MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2276, 21 April 1886, Page 2

MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The regular fortnightly meeting of the Council was held last night. : Present—'. The Mayor, and OrsCullen, Muir,.Heron, Hessey, Gappor, Chamberlain, \Perry, Williams and Mason. * . The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. CORRESPONDENCE. FromG. Beetham, accepting the appointment on the District Aid Board; from the Masterton Road Board, agreeing to the oxchange of roads conditionally ; from the Wairarapa West County Council, re by-law compelling, bicyclists to carry a light after dark on .their machines when travelling'; from Commissioner of Crown -Lands; ■ endorsing form of declaration;, from T. Murray, re fire engine; from Commissioner of Police stating that the strength of the police at Masterton would bo made- up, in a few days; from the Borough' Solicitor, re exchange of roads. ... The pound-keeper sent in -a report showing a credit balance for the month of £43sfid. EXCHANGE OF ROAD. The letter from the Borough Solicitor re exchange of road was referred to the Committee appointed to deal with that matter. . RATE ROLL, Mr G. W,' Woodroofe wrote, asking to have certain names substituted for his name on the rate roll. ■ '; The Clerk was instructed to attend to it. ■ .. NEW BY-LAW. The letter from the Wairarapa West County re by-law for lighting bicycles, was referred to a committee. WEST BUSH ROAD. .. Messrs Macara, Elder, Stevens, Donald, and others applied to the Council to have West Bush road metalled. " ■ Referred tojthe Works Committee.. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES. The Gas Committee's report was read and adopted. _ The Finance Committee report (as published in yesterday's Daily) was read and adopted, Tho Works Committee report was also read and adopted. LIBRARY COMMITTEE. The Clerk said the report had been taken away to be'altered, and was returned unsigned by the, Chairman of the Committee.. The Mayor said he thought the petition ought to be read. He was ex-officio Chairman of the Committee, but he had not attended for several meetings, He presumed the Committee had appointed a Chairman at each meeting in his place, and the report should have been signed bywhnovor was in the chair when the report was adopted. Ho understood he was severely castigated in the report, and ho felt rather anxious to hear what it was. ' • . •-

It was resolved to receive the report, which wan read as follows; - . At the conclusion of their tern? of office, the committee of the Mastortim Institute have the pleasure to submit to you the balanco-sbeet for the year ending 31st of March, 1880. A perusal .of this statement will show that with the somewhat limited means at their disposal they have done their best to maintain the efficiency of the institution, Tho income for the present year lias been only £22017s lid, as compared with £245 2s 9d for tho year previous, TMs apparent falling-off is in a large measure due-to tho circumstance that your Committeo have received no grant from the Town Lands Trust, and in consequence they have only been able to add 117 books to the Library, a number which they consider must in the fuhro be largely increased if tho institution is to be made attractive to subscribers., Tho reading-room, which continues to be.wcll patrbnisea, and is undoubtedly a great educational feature of the Institute, has, on tho othor hand been well provided for, a sum of £4l7s, or about half the amount of the Library rate having been expended on papers and magazines, while the remainder of the rato has been absorbed in lighting and fuel, It mil bo observed from the balance-sheet that the assets, including £35 5s 7d cash in Bank, are £Bl 14b lid, as against liabilities £3l6s 6d, thus leaving a surplus of assets over liabilities to the amount of £7718s 4d. By comparing this with the balance-sheet of Inefc year it will be seen that the position of tho Instituto has very materially improved,

The Library has been provided with new shelving, tho books have been re-arranged and numbered, and that long-felt want, a catalogue, has been printed and published. Owing to tho disgraceful dclapidatcd state of tho building—the roof of which is as leaky as a seive.'and the walls of which are in a hidious and rapidly decaying stat* from want of paint, your Committee ventured to make an appeal to your Council for a special grant, in order that the building might bo rendered habitable and preventedfrom becoming ruinous. Tho manner, however, in which this reasonable request was treated, proved clearly that was it hopeless to look for much sympathy or encouragement from the quarter applied to. Tour Committee, a short time ago, passed a sum of £35 for the purchase of the Wellington Press Library, but, unfortunately, the negotiations in this direction fell through owing to the Press Library Committee having, in the Meantime, made other arrangements for its disposal, your Committco would, therefore, urge your Council to expend that sum in the purchase of new books, as tho Library is urgently in. need of the same,

By the statement tho attendance of members which is appended, it will be observed that out of sixteen meetings which have been held during tho past year, the attendance of the ex-officio members, who are members of your Council is as follows: The Mayor 4, Councillor Gapper 5. If tho deep and earnest interest shown by theso Councillors is continued by your Council, your Committee feel certain that ere long the Institute will have attained an importance unequalled by any other institution in the colony, and the wisdom of the change now being made in its management will be at once apparent. In handing over the Institute once more to your control, your Committee would earnestly suggest that since you have thought it expedient to take its administration out of tho hands of tho direct, representatives of the subscribers and ratepayers, you should bestow on this somewhat ragged and hungry child of your voluntary adoption, something better than the stern and frigid step-motherly regard which you have manifested in the past. The general public and the subscribers to the Institute (which, if properly-nurtured and supported is, we believe, destined to play an important part in providing intellectual pleasure and education' to the inhabitants of Masterton) will applaud your efforts should you by largely increasing the number of subscribers and donors, improving the administration and clothing tho Institution within and without, and by generally commencing a new era .of prosperity, fulfil your promises and verify your actions in taking over its control. '

The balance sheet was. also read, the statement showing £77 assets in excess of liabilities

The Mayor thought it wan due he should explain why he had only attended so few meetings. He was only ex-officio member. He could Bee there was a want of harmony between the Committee and the Council. He felt his anomalous position, tmd when the members of tho Commita made use of phrases that were antagonistic to the Council, and he got credit in the Council for theii responsibility, and as he felt that a chanpe would be made by the Council, he thought he would better serve the interests of the Institute by gracing it with his absence The Committee in their report state they liavenotreceivedthesameamountofmoney support as last year, noticably the Trust grant. He was informed by the Clerk that they had not applied fur any monies to the Town Lands Trust, and if they did not ask it, they were not likely to get it. They complained of want of funds, and consequent inability to procure bo'oks and keep the building in decent repair, and yet they handed over a credit balance showing £77.. If he had been Chairman of the Committee, and not the Mayor, he would, taking it for granted the report was true, have spent every farthing of it. He should say it was a most imbeoile proceeding for them to be starving and yet have means to procure all their neces-

saries. He thought the Chairman need not have been ashamed to sign it, He believed'the ; burgesses would be hotter served under'the new arrangement, Ho moved the adoption of the report and bahmeo sheet, and he/would further move a vote, of thanks to the Oommitteo : They had'done, their best according to. their lights, and deserved the thanks of the Council, for the balance they had handed over. .(Hear! hear I) Cr Heron seconded tho motion, which, was carried,. ■ THE MEW COMMITTEE. • The report of the library committee aspublished by us yesterday was read. (The Council at this stage of the 'proceedings adjourned' the business to allow time for the Salvation Army to pass with their band, as tho clerk's voice could not be heard, After a lapse of»few minutes the reading of the report was resumed.) Tho report was taken seriatim. The May ir, said probably councillors were aware, that complaints had been made that the library was only opened throe days a week. This was felt to be sufficient at one time, but the population was now increased .sufficiently, to allow of tho library being opened for subscribers daily. Advantage was taken also to decide upon which days the Institute should be closed as recognised holidays. The committee further deemed the time had arrived when they should hold their meetings in their own property. Itwasfeltthat to build a new Town Hall would be premature. The present reading room was considered a very suitable room in which they might hold the meetings of the Council, and remove the reading-room upstairs, where there.was a large room with two firo places therein. They could make that room comfortablo, and the neucleus of their museum could be placed there. Fortunately,, the Committee who had just retired had left them a balance of £77 to work on. He might state also that the Clerk had informed him that.he was ready to terminate the renting of the present room at any moment, and lie would waive the claim for the usual 'notice. If the Council considered the Committee had fully carried out .their wishes, they would adopt the report. Ho would move the adoption of the report up to clause five, CrOhamberlain seconded the motiou.

Cr Heron said he agreed with the report generally. He hoped a separate account would be kept between them. The Council might allow them a decent rent, and then they would not oncroach on the Borough funds. Cr Perry thought Cr Heron's remarks were very. good. He did not want to Bee the Borough funds spent on the Institute. The Mayor said it rested with Councillors what money they oxpended in that direction.

The motion was put and carried. Clause G was then read:" That -Mr Fannin bo asked to give an estimate of vwliafc was required to be done to put the Institute in repair." The Mayor moved the adoption of the clause. Cr Williams secondod.

Or Gapper moved that Mr Russell's name be substituted for Mr Fannin's. As Borough Surveyor he thought it was their duty to appoint him.. If lie was competent to supervise the buildings erected in the Borough,!-ho should be competent to carry out the present work. He had nothing to say againt Mr Fannin, but thought their own officor should be appointed. Cr Perry seconded the amendment. The' Mayor said the remarks of Cr Gapper were very logical. He was under the impression that it was their duty to appoint the most competent man. He considered Mr Fannin the abler man of the two!

_ Cr Muir suggested if there was a report in existence of Mr Fannin's it might be utilized.

Cr Gapper said there was a report some two years ago from Mr Fannin, but he did not know whether it was still in existance.

Or Cullen asked if the proposed report was to include repairs to the inside as well as outside,

The Mayor informed him that it was. The amendment of Cr Gapper'a was, then put and declared lost on the casting vote of. the Mayor. Ayes-Cullen, Heron, Gapper, Chamberlain and Perry. Noes-Muir, Mason, Hessey, Williams, and the Mayor.

The original motion was then put and lost. Noes: Crs Cullon, Muir, Heron, Gapper, Chamberlain, and Perry. Ayes; Cra Hessey, Mason, Williams, and tho Mayor.

CrMuir moved that Mr John King bo appointed to report upon the building. He being the architect should bo the best man.

Or Mason seconded pro for)na. For the very reason given byCr Muir, that Mr King was the architect, was why he should not be appointed, He was about tho-last man in the town they should appoint to do the work. It was owing to his blunder they had got such a building, Cr Gapper said it was not for the Council to find fault with the architect of tho building. He had his own opinion of it. He was sorry it.wai not burnt down when it was on fire. He should support Or Muir'B motion. Mr King had the plans by him, and would know tho requirements.

Cr Hessey said the condition of the building considering the time it had been put up was looked upon as a disgrace to the architect. He was sorry Mr Fannin had been rejected. Cr Cullen said he should decidedly vote against Mr King. Mr Russell and Mr Fannin were quite equal to him in capacity to do the work, They were ratepayers and it was like feeding the fat pig to give it to Mr King, who w«s in the employ of the West County Council. • Cr Williams moved;anamondment that Messrs Williams and Barker bo asked to give the required information. Cr Cullen seconded

Cr Muir said the Council did not know what was required for the building. It might not need the -roof to be covered with iron and.Mr King as the architect was the beat to report upon the requirements. He had no objection to Messrs Barker and Williams giving in a report, but it would stand in their way in tendering for the work, Cr Heron said the fire in the Institute had affected the building and it was hardly fair to blame Mr King for any leakage.

Tho amendment'was put and lost. The motion that Mr King's name be substituted in the report was then put and 'carried on the casting vote of the Mayor. Clause 1 was then moved " That tho Committee have power to make the necessary alterations in converting the upstairs room into a reading room, and tho downstairs room into a Council meeting room.

The Mayor said in moving the adoption of Clause 7, he would like an expression of opinion as to the maimer of furnishing the Council room.

Cr Clapper seconded. He did not think the time had arrived to go into'an expensive suite of furniture, but he would like to see a Mayoral chair obtained at a cost of £6 oi- £7. With regard to lighting, he would like' to hear an expression of opinion upon that, They would require moro light upstairs in the reading room, but, taking into consideration that gas would soon be introduced, ho would recommend the Committee to curtail that item for the present.. • Cr Muir suggested that the Committee get alternative tenders for furniture. The motion was put and carried,

The Borough bujldirig surveyor's report was read.and laid on the table/ •

■The Mayor moved the motion standing , ; in his name-That a better provision bo; made for extinguishing fires, and that the:; burgesses be asked to authorise a loan of . £IOOO for a bettej water supply and fife' engine. -.■'''.'■•' ' Or Muir seconded, pro forma;, "but said -\ only £SOO would be required for ■ a ■ steam fire engine, the other £SOO not avail for an extensive MtfowM},':and their present creeks would,' for the present, therefore hot .; require to borrow it. ; They : certainlk, needed a steam tire engine,. and'JtMj* 1 -- did not get one they would greatly»r^st'. it, iHe did notseetho necessity of asking the ratepayers to sanction a'loan pf £IOOO/ If they put by £250 ; for two years'' they could procure an eugine without encroach, ing seriously on : the rates to ha exponded on roads.': fle thought it wawtiifyng but right v to provide that por&Tof the Borough that provided fibouT half the rates, with a means of protection from fire. ' •.'■,■ -\ .• ':'.' ■

CrCullen drew attention to> the fact that they Would want tho full £IOOO bjr the time they had provided the extra sheds &c.

Cr Heron objected to the general rotea... being used for Fire Brigade purposes;'" ■ Cr Gapper thouirht it would be useless to get a steam fire engine unless they got' a further supply of water, Cr Chamberlain was in favor of taking' a poll of the ratepayers, If they could pay it out of the general rates by puft:i?-'y by £250, why did they not accer/ijfr Macara's offer ? They niieht levy ((flyover that part ofjtho Borough benefitted by the provision of a fire The Mayor, in reply,. said that'fKsk-' ing the ratepayers to sanction a. £IOOO loan, it did not follow that, they would, require to raise the whole 'of that sum.: The question was whether it was advia-' able to strain the rates of the Borough "• when by a judicious loan thoy. could obtain what they wanted. They had now ■ the most miserable appliances for extinguishing fires. The Brigade was not. efficient enough to allow property o.wnors' in the town to sleep soundly. They,, j might have a fire that would sweep away' property to the value of ten fire engines!' It was not likely they would take more money than they required. They could by a very small expenditure of money, utilize their creeks. His own opinion was that the' time.had not arrived for them to introduce an expensive high pressure water supply,'. Their population and ratable value-, was. not great enough to pay the interest on such a large sum as would be wanted for such a schomo. If they did their duty and', placed the matter before the ratepayers, and let them docido the question or whether they would agree to' a- loan of :: £IOOO or not it would be the WopijM thing for them to do, *l»^'^' j The resolution was then put and carried.' The-moßling then adjourned.