The Wairarapa Daily. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1885. THE GASWORKS SITE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 2091, 10 September 1885, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1885. THE GASWORKS SITE.

A great deal was said about the site selected for gasworks in Masterton at the public meeting held last night, and, as frequently happens when the speakers are not thoroughly acquainted with the facts, blame was thrown in all directions, whether it was deserved or not. Tho o/jly argument of any value that was employed was that the site was too far from the railway station, that extra cost in cartage was therefore involved, and that the extra traffic would cause increased expenditure in keeping the streets in repair. Taking the last first, we may at once say that a mountain was made out of a mole hill, All the coal that will be required for a number of years will not amount to more per day than a cart can take at a load, and that one cart is not likely to make a serious differonce in the state of the streets through which it pusses. The carting is a more serious item, but it was, no doubt, weighed by the Gas Committee of the Council. The Committee invited offers of sites, and when they came to look through them, they found that there was in reality only one available. It was at the time believed that the loan would be floated without delay, and as it was of some importance to locate the site as early as possible, so that the plans might bo proceeded with, tho Committee recommended to the Council that the site be purchased, and this was done by the Council, Tho Engineer was as helpless in the matter as the Committee, He pointed out that, though the site was in other respects, a suitiille one, it was too far from tho railway station, but there being none offered in that direction, lie could do nothing whatever. Mr Rehall found fault with the wording of the advertisement, and said he had sixly acres near the railway station, any portion of which they might have had at a fair valuation. Ho said, "Was I to lay off two acres, say it is a suitable site for jus works, and offer it to the Council!" lie then proceeded to ridicule the idea. What Mr Renall might have done, however, was to go to the Committee and say, " I have sixty acres near the railway, and if you want any portion of it as a, site for gasworks, you can have it at a valuation," If the Committee was trying to carry a beam crosswise through a door, that was no reason why Mr Renall should try and do likewise, Had a better site been available, it would, no doubt, have been chosen, but to decry the action of the Gas Committee at this stage looks very much like crying over spilt milk. The disadvantage is not a very serious one, and we have only to look to Wellingtori to find that although, the gas works are situated at the wiper's edce, the coal is carted round (royi the wharf, which is a greater distanco than that from the Masterton railway station to the site selected,

Last night's public meeting (o hear the cundidutes for Beats in tin; .Borough Council differed little from previous gatherings of the kind, except that three out of the four candidates thought fit to decline the invitation to meet the ratepayers, preferring to add materially to the chances of Mr Cullen, who was present, The meeting was essentially Ken all's meeting, for Mr Renall kept the pot boiling for fully an hour and a half. He frankly admits that these periodic? 1 outbursts are a necessity to him, and that he always feels relieved after them, Under the circumstances it would be as well if meetings were called for his special benefit, or if he feels himself inclined to monopolise the meetings called for the purpose of allowing others to speak, he should pay a share of the expenses in pioportion to the time he occupies,

The following appears in the schedules to the Special Powers and Contracts Bill as land to be grantedA portion of the Masterton Town Lands which were vested in Charles Rooking Carter, by Crown grant dated the 6th December, 1858, No. 1622, was subsequently included, in error, in a Crown grant issued to the late W. B. Rhodes, on 29th December, 1864, No. 2330. The Masterton Trustees, in whom the land originally granted to Charles Rooking Carteu now vests, request that, in lieu thereof, 10 acres of an educational reserve, being Suburban Section No. 104, Masterton District, vested in the School Commissioners for the Wellington Provincial District, may be vested in the Trustees aforesaid as a recreation-ground, The School Commissioners agree to relinquish the 10 acres on condition that land to an equal value is reserved for primary education. On the School Commissioners for the Provincial District of Wellington conveying to the Masterton Trustees 10 acres of part of suburban Section No. 104, Masterton District, as a recreation ground, the Governor may reserve Crown land of an equal value, for primary education, to be vested in the School Commissioners aforesaid,

MrFKuch, ham and bacon curer, of Manners Street, Wellington, has an advertisenunt in another column.

A sale of merchandise, clothing, groceries, spring trap, horse and harness, will be held by Mr F. H. Wood at Martinborough on the 10th inst,

The Manawatu carrieis intend to compete witii the railway line as soon as the road between Foxton and Palinerston North has ken put in order.

Mr McAlpine, painter, paperhanger, importer, etc,, of Manners Street, Wellington, announces the arrival of new goods in another column,

Mr. E, Feist, grocer draper and general merchant, of Queen Street Masterton, has a new advertisement in another column, to which we direct the attention of our readers.

MrF, H. Wood announces that another £SOO worth of goods from the Auckland Clothing Company will be offered by him at his Greytmvn rooms to.-morr.off, TJiero will be no reserve,

Messrs Lowes & lorns announce their next fortnightly stock sale at their new Renall Street yards for Wednesday next lGth inst, The list ivill comprise some 80 head of cattle, besideshoraes, vehicles, pigs, poultry etc.

There is very little interest displayed in the election of Borough Councillors today, unu almost the only persons that appear to busy themselves are the candidates themselves. During the afternoon several buggies were om ployed in bringing up voters. The poll closes at 6p, m.

The Featherston cricketers have a grievance which the Town Board should seek to rectify. There are numerous and extensive reserves in the town, some of which are for recreation purposes, but not one is at present available for cricket or other games, all of them having been let. This is not as it should be. Wo have been asked whether the public could not enter upon those which are set aside for recreation purposes. The question is one for alawyerto answer, as so much depends upon the wording of the leases, which are not at our disposal. We hope the Town Board will take tho hint, and help the cricketers out of their difficulty.

To-day's election has been made the subject of two cartoons by Mr E. Wyllie, In the first of them three of the candidates are being carried by their nominators, who are uttering promises of success. The third has just been pitched off a donkey and says " There now I J might have known that I'd fail when I increased his wages to three meals a day." In tho second the members of the Council are standing in front of the gas works, and are congratulating each other on the result of, the election, and the success of the work, while in a small sketch in the oorner the defeated candidate is being doctored by one of those who beat him. Both the cartoons are a study, and worth keeping as a memento of the election.

Numerous reports of observations of the eclipse reached us to-day and yesterday, Our correspondent at Te Maire writes" A fine view of the eclipse was obtained here from half-past seven, it not being visible before that time owing to the heavy clouds hanging round. It was plainly visible till tho total eclipse took place, at which time it became dark, at least too dark to work inside without a candle. The stars could bo distinctly seen. A foreigner who was here at the time seemed to get alarmed, and evidently thought that the end of the world had come." Our Woodville correspondent telegraphs" A magnificent view of the eclipse was got here, There was a beautiful and perfect corona visible for two minutes, Jupiter and Venus were visible to the naked eye. The atmosphere became intensely cold for two hours,"

Know Thyself.—Professor A. E. Rice, the celebrated Physiognomist and Mindreader will give to those desirous of consulting him, the opportunity of procuring accurate and carefully-written descriptions of character, with charts and advice respecting choice of occupation, education, management, of children, self-culture, marriage, &c. Call at the Club Hotel. Charts 10s Cd and 5s each.—[Advt.]

Venetian Blind and Revolving Shutter Manufacturer. All Blinds guaranteed of the very best description. Price list on application to R. W, Hen (late Hen and Hansen.) Poneke Steam Venetian Blind and Revolving Shutter lactory, Wellington.—Advt. 1 wish jnost sincerely to thank the many visitors from the Wairarapa for their liberal patronage during the last three weeks, and beg to inform intending purchasers that my whole stock of Closing, Hats, Hosiery, &c. &c., will still be offered at the net cost price for cash, up till the end of the present month,—lam, John Thorbum, Clother & Outfitter, Willis-st., Wellington,

Our readers are reminded that Professor Rice makes his first appearance in Masterton at the Theatre Royal to-night. 'The Professor has a world-wide reputation as a mind-reader, physiognomist, mesmerist, etc., and his various feats are genuine, An excellent programme has been arranged for this evening, when among other tilings done, ft dog will be mesmerised on the stage, We have already commented on his mind-reading, and are thoroughly satisfied from tests that there is no deception whatever. The various items will be presented in a highly humorous manner, and the audience while intent on following the programme will thus find itself agreeably relieved,