MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 1936, 11 March 1885, Page 2

MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The qrdinary meeting of the Council was held last flight. Present—The Mayor and Crs Bacon, Muir, Heron, Hessey, Johnston, Gapper, and Perry, The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed, Correspondence was read from T, Thompson asking for extension of time for collecting pig-wash; from J. Montgomery, declining to receive nightsoil on his section for the future; from Beard & Gray, on behalf of certain ratepayers residing pn section 21, offering to widen the road if the Council would metal the same; from George Beetham, suggesting a plan for a water supply for Mjistaton. SHORT STREET, A petition was presented by Mr W. Wilton on behalf of certain ratepayers in the southern part of the Borough, asking that Short street might be metalled before the coming winter. The Mayor said there were forty-three signatures to the petition, and he thought the Works Committee might take it in hand. Mr W. Wilton supported the petition, lie said there was considerable traffic on the road and school children had to wade through twenty-fjye chains of road that was in a very bad state, DEPUTATION, Messrs T, Chamberlain and J, Yates waited on the Council to ask them, whilst making Renall-street, to make them a stone ford instead of filling it in with a culvert, as it would be a great convenience for stock-drivers who had considerable difficulty in watering their stock whilst travelling there. His Worship thought it would have been better if a petition had been submitted by the deputation, as that would have given the views of the greater portion interested. Cr Heron said the views of the Works Committee would not be altered by a petition. They considered a culvert would bis better for general utility. ,CrPejrry said it appeared to him that an opening of the sort would be very little ibeltter than a trap, Or, Gjipper. : said ; ,the proposal was an expensive job. If the Works Committee were of opinion, the;delay would do no harm he would suggestthat the deputation submit apian to the' Council, i The Mayor moved that 'the deputation be referred to the Works Committee. Cr Hessey seconded the proposal, and

said that he was opposed to the petition, as tho ford would bo dangerous/ ;■■•' ■ The'motion was carried. ; .- .'■ Cr' Gapper' moved and ; Cr Hessey seconded that the petition re Short-street, be referred to tho. Works Committee to report upon.—Carried. -/: WATER WORKS. The Mayor said they were all agreed as. to the need of a water supply. ' Cr Heron' moved, That.the' letter be laid.on the table, and that Mr Beethaiii be written to thanking him ;for his 'suggestions. He.was of opinion that.one £IO,OOO loan in! a day was enough for them to get over,,'. ._ | Cr Gapper, in seconding the motion,) said there would have to be the question of drainage considered at the same time,' and he thought the day was'not far off; when they would have to go in for a; loan, whichit.required for that! purpose. They had as healthy a town as! any in New Zealand, they had only to go down a few feet to find a constantly run- 1 ning stream,' which kept the town pure, and theyhad only to attend to surface drainage to keep free from disease, The Chairman hoped it, would not be long before they required a water supply and drainago, as that'would be a sign that they had increased their population: and means,

Cr Perry said he thought it a much* more reasonable suggestion than a gas loan. Cr Muir said the question was no doubt premature, and he thought bringing a supply of water from Waipipi would be: preferable to the Fernridge, The matter could well stand over for a few years, but they wanted a low pressuro water supply for fire purposes, The motion was carried, and the Olerk was instructed to obtain the data offered by Mr Beetham, section 21, The lettor of Beard & Gray was referred to the Finange Committee in conjunction with tho Works Oommittoo, BE NIGHTSOIL, Cr Gapper moved that the Town Clerk be instructed to advertise for a suitable place for the deposit of night soil—Carried. Pigwash. Mr Ingram said the wash was offensive after 24 hours, and it was not advisable to allow it to be removed in the middle of the day. Or Perry moved and Or Gapper seconded that the previous resolution making the time not later than 8 o'clock bo rescinded, Or Hessey objected, and Or Muir gave notice of motion to the above effect, The Works reported that T-" P. Gjrdwood had completed Columba Road contract. That the Overseer had been instructed to repair Cricket St. That they had advised the Fiye Brigade to obtain a piece of land near Villa St,, as theyconld not recommed permission to erect a bell tower on the footpath. Cr Muir asked wliy the Committee decljned to erect a bell, tower op the street. Or Heron said it was an encroachment, and they could get a site outside the road for a tower, ',,''" Or Muir moved that that part pf the report be referred hack to th,e Works. Committee, Cr Gapper seconded pro forma. H.o quite agreed with Or iferon that it was not safe to erect a tower on the open street. He thought if.. It was built on private ground it would be better looked after and safer for traffic. The Council would be liable for any accident if the erection was on the road.' The motion was put and lost, and the report was then adopted. THE MORGUE. .. The Major stated that in accordance with a resolution of the Council Cr Muir, had waited East Oounty Council, asking them to bear their fair. sliare,of half cost of the erection of a morgiu"r%e .County informed them that they would consider the matter,

The Mayor reported that a poll had been taken for a loan of £IO,OOO fofcgas purpose that day, and the result was in favor of a loan, and the loan was therefore declared carried. The question then was whether the matter should be referred to the Finance Committee, or a special committee be appointed. Or Gapper was of opinion that a special committee should be appointed, plans and specifications prepared and applications for the work invited, the tenderers to take payment in Borough' debentures. The Mayor said the question was too large for discussion of (Wis that night! lie proposed combining the Works'and Finance Committees if the Counoil were agreeable and they could have this matter referred to them. Or Bacon moved that a committee of ways and means be appointed to obtain the necessary data for floating the loan and report as early as possible. The committee to consist of the Mayor, and Crs Gapper, Muir Heron and the mover,— Carried. NEW BQADS. Cr Hessey asked whether any person offering to make roads was compelled to make the footpaths, The Mayor pointed out that Or Heßsey was in a dual position as Councillor and applicant. Ct Gapper pointed out that the Act distinctly stated that " footpaths shall be a charge on the property." Cr Hessey said he was not aware that it was oqmpujsory to, make the footpaths when ho offered to make the roads. He was quite willing to do it, but' he should see the same law was oamed out in future cases, The Mayor said whatever was done would be on the vote of the Counoil. Cr Muir gave notice of motion that the Fire Brigade be allowed to erect a bellI tower outside the footpath in Villa-street. I Or Bacon did not see that the motion was out of order, and if it was not he would second it. Or Muir jaid he would make it a notice of motion,. THE INSTITUTE, The Mayor said in oonneotion with his notice of motion re the Library, he had obtainod fresh data, and he would amend his motion, to read, " That the Library Committee be not charged a license fee." The upper room would not now be required for entertainments, only for public meetings. Cr Heron objected to the altering of the motion as suggested, Or Bacon moved that permission be granted the mover to amend his motion as suggested. The Clerk stated the rqom would require to be licensed for public meetings, The Mayor then withdrew his motion. Cr Gapper was of opinion that a charge of 21s should not be made for public meetings, only a bare oharge should be made to cover the expense of lighting &c. The Mayor said he was sorry to see some Councillors taking the view they did of the Institute. They treated it as an alien body and did not look upon the Committee as one of their own appointing, but worked against them. He was as Mayor an ex-officio member, and if they treated it as an alien body he should simply resign and leave the Counoil to manage it themselves. The Institute belonged to the burgesses, and was perishing for want of a coat of paint, NOTIOB OF MOTION, The Mayor gave notice of motion that the Works and Finance Committees be re-constitoted and consist of a joint Committee of five members. The meeting then adjourned.