, there would bo quite a different tale told; If a speoial rate were struck it might oome to nonconsumers helping to pay for the gas. It would pay a Company because the consumers could be shareholders, and whatever thoy expended they would know they would reoeivo bapk in time. Holding these views he would therefore move his resolution. !■•••> -i • .:i

CrPerry seconded. Or McCardle'said fa' could, follow q c HWprg in njany qf' his views biit not malj; Oqmptiuies puld, 6or 4upt thehi work in the. same manner as. boroughs would. Ho was not going tn say then whether he would yote for the borough taking tho matter up or not, Or Caaelberg Lad taken the wind- out of Or Vile's sails, by getting up and moving that the borough should not take up the affair, before hearin? the arguments of the Committee to show why it should do so. He thought if Or Caselberg's motion Was adopted it would have the effect of slopping the work altogether, as those who had money had such facilities for investing it already that they would not take the trouble to start a company. Experience had already shown this, Of course in larger centres it was diffel'ed! People would, not derive 'an equal benefit' as shareholders as" they would ag ratepayers. Or Caselberg said the Council could some day purchase the works from the company, but he would, point' out fhat when that came fa pass vested interests would have grown.up, and it would have to be purchased according to the value of the money derived from its operations. The Council had heard the opposition oidq before listening to the affirmative, and he could not but think that the Council would be in a'better position to understand the matter if the latter had spoken first,., ...''.■:' Or Caselberg rose in explanation. He was sprry if he had done mining out of order, but ho thought he wanted: time before moving, ■• -r^ 1 " Cr Feist was not in ftfvdt of thfrOodndil' undertaking the work. At the outset, theOounoil would be met by the objection of

ratepayers to a special rate. Ho F beheved gas was desirable, hut its intraI auction should .be .left to private enter- [:: .-prise.' ~-.. .'•" Cr Vile Arid tho report went to show " that the bulk of tho'-rntopayors wero in favor of the project. Companies made •: profit to tho disadvantage of tho con- ". . aumer, while.-under- the borough, tho Vatcpayers-tho consumers-would oblnin all the.profits. ■ If they waited for a company thoy would wait for many years, ■Uie Ashburtqii Company's report showed •■ that the borough could profitably undertake the work. Cr Casolborg looked'at ; the matter from a personal point of view, ; and could linidly- bo expected to be ii\ \ favor of the scheme after saying it would : cost him L2OO to take advantage of it. He thought tho work was a very proper one for tho Council to take up, and was sorry Councillors wero not with him. Or Chamberlain said according to Cr vile, the affair would not pay a company, « bo, it would not pay the borough. If Ras would cost no more than kerosene, and tfyjjsatcs wero not touched to carry it on, hotvould not oppose the scheme, hut he thought it would be better to leave it to privnto entorpi ise. They would nover Ret the peoplo to consent to a special rate. Cr Vilo explained that he did not say a "company would not pay, but singly that tho people had not the enterprise to form the Company while other investments were open to thorn. ' Cr Gapper said that ho had assisted to prepare the report. He had at ono time thought that gas would not pay in Mastertou, but comparing it with the town of Ashburton which .was not so compact, ho came to tho conclusion that gas could be supplied at considerable less expense in Masterton than Ashburton. He could not, however, approvo of going to the ratepayers and asking .them to vote a special rate, and ho theroforo should volo for the motion. Cr Price stated he was ono of the Gas Committee, and though he had come to the conclusion thatgas would pay, beheld it would be tetter for a private Company to introduce it. He suggested that the matter should stand over for a few months 80 that they might seo if the electric light could nut be introduced Cr Here n thought the ratepayers would never agree to a special rato so that the debate was a waste of time. The Mayor said he had still the opinion ho held when ho stood for the chair ho then occupied, naipely, that the time had arrived when gas could be profitably in trnduced, but that a private Company should take the matter up. Ho pointed put that though the ratepayers might have signed the-forms in favor of gas, they plight not be in favor of the Borough supplying it. Grs Companies wherever started always paid. He had seen seven commence and they all did well. He felt sure' the Council's move in the matter Would lead to what they desired, and it would be better to allow a private Company to take the affair up, Cr Caselberg in reply said bis action did not spring from personal motives. Ho nierely gavp his' privnto experience fur the information of the Council. Ho would impress on Mr Vile that he was as anxious as anyone for gas to bo established in Masterton, and to provo this he would move later on that thp clerk jnvite ipformation from the Wellington Gas Company as to its willingness to establish a branch in Masterton. CrMcCardle had pot made up'his mind, Ho spoko on both sides, and would vote in the middle, He did not think he had much to reply to pnd would only say he would he glad to welcome any Gas Company m Masterton, Cr Vile moved as an amendment that debate he adjourned till next sitting JSpprder that the ratepayers might digest therepprt, and an expression of public opinion could he obtained, His own opinion, which was borne out by Mr Cleminsbaw, was that it was purely a matter of economy for Ihe Coumil to take it up, The Mayor seconded the amendment, which was carried, Cr Heron voting against it, PIXON-ST. A pethion from residents in I'ixun-sl,, was receivpd and referred t<> thp Works fjomrnjttee with power to apt. MK BEZAlt's CLAIM. The Clerk submitted his report in this matter, which showed that Mr Bexar was indebted to tho Council in the sum of

Cr Caselbei's; moved that under iho circumstances the Council do remit the ariiounf due by Mr Beany, and that a copy pf the account be sent to him with the resplution— Chivied, Tjie Council then adjourned. PBOOIOUS ATTACK ON A FEMALE, Doxedis, April 25. At the Police Court to-day a i ■ named John Mm'tison wan sentenced > u 12 months for two assaults on a paramour with whom he had lived for twelve years. Once he broke a jti" over her head, and the next lime he threw away the contents of a frying pan and struck her with that utenßil. The Magistrate said the accused should he confined like a wild beast, He had previously served a sentence for a similar uffeiTce at Oaninru.

Anti-Irish riuts have taken place at Camborne, Cornwall. Rioters desecrated and wrecked the Catholio Church of ihe town. Ayonh Khan is atTeheral with a small following awaitinq an opportunity to mako a descent upon Afghanistan. After iho Death of Madamo 'Men, the wife of tho Secretary of tho.Chineso Embassy in Paris, the ground-floor of the Embassy was hung with white silk, lighted by six inimenso candles, niul porfumed by lingo incense burners in tho corners. The widower, clothed in white, stood at the door, and bowed as tho guests went in and out- Behind a curtain, on which, embroidered on red volvot, was tho dead woman's namo, surrounded by inscriptions relating to her virtues and her survivor's sorrows, tho body lay in a red velvet coffin half covered with violets and roses. Boside tho coffin was tho bed whero the widowor slept, ho not being allowed by the Chinese funeral customs to leave his dend wife's side till ler burial. According to the recent census the populniion of Greeco is 1,677,478, of whom 1.625.C9S belong to iho Orthodox Church 14,077 are members of other Christ ian churches; 3392 are non-Christians and 2052 are Hebrews.