MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 5, Issue 1338, 28 March 1883, Page 2

MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

iThe usual, meeting of the Council was wld-lasl evening Present-His WorMayor, 1 " and Councillors Feist, Gapper, JPrice, Chinchen, Caselberg, and Chamberlain,

The minutes of the previous meeting were'read-and confirmed" and 'correspondence lead as follows:—From A. R. Bunny, re leases of section 56, town of Masterton; fiom O. Biaddon, town clerk, Ashburton, offering to sell iron waterpipes to the Borough. '' .The correspondence outwards consisted of notices to ratepayers in anear. ~ , • ( The Mayor did not think they had any use for the wateipipes, and suggested that the offer l should be declined with thanks.'—This courseSvas agreed to.

FINANCE COMMITTEE. Tho wages account, amounting to £3313, was recommended for payment. The overdraft was rcpoited at £930 Is lOd. An account of £2 from E, "W. Mills & Co, was referred back for explanation.

The clerk stated that acting under the instructions of the recently appointed committee, he had sued several defaulting ratepayers, and another batch of summonses was being prepared. - The report was then adopted as read.

TOWN CLERK'S REPORT. Sir—l have -the honor to report that in consequence of an error in appointing the sittings of the' Assessment Court, it has had to be adjourned to the 31st instant, and consequently the Council would not be able to strike th'e' new late until the 24th' Apul and payment could not be had befoio 10th May. To avoid such a serious delay, I beg respectfully to suggest tho following course to the Council:—l. That notice be given by resolution at this evening's meeting of the Council's intention to strike a rate, and that the rate book will be open for inspection during office horns from the 2nd to the 10th Apul. 2 Thattheiatebostiuck at the ordinary'meeting on tho 10th April and made payable in two equal instalments, tho fiist on the 11th April, the second on Ist Juno next. 3. That the Council hold a special meeting on Monday, 2nd April, to adopt estimates for ensuing year. ' ' , j have, tfec, i R. Brown, Town Cleik. Cr Gapper moved, and Cr Chinchen seconded, that tho town clerk's suggestion be carried out, and the necessary formal resolutions were passed. MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS ACT.

The clerk submitted "the following recommendation to the Council on scc°■tioii 111 of the above:- ■• '■ •-'- ' Sir.—l have the honor to direct the attention of the-Obunoilto the, desirability-: of trying, to obtain .an amendment; of Section" 111 of .The Municipal Corporations Act, 1876 in the direction of securing power to make a separate rate extending from year to ■year, until.,the works undertaken are paid'for: iii full,; :.The money for'such works to be borrowed if necessary on the security, of such-rates. "Unity of action on the part of Boroughs might induce the Government to provide a fund for such a purpose, : , ; v . ; I have &c. ! , • : K,-Brown, '•'■' .Town Clerk. Or Caselberg said this matter meant opening up. a very large.,question, though it simple. .These recommendations ;by • 'Boroughs and local bodies to the legislature were like tinkering a big thing with a small tool, and were seldom takw any notice of. He would 'move, however, that a committee be appointed consisting of His Worship the ..Mayor, Crs Gapper, Feist and the mover to'go into the matter, and -see if at was really worth their \vhile to recommend the Legislature to amend the clause as suggested.

Or Price seconded the resolution which was carried. THE LATE FIRE.

Or Oaselberg- said he would like to call the" Couucil'fl attention to the lamentable, lack of water at the Jate fire. This matter, was a (very serious, one—in fact a burning one they must face.' : Some f little ; time back an Abyssinian pipe had been ■driven near the scene of the late fire, but it was useless.- He had voted for it,_and didn't regret having done so as if it had been a success it would have been -of very great value, at very little :Cosfc as the town wouldhave been safe. He had been informed, however, that Abyssinian pipes for fire brigade purposes ' were useless, , and .some .other '.Scheme should be. devised!,',':,Ho.w.ould give notice of ■niptibn. that; the. matter be discussed at the next meeting of the. Council, ,' - : ■....'.■■'••! <•',;/... /.i.

[Cr Heron here entered and .took his ' seat,] '■''' r ' '"' : ; /" : ' '-■•••' 5; - ;; '-'' ■■' The Mayor pointe'dout'tb 1 Cr Oaselberg that his notice of motion should be given later on. .^ith'regard to Abyssinian wells, he would point out that in Greymouth they were used for fire purposes, and he held that'the one driven in Queen-St. to a thorough success. At the third trial the engine had thrown a jet overMrßell's *hop,' which was apVoof it was'not'a'failure, Unfortunately some one,had filled the pipe with stones and it had to draw and re driven, since, wlien the Brigade had not. .kept it?cleared • out. A number of extra holes had been, drilled in the pipe at .'dtp-tain Muiv's request, and he thought the brigade should attach the engine to the., pipe at each practice and thus keep the well in order. It was not the Council's fault thatthe.pipe.wasinotfitforuse.' \Cr Caselberg he 'would 'move ■instead of giving notice;-(if in order),' that a committee be appointed consisting of his •Worship-the Mayor, and Ors Heron; Gapper,Chamberlain,! and, the mover:te devise thel best .and cheapest water purposes;:in;Ma ; sterton: v 'He ! : ftoug% it* best to move at onqo : ..in, .this, matter because as soon as.thVasbes? 6£ • a\;fire .becamej cold,; sordid theppbUcfearof devising means foßprevent-". g secondedthe' resolution iwb?ich;;:TO ■: |§|j»e?sraotffe