BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 2030, 1 July 1885, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary, fortnightly meeting of the Masterton Borough Council, was held last night. 'Present—The Mayor, iCrs Gapper, Perry, Chamberlain, Hesaey, Heron, Mfiir, Bkon, and Williams. The minutes of the previous meeting were read snd confirmed. THE WAIPOUA. Mr R, Donald, and about 150 other ratepayers wrote asking the Council to cause the bank of the Waipoua to be protected, as thero was great risk of the town being damaged by its incursions; the risk being increased, as there was a likolihoodof the whole of the water being turned back into the old channel. The Mayor said.tho petition was on an important subject, and they should deal with it. c . MrR. Donald, who attended, said they were'all pretty well aware of the position of the matter. A short time ago he had pointed out through the Daily that it was necessary to do something. He thought they would be able to do what was required without great outlay. If they planted willows now, they would feel the benefit in the long ran. The cost would not be very large, and the willows, if properly managed, would be a barrier against all floods. The plan was cheap and easy, and would prove most effectual. They could afterwards try to turn it back into its old channel. Since he had lived at Te Ore Ore he had Occasion to observe the works at the Ruamahanga bridge, where booms, groins, and pile 3 had gone, and the willow embank-' ment had stood. There was no theory about it, for that was a proof. ! • The Mayor said he was under the impression that the Works Committee had done something, but he found he \n\ in error.

Or Heron said the Committee could not feel sure of what would be the best thing to be done. They had asked Mi Bromner to report, but nothing had been done,

The Mayor thought the matter was of very great importance. They might again form a committee, and go ■ thoroughly into it.

OrGapper asked whether they could legally expend money on river 'conservation.

The Mayor thought their powers were ample, but if they appointed a Committee they would ascertain that, He would move that Crs Brown, Heron, Gapper, Perry i\nd Chamberlain bo a committee to ascertain the best means of giving effect to the petition, and to report at the next meeting. The Committee to have power to obtain legal advice. The resolution was agreed to. Mr R, Donald said, if required, he would give them a sufficient quanttiy of willows toplai it half a mile, 10 or 12ft wide. The Mayor thanked Mr Donald for the offer, and said that if it was decided to caray out the'work it would, no doubt, be be accepted. REMISSION OP IUTES, Mr W. H. Ijeefcham applied for a remission of rates of £2 3s 4d, on the property of the Acclimatization Society, on tne' ground that the work of the Society was of great benefit to the town and district.

In reply to a question, the Town Clerk said they could only remit the rate on the ground of extreme poverty, They might, perhaps, subscribe towards the funds of the Association. Moveil by Or Heron, aeoonded by Or Bacon, that Mr Beetham be informed that tho Codicil cannot carry out his wish, CRICKET-STREET. A petition was received from a number of residents in Cricket-street, asking that the street might be formed, as it wm in a very bad state, and that the increased traffic was daily making it worse, The Mayor thought the Works Committee already had power to act, Cr Gapper said the matter had be§n referred to tho Works Committee six or seven times, and nothing had been done. It was quite time they did something tu it. Ho iiiovet} that the Works Committee be instructed to proceed with the woik at once, Cr Heron said there wero other streets that also wanted doing at once, Cr Williams seconded, and said the street had been in a bad stato for years. The Town Clerk pointed out that there was a question of legality insolved. Or Heron said the work was the last on the schedule, and if it were taken in hand now, he Bhould feel himself at liberty to propose any work that occured to him,

Or Gapper said they never meant that the schedule should be so closely adhered to, and they had really gone outside of it whon they formed Williams-street. Cr Perry pointed out that Williamsstreet was a "through" street, while Cricket-street led .next to nowhere.

Cr Bacon thought that as the people in Cricket-street had paid rates since the Borough was formed, they were entitled to have something dqpe, The expenditure was not very great. When they paid 9 or 10 per cent, for their overdraft they had a big one, and now that they had 7 per cent they had reduced it, and seemed to be afraid of expenditure. Cr Chamberlain pointed out that the weather was unsuitable for road-making. Or Miiir said the sphedyle was brought down by the Works Committee in a thin Council, and heme unanimous," they carried it through ; but they sliould not be so tightly bound by it, Cr Hessey said it was only the work of a few days, and should bo done. Tho resolution was carried. GAS LOAN.

The Gas Committee brought up a report setting forth that the deputation that had gone to Wellington had agreed to take the £IO,OOO from the Government Insurance Association' at 6 per cent in place of 6| per cent; the bonds to be of £250 each; the term to be for 15 years, with the option of paying off at 10 years; the money, to be taken up as required, in sums of not less than £2,000, The Committee recommended the adoption of the report, , • •

The Mayor moved the adoption of the report. They would see that the deputation had gaiped its object, He brjefly recapitulated the position qf tile matter:. He had endeavoured to get tlie interest reduced, as they understood that Paluierston North was getting money from the same quarter at 5 per cent, but Sir Julius Vogelhad explained' to Sir. Brown and himself that the Association would hp quite willing to grant £20,000 at 5 per cent, as the debentures could then be put upon the English market, and the Association would make a profit on them. Mr Luckie had gone into figures and found that a sixpenny rate would not quite cover the interest. They would therefore have to make the rate seven pence. Cr. Gapper seconded the motion, which was carried, WOIIKS COMMITTEE. * The Works Committee brought up a report reccommending I'—That the Committee bo authorised to arrange with Mr Drummond for the plan of the Borough, including levels. _ 2.—That the footpath in front of the Temperance Hall be kerbed on the payment of the usual charges. 3. —That the overseer be instructed to sorape Queen-street, . With reference to the second clause it was explained by the Town Clerk' that, 0 as the adjoining land was owned by th:' Corporation, they woule have to pay the chargesjthemselves. (Laughter.) COMMITTEE.

The Council then went into Committee to consider the Municipal Corporations Bill, ana the Local Bodies Finance and Powers Bill,