MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1820, 22 October 1884, Page 2

MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Council took place last night, at which all tho members were present, His Worship the Mayor presiding. . The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed,

The poundkeeper's report was read showing receipts amounting to £1 13s

A communication was received from the vVairarapa East County Council, stating their willingness to contribute the sum of £lO towards the ereotion of a morgue in accordance with the plan supplied by Mr King, The Mayor said before any definite action could be taken, it would bo requisite to obtain a reply from the Masterton Road Board as to the amount that body would be willing to pay towards the cost.

The Clerk was instructed to again apply to that Board, A request from tho Wairarapa Agricultural Society to the Mayor to declare the show day, Nov. 6th, a public holiday, was acceded to according to custom,

Report of the committee to investigate the complaint of residents on section 20, Small Farm Block, respecting an alleged illegal right of way, was read as follows

The Committee met on the Dthinst., and Mr Bunny who was present on behalf of the Trustees, stated that the right of way was laid off for Mr M, Dixon in July 1867 by Mr John King, the sections were sold from time to time, Complainants applied under tho Act of 1878 whereas exceptiug Lea and Cavanagh all tho lands were sold before that date, All the purchases were made subject to the right of way as shown in the tables and no steps had been taken to put the matter right during Mr Dixons lifetime. His Trustee had no power to do anything now, He produced the plan of Mr' Kings and the receipt dated July 21st 187 C. The plans producjd showed sections abutting on Chapel street only, and a right of way along Mr Crajnes boundry, 20ft wide. Complaniants stated that the right of way shown on the plans had been put in atterwarik On tho part of oomplaniants Mr Dixon said ho bought his land about 3 years ago, Mr Wilton not 4 years ago, and Mr Wood in '77 and was promisad a 33 right of way and none bad been laid off, only fenced off. The i Committee having heard further evidence it was resolved to recommend the Cotiucil (1) To inform the complaiuantt tint they Bhould in their own iuterest havo given the land for widening the right of way and apply to the Trustees to widen it into Chipel-jt. (2) To call the Trustees to furnish a plan showing tho-right of way through, when laid off and by whom."

Cr Gappr moved the adoption of the report. He said the parties had bought the land and evidently did not know what they had bought. They appeared to have trusted to the lawyers to see them right instead of seeing for themselves. He hud told them until they were prepared to give the necessary land to widen the street, it was 110 use troubling the Council further.

Or Bacon seconded the adoption of the report which was carried. The Building Regulations Committee's report was read as follows Re Sullivau's building, the Inspeotor reported the chimaio3 were racked over and there was do danger or dotrnnenfc, The difference between racking and corbelling was that in the former tlio work was gradually carried over and in the latter it was carried out at right angles. As regards the iron used, 24 guaje was often difficult to obtain, and 26 guage was principally used, there beiug but little diffcrenca between them, The Committee decided to recommend that bylaw 175 be amended so as to provide for compulsory inspection uf buildings, That the regulations be altered to permit the use of 2(j guage iron. That regulation No 14 be amended by striking out the word " without" in the fourth line and adding tho words to the end of the clause "not to exceed 0 inches," (this referred to corbelliug.) That in all future cases of breaches of the by-laws by not giviug notice of intention to build and depositing plans as required, proceedings ba taken against the offenders,

Or Muir, in moving the adoption of the report said, in the past the building regulations had never been systematic ally carried out. It was proposed to amend that in the future, and to make the by-laws easier, it was proposed to make the iron guage limit 26 instead of 24 size, and to allow corbelling to the extent of 6 inches. This would allow flues to be carried up at a better angle, and not cramp the brick work. Or Chamberlain seconded,—Carried.

The Mayor said it would be necessary for the Town Clerk to call a special meeting of the Council for the purpose of giving legal effect to the above resolution in altering the by-law. . The Works Committee's report was read and adopted. There were three applications for the office of Poundkeeper, Ballot was taken and E. S, Richards accepted by a large majority,

The Council then went into Committee to consider the tenders for the formation and metalling of six chains in Crayno street and 42J chains in

Cohimba road and Kuripuni street, the lowest tenders being from Messrs Stevens and Madsen, which were accepted, The ordinary business was resumed. THE GAS QUESTION. A letter was handed in from Mr Eappand read as followsl have the honor to report that at a Committee meeting formed for the purpose of trying to form a'Local Co-operativo Gas Company' the following resolution was carried That in the opinion of this meeting the pecuniary support promised towards the proposed Company is not sufficient to recommend the issuing of a prospectus but would respectfully suggest that the Masterton Borough Council take the work in. hand .as per the report submitted to the Council in April, 1882'," Cr Gapper moved that this letter be acknowledged. Cr Heron seconded, It Was very kind of Mr Kapp to throw it on the Council when he had failed himself.— Carried. Cr Gapper moved—That the recommendation contained in the letters from Mr Rapp cannot be entertained by this Council. He did not think this Coundl should do it, or ought to do it. The Mayor said he considered the Council could aind should do it, but at the present time, knowing the feelings of the councillors on the matter he did not think they would. As Mayor he certainly could not afford to devotn the time that would be required, and if any: hitch occurred the ratepayers would blame them, but he would not go so far as Cr Gapper and say thoy ought not to do it. Cr Heron said they were perfectly , sure the ratepayers would not sanction tho Council undertaking the ; work. t He seconded the motion. Cr Bacon moved as an amendment r —That a public meeting of the rate- ' payers be called to test their feelings i in the matter.

Tha Mayor said a poll would have to be taken before the results of the wishes of the ratepayers could be known, One would imagine the committee that had made this recommendation to the Council would have first ascertained whether it was in accordance with the wishes of the majority of ratepayers before taking upon itself such a responsibility. Cr Bacon added —" and that a poll of the ratepayers be taken on the i question," Cr Chamberlain seconded. Cr Heron would vote against it. He was not able to take the position of gas director without remuneration. He did not think they should go to the expense of ascertaining the feelings of the ratepayers on the matter. The Mayor said every facility should bo given the ratepayers to express an opinion on such an important matter. It was necessary to call a public meeting by the Act before the matter could be taken in hand. The amendment was then put and lost,

The motion was then put and carried; That it was not expedient for the Council to undertake gas works. The Mayor said they should now consider the applications before them, or shelve the matter. Cr Gapper moved, That applications be invited from persons willing to erect gas-works in the Borough, under con-' ditions. They would then get detailed and tabulated statements of what would be done, They had nothing definite in tho two applications before ■ them to enable them to decide upon either of them.

Cr Hesaey seconded pro forma. Cr Perry said it was quite unnecessary. Tliey had two applications before them to enable them, and either one would carry out the work if the Council

would not. Or Bacon moved as an amendment the application of Olliver and Brown be accepted, subject to certain conditions.

Or Heron seconded the amendment, It was quite as likely to settle the question as Or Gapper's question, which he did not sea any good in carrying.

A division was taken for the amendment—For, 4: Ci's Williams, Bacon, Perry, aud Heron; against, 5: Crs Chamberlain, Gapper, Johnston, Muir, and the Mayor. The amendment was declared lost, aud a further amendment was proposed by Cr Muir, That the application of the Wairarapa Gas Company be accepted, subject to certain conditions to bo made by the Council He thought Councillors would see with him that this was the preferable application, the names of the Directory being a guarantee of good faith, and they were perfectly willing to givo the residents tho opportunity of taking shares in it. Cr Chamberlain seconded,

A division was taken—Ayes 5, Crs Williams, Chamberlain, Muir, Johnston, and the Mayor; noes 4, Crs Bacon, Perry, Gapper, and Heron. The amendment was carried, Cr Hessey, whose name appeared on the directory, being disqualified to vote. The Town Clerk was instructed to communicate the result to the parties interested, Police Sergeant McArdlo waited upon the Council to obtain advice aad authority to act in what had become a dangerous musanca, namely, the congregating together in the public streets of the Salvation Army for the purposes of what they call " knee drill," to the obstruction of the road and pathway, and to the danger of equestrians, One lady on Sunday who was riding by had her horse frightened by the shouting and concourse, and the animal bolted and nearly threw her, The police had no power to act unless by direction of the Council. Also the practice of carrying torches in thenevening processions, No person with a pair of young horses would care about facing or attempting to pass them, The Mayor said it was quite right of the Sergeant to bring this matter under the notice of the Council. The thanks of the public generally were duo to him, and the Council would at once consider the matter. By law 124 was the only one under which action could be taken, and this provided what should be done after the obstructionists had been requested to move on. He did not know what legal steps they could!

take to discountenance the torchlight processions, although it was done in some parts of the colony. Or Heron said if they did not move on, summons them. 1 The Mayor said they did move on, that is what they objected to. (Laughter). Or Heron said they could instruct the police or inspector of nuisances to romovo their,, Lei them get a paddock to carry on their mummeries, , Ho moved that the police be instructed to request the Salvation Army to discontinue the practice' of blocking the streets by " knee-drill" ifcc., and the torch-light processions.

Or Perry would like the street blocking'defined, •Or Gapper said.,a memorial had been drawn up and signed by the principal residents of Queen-street, praying the Council to take actio'" -.iu 'this'direction, and it would haveTKpe before the Council but for weir cognisance of the steps the .'sergeant was about taking. The torch light frightened the horses.Or Perry suggested it might be the means of giving the horses a rest on Sunday. (Laughter), Cr Muir would like to know iiow this would affect other processions such as Druids, Foresters, Fire Brigades, Ac. He thought the- procession under discussion was a very tame affair, and they were making too much of the brace of torches. It was not fair one class should be stopped and the same law not apply to all. The street blocking was a decided nuisance, and should be stopped, but tho torches were ? hardly worse than a pair of carriage lights. Cr Hessey also thought the.danger had been exaggerated. Perambulators were a greater source of danger to horsemen.

Cr Heron said as far as other societies were concerned they could deal with them when the necessity arose, One Sunday in particular at Renall-street a block stopped the carriages of the Vallance's and the Meredith's coining to church. :

The motion was carried on a division six being for the motion, and four against—Ors Williams, Perry, > Hessey and Muir. Cr Muir moved for a return of all footpaths constructed to date showing the names of all the ratepayers who had specially contributed towards their construction, and what amounts were outstanding also what footpaths had been made without demanding the special aate.

Cr Heron seconded, A division was taken, resulting in favor of the motion, This concluded the business.