MUNICIPAL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2534, 25 February 1887, Page 2

MUNICIPAL.

Tho adjourned meeting of the Masterton Borough Council was held last"everiin.g (Thursday). Present—'His:Worship the Mayor (Mr M. Caselberg), Councillors Mason,- Muir, Elkina, Hessey, Parsons, T. Chamberlain, Papworth, Gapper, Carman, Cullfen.and Perry. TH9 STOKER FIASCO. The Gas Committee's - report of February llth.;was,read, which pointed outiiiataniong'.'the applicants for the position, of- gas. gtolier, Messrs Rook and Exell were selected as most fitted, and also stating the arrangements for street lighting. In moying:'the: adoption of the report the' Mayor' said that the Committee had found out that they had made a mistake in attempting' to select a stoker, as it should have been left to thfe' "manager to select his own subordinates.

Cr Hessey, in seconding the adoption said he had been given to understand that M essrs Books and Exell were considered the most eligible candidates, and were supposed to have a trial to see if they were capable, but had been refused'-'by the Marjageri who had since'engaged;a man -who had been working at the Gasworks for some time past. He could see no sense in adver-. tising and going to considerable expense and trouble for no good whatever, and ,'tbouglit-tile -Manager. should have said in the first place what kind of man he wanted, and that he liad one on the works suitable for the job, The Mayor said that the Council and Committee were to blame, and ought to have thought the ■ matter out before going the length they did. At present they were groping their way, and learning, and there wfts no doubt as they progressed they \7ould becomq efficient in the management of Gasworks.

Cr Mason had been given .to understand that the new stokers would have to give six of seven day's, trial to see if they were suitable for the job. One of the applicants could not- afford the time necessary for the trial, and would not do so, as he was likely to lose his billet. He did not think there was any blame attached to the Manager..

Or Muir understood that none of the applicants were used to the work, The Manager thought the present inan most suitable, and had engaged him. If a more capable man had applied lie would have been appointed. Cr Papworth said that Or Muir could not have paid much attention to the credentials of the applicants, as one from a man named Reardon stated he had served two years as gas stoker. Or Muir—No, no. Crs Papworth and Perry would like the application read. On the letter being read, several Councillors expressed themselves of the opinion that the mp had been a gas stoker, ' Cr Jrfuir informed the Council that Beardon had stated he was not used to gas"storing. ' ' . l V Or Muir had

The Maypr pointed out that if the manager was to have a man .that

suited liim, it was only right that he should have the selection of them. 1 The Committee's report was then read, THE SIVAL.REPORTS.

On [the Gas Committee's report being'read, whioh embodied Mr J. R. George's report, the Mayor asked the Council what course they intended to ,adopt.;. Would, .they deal with if ■Separately,- -or would they hear MrSmith's'report read? He pointed : out;thati'Mr ' George'a report outcome ■of their' deliberations' - and recommendations, but thought that in ali fairness the.other should be read.

Or Gapper would.liketo be informed who Mr Hooker was. The Council had nothing before them to show that he Was competent to,report on a gaswork. ■: The Mayor informed them that the Editor of the Star had seen 'Mr Hooker's credentials. '

■Cr Gapper argued that the course could not be taken as reliable, considering that it was only hearsay. If Mr Smith had written in a respectful manner, and requested to have the report laid before the Council,, accompanied by Mr Hooker's credentials, then they would have something to

guide them, Cr Perry would like to know who Mr George was? The Mayor stated that they'all knew who Mr George was, and if Mr Smith wanted his report to have any weight

be should have sent the credentials oi Mr Hooker. .'.

Cr Mason would not object to Mr | Smith's report • being read so as to give both sides fair play, but,considered it was rate msulting to members of' the Council,' Cr Perry said that Mr ■ Smith had not been asked for his credentials. He was acting on the defensive; The Mayor argued tha'tthe Council never asked for his report, therefore it was ijiore necessary that lie Should have put in the credentials to back it 'up.' He did not consider both reports were on a par. One was from an Engineer who was well known, and the other from a man unknown to the Council.

Cr Perry (interrupting): We don't know the other man better than we do Mr Hooker.

The Mayor: lam not speaking _to you Councillor Perry, I am addressing the Council. You will have the opportunity of addressing the Council at the proper time/ It was resolved, on the motion of Cr Gappor, seconded by Cr Mason, that Mr Smith's report be read. On that/ being done the Mayor stated that the Council had asked for Mr George's report chiefly about the tank, as it was getting worse every, iay, and likely to go to pieces if left alone. Thoy also wanted an opinion on the general state of the works. He was pleased that they had the report, as it dispelled the illusion of a great many about everything being wrong in connection with the works. He must admit the fairness of it as it gave praise where it was due and pointed.out anything that was wrong. No doubt Mr Smith thought that the report of Mr George's casted imputation on his work, and bo got another report from an outside source, which tells the Council that they have got good machinery and a'good building, things that were only to be expected Beeing the large amount of money expended on them. Both reports correspond in the main, but when it came to the tank even. Mr Smith's report could not but admit that it leaked, and trios to explain this through the exceptional formation of the land. As regards the Standards being out of level they wero both of the same opinion. Mr George advocates that the work be done at once, while the other recommendation is, " let it alone." No doubt the latter course would bo the least expensive at present, but there was considerable responsibly.. The great question was the leakage of the tank, and if they would listen to their manager's recommendation, they must do something at once, or it will fall to pieces. Cr Perry said if Mr George had a couple of the Gas Committeo with him lie would have got a little more information on the works, and would have been able to have reported more extensively. He would like: to know how Mr George was able- to inspect the tank and know it leaked.

The Mayor said that himself and Cr Mason, both members of the commit-

tee, accompanied Mr George. Cr Mason explained that about 60,000 gallons was running in daily and as the tank did'n't fill, it was evident there must be a hole somewhere. : '

Cr Perry thought they knew thai before.

Or Papworth did not believe in wasting the time of tho Council over nothing, and moved that Mr Hogg be requested to state what he knew of Mr Hooker's, credentials, as it appeared the, report was only being poked fun at." : Or PwoiMQQflded &Q motion to expedite matters, Cr Perry did not not think it necessary to ask for information on the matter.

Cr Mason argued that Mr Hogg's word would carry no weight. Let him produce the credentials. Cr Gapper characterised the whole proceedings as so much waßte time, They were getting evidence by sidewinds. The Council wanted impartial evidence, to guide them, and Mr Smith should have sent them if they were obtainable. If this had been done Council would have some-' tog to 'guide them, but all they had got was a report written to Mr Smith and not even addled to tho Council.

The motion.was then carried on the voices, 'and Mr Hogg stated that he saw Mr' Hooker's credentials, which There were sixor seyefiof them which evidently, emanated from corporate bodies. As far as he could remember one was a testimonial from a gas com-

was employed three years and a half; anothpy was from a gas ?o%>£^ys Tppwoambfi, Queensland stating that•Mr Hooker had'' inspe;jite.jj ais carried 'out fces§yi' • |o||a .s#tiß- ; faptord ; anotheif stated' %t Mr Hooker hadinspeoted the Maryborough Gas Works, and .-the remainder were of a similar usto. Mr Hogg saidlw

had ..not seen Mr knew tials. ■'■■■V l

CrCullen, with a view of hanging up both reports, Would move that the recommendation of the manager to shutting off the gas from the tQwh,,tye adopted.. Bfe Mr Geor^|;. fee, .and. that : contained iftfrndealto -M carriedout. ; - s 'rl' ■" ' Or- ferry said -that 'Mr GWfgs .report was nbituag. been previously Gas Committee," if they had gone into the 'hiiatter with spirit the tank would have been watertight now.' . . . Cr Parsons did not thiiik they could

place.any reliance' on Mjyj&orge'B report, and considered height to have had the whole of the Gas Committee with him to point out anything that needed attention'. He did not consider Mr George knew much about .cement work, or he would not recommend it to be put on in the way ha I has done. Whilo he did not disagree [ with the report, he did not consider, they got a pennyworth of good for their thirty guineas. He could See nO difference in the reports materially, 'aiid he considered "one as good as tho other. They could not get away from the fact that the tankleal;ed, and if they were going to puddle the outside he would like to see a concrete bottom; Cr Cullen said puddle in first without' concreto, and

if it did not stand they could then put a concrete bottom in. Cr Hessoy 'considered the Council were not in a position to say whioh was the best way to do it, that was a question for experts, they could not all expect to be Engineers. His opinion ■was to carry out Mr George's plan, cement the inside and puddWhe out* side to the botton of the w^f The Mayor explained that Mr George made his recommendations re puddling to 7 feet, from .information he received from the manager. ■ v Cr Muir severely criticised Mr George's report, and/said he was recommending a more 1 , dangerous thing in place of the smithy, between the retort house,and purifyers. Ee cement, from what he could learn, it should be put on in ono coat,. for if .on®was allowed to dry before the next wajput on it would scale off with the frost. Ee puddle, he did not believe in the seven feet scheme. Ee supply pipe from creek in Bannister street,# considered it too expensive and hnnecessary as .it would not be required when -the tank was made watertight; - Did not think so many gaa.lapg metres necessary, Agreed with MtjSraith'B report that contraction and -expansion would damago retorts. Would not take

upon himself the credit of instituting the Bannister street-..water supply, might have mentioned it to Mr Smith, had heard of it previously from some one. Considered tank ought to bo

done at once, but would not' be in favor

of a rigid wall of concrete, as it'"was liable to be broken by eartJSflakes. He would lie in favor of calhngw alternate tenders , for the puddling and cement work, the Council .could then see the relative costs ,and act' according. Ho moved " Tliat separate tenders be,caUed for puddling the outside of the tank from 2ft thick at %bottorn to 18 inches at the top,and for cementing the inside of the tank with one coat of cement ai) inch in thickness," Cr Gapper in seconding the motion pro form, said as the amateur engineer* of the Council were airing their eloquence, andpropoundiiigsohemeswhea there was the plans of experts before them, he would like ,to follow suit and say a few words. He contended that the wholo thing was his recommendation' of months ago. The Committee did iiof feel inclined; to carry it out to place the responsibility on the shoulders ,of an engineer of .standing. If they did not carry out the scheme as recommended in its entirety, and it turned ; out a failure the blame would rest oil the Council. He would vote for the worßeing done according to Mr George's^ort. Cr Mason would favor the amendment, if the puddling was dono first he would object to the gas'being turned off if it could be avoided. ■ CrT.E; Chamberlain favor of the puddling 'being done first,, as it would wash away if the leak was from the inside. He should prefer to see the cement work done first, and a good job made of it, • Cr Hessey was in favor of cementing the inside first if they were going to do it piecemeal, and thought that by touching the outside now after everything had spttled down the structuro would be weakenod.

Cr Papworth said ,he had got an opinion from cement workers that it was the most absurd nonsenso aver' suggested to put one ooUt of oement on' another after they have dried. Ho considered that the air of piquancy | about Mr Smith's report destroyed its usefulness, and that Mr George's,'., report had the appearance of contain-' ing all the tattle ho oould scrape, together. He characterieed Mi? George's - charge as monstrous,'" and said. no , Engineer could make' a thorough inspection of Gasworks at night,, with ' a bos of matches and. candle, questioned whether Mr George 'could " legally charge for his' SuMty yojk, and thought that thirty jtja a good sum for about an'lvoS's work, on Saturday night. Mr' George brings.. hi? Wellington manager up with him,-' who pokes his, nose into everything, and props the Engineer up in anything, that required-noticing.' It was quite evident from'the report thatMr Geojgfl ' ■ had received information before, hg. arrived 'i# Mastertofl, ;?s'he found tpH with things that were well done, Hct then ridietiled the idea .of tfyiprlia " tying carried on by a Manage? at boy, and concluded by j that a, thin coat of cement be put on ' the shingle before the puddle is put

necessary to, adopt a a,t the bad weather was 'T'jed ''' and wellj iaot make with puddle, and then with a oeiaent boHom,. Thet:: wqi»: ;

' - meam —mmb———■ most valuable time, and the days wore ulflodrawing in, and people would require morogas, consequently the inconvenience and loss would be more aevero if 1 ; they delayed the work, Ho would prefer aeoing tho tank done both inside tind out, and not by piecemeal, It ' ■ was not such a great undertaking, if ihoy entered into it with spirit, Mr George had cleared up the impression .obout the general bad work of the " ' whole concern,, and he thought. the money, was welhpent., ■ : • Cr'Muir's amendment was then put | ' andcarried. Or 1 ." Parsons moved as a further amendment "That a layer of concrete, , one fodt in thickness-be'placed on the ,' bottom beforo the puddle is put in," Cr Cullen seconded, ..A i, .Cr Qappor did not think it neccessary, as it wa3 liable to wash away on the water rising. He should prefer to ' have a concrete wall above high water ' ; mark, ! : Cr Muir suggested totara boards to ' .protect the sides of the puddle. ■ Cr Papworth agreed with the*amendment as it would protect the bottom of ■ ike puddle as well as the tank, especially as tho strain would be on the •: lower portion of the tank: ; ' The Mayor would be in favor of sub- ' initting the proposition to Mr George, ;\as it appeared to be a question.that /..required some study. ' He could'see .. that when councillors discussed things • of which they had some knowledge I they spokq rationally enough; but when' .they came to subjects of which their knowledge was limited, itjwas only a matter of conjecture with them- and the» efore he considered it should be submitted to an expert. Cr Parsons amendment was put and lost by nino to three. 1 Or Mason moved, " That the ques- '.■ tion of putting concrete on the bottom ut, beforo placing tho puddle in, be W submitted to Mr J. R, George, C. E, This was carried after Blight discussion. by nine votes to three; ■ : OAS COMMITTEE, Cr Parsons was elected a member of ■ the Gas Committee, vice Cr Giipper i resigned. THE WAIPOUA RIVER. Tho Mayor in referring to this ' question said that there were several tmon why it had been delayed, among . which was a legal difficulty. After iurmounting this, they found that there were rival schemes for the protection of tho river, and the Council in its ' wisdom had voted for both of, them, . consequently they were then placed in - , a dilemma. They bad then to go over the wholo thing again, and call in the 'toißt&nco of tho R.M. to get the right of entering on certain land, and , then communicate with the owners of the foreshoro, and get their permission, 'By the time this was done the division of the Borough cropped up, and that put it out of the question altogether, ■ ' ; as it was recognised that tho expense 1 -would not bo a general one, but confined to the ward where the work was j. : done, consequently the question got ® hung up. He would like to see it ' fully gone into at the next meeting, and hoped they would have all the data before them, so that it could be fully discussed, No doubt the ques'tion would be raised as to whether it .•■would be a Borough or a Ward i' expense. ■; Cr Gappev thought that if the Council decided to do the. 'work it should be a Borough expense. The Mayor and Cr Elkins were ' Appointed to sign the agreement with .'Mr Adams, re the land for protective wprks. ' i NOTICES OF MOTION, The following notices were tabled for discussion at the next meeting.— Cr Parsons "That tenders be called for the supply of books and ." .stationery for the use of the Council '; for one year from date," Cr Papworth—" That the amount of overdraft be placed on tho order paper at every meeting of the Council," Cr Cullen—" That the whole of the Committees of the Council be reconfltructed with a view of amalgamating ' jgk some of the Committees, and that no Wconimittee Bhall contain more than one member from each Ward." After Cr Mason had expressed an ' opinion that Councillors should know ~ the position of their finances at each meeting, the Council adjourned. SIR JAMES PAGET AND FRED ARCHER The following story is told by a correspondent of tho Pall Mall Gazette Archer, having been bitten or otherwise injured by a horse on one option, called • on Sir James Paget. Th 6: eminent surgeon having bound up his wound, Archer requested to know how long it would take to neal. "Oh," said Sir James, "I think in three or four weeks you will bo a'l right," , . " But Bhall I bo fit for tho Derby?" ... asked Archer. Ye-es," was the. reply. "Oh/yes! '\. I think you may go to the Derby." " No, but you don't quite' understand : me, Sir James," persisted the jockey. " Imean Bhall 1 be fit to ride ; " Well I don't know," was tho apswer, . " better drivo; better drive." Archer, rather taken hsck by this very innocent and unexpected rejoinder, -had : to'explain. "lam afraid, Sir James,' i M scarcely realise who I ain." ' '' : eaid tho surgeon, politely referring to the patient's visiting card., "I | , Bee I have tho honor of receiving i . Archer, "but.—" ■■■ • ® "Well," said Archer, "Lqupppie I . 7'may say that what you are. in your. pro*, fessiori, Sir James, that I am in mine;',' and proceeded to tell him what ''hat pro,- i feaMog waa. The famous surgeon, on learning the ' status of his visitor, was at once greatly ( ■ interested,- and asked him eagerly many questions, among others, what would be 1 hlfl.lflsS aiipposing he should be unable to • fulfil tho Derby engagement; to which Archer replied" •' About £2o,oo?'' His average annual income he stated (if I mistake riot) to be about £BOOO ; upon . which Sir J,aifl(s vemarked: "You may well s,iy that \yhat 1 am in, niy profession, jpjj are in yours I, only wish that my profession was half aa profitable aa yours;" A curious incident occurred aiAldorshotthe other day., It seems that tinned Miftsmed; the men once a, fortnight. » °PWing one of these tins«. n Yiell-jseaspned bPM-. ijjgl" was iaaqd ' are going in-for site now-a-4ns, . One man invented a sort of tank,, by, . ithieh ho collected the juices that ran from ' the stack.', ; Some laborers improved the ,qc- ' cusio.n,, and, by . fermenting this liquor! . obtained ■ what they called silobeor," with Jgwhiah'tlwy ®gd<) the»selm very