MASTERTQN BOROUGH COUNCIL

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2774, 14 December 1887, Page 2

MASTERTQN BOROUGH COUNCIL

• » The fortnightly meeting of the above Council was held on Tuesday evening in the Council Charabera, PresentHis worship the Mayor,and Councillors G. Apron; T. Parsons, S. Gapper, D. Carman, W. Cullen, J. Muir, J. Hessey, E, E, Chamberlain, A. E, Elkins, T, E. Chamberlain, and J. Macara. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. CoKRESPONDKNCE. From the Town Clerk's office, Ash burton, asking for information re th e steam fire engine purchashed from Shand, Mason <fc Co, The Clerk wis instructed to send the necessary information asked for.—From Mr Joseph Dawson, asking permission for the loan of the Council's crab winch for a fortnight, Agreed to,—From Mr Gawith, on behalf of Mis Vile, asking the Council to give her permission to sub-let her lease of part of section 24 to Mr Cawie. Application agreed to.— From the Treasury, intimating having paid 27s to the credit of the Borough funds for fines received uni}er by-laws during past month.— From Messrs Mudie & Co., publishers, London, enclosing circulars of books etc, Referred to. the Library Committee.— From F, Webster, Secretary to tho Colonial and Indian Exhibition, Sydney, re exhibits and other information. Jjaicjon the table,—From MrG. Hooper jeweller, applying tor permission to erect a horse post and sign board in front of his premises. Referred to the Works Committee with power to act.— From Mr W, Cameron (Kibblewhite and Cameron), asking Council's permission to light a fire on:the vacant section opposite Club stables, to heat .a couple of wheel tires. Being against the Borough by-laws," the application "was refused, " . Eenall's. Water Scheme. A memorial was read, signed by betweeii 80 and 70 Queen-street residents praying that tho'.Ogiuwll would give

- • - ■■■• —■-■.:. ' '.. *&>:''. Mr fienall >ev«ry facility in carrying out so .laudable an undertaking. , His Worship intimated tha'tif cillors would like to hear. Mr Renall explain his scheme in Bupport of his petition, that gentleman was waiting outside, and was willing to do so. No - Councillor objecting, Mr ReMl was permitted to explain&ln the first place Mr Renall pointed. Ui that their chief difficulty was in the Municipal Act itself. No prbvision was made wherein the Council could take oyer the water supply and charge for the same, unless they struck a special rate, which course was sure to create feelings of dissatisfaction. He could see no other way out of the difficulty than for the Council to allow him to bring down the.water at his own expense, and for them to intervene if any .damage was occasioned thereby. It waß 'his own risk whether those who benefitted :ht it paid or not. If the Council toW the water supply over it meant tha't whatever expense they wero put to, would come out of the Borough 1 funds whereas by leaving it to him,, he alone would be solely responsible,, So far as his plan was concerned there,would ba no difference in taking the water down Queen-street than where it waflßtoning ~ at the present time. TheTbotpathiJl near the post office would have to be% raised, whic,h would be a deoided im- ' provement. About a chain of pitching would have to be removed between the Police Station and Perry-street, and " then the water would run with, very little diffipulty to the hollow adjoining Denisou House. The next difficulty to encounter would te in bringing the water down Renall-street, opposite the Presbyterian Church. A hollow would have to be cut and some filling in done after which the water would ; be able to discharge itself in the mill st,-»m, His Worship; From what you bw stated, is the Council to undersfimi that you are'willing. to ; . carry'the water through Queen Street. as a pri'vate enterprise, solely at your own expense, and to make the best arrangements you can with consumers ? If so, the question arises whether the Council have the power to grant the authority. Another question for the Council to considWrwould be the altering of the grade of the street, which would possibly necessitate a lot of work being done. Any damage caused through the water being brought down Queen-street would be borne by Mr Renall j and any work, when ordered by the Works Committee to be altered or made good, he would see was carried out to their satisfaction.

Mr Renall: Certainly.' His Worship admitted that it would be very desirablo to have tile water running down Queen-street.' It being a private enterprise, Mr Renall would, of course, have to arrange with those who benefitted from the scheme to Day for it. The outcome, ho felfcsg§'vinced, would be for the good oflfia town, but, as Councillors, they were duty bound to obey the law, and protect the ratepayers. The whole transaction must be put in writing, and the plans placed in the possession of the Council, so that a record could be kept to show that- they had acted in keeping with their duty. m J Mr Renall said he wouloLe to point out that the present water, card belonging to the Council, cost, when jn use,at the rate of lOs.a day, or between £6O and £7O a year.- That being the case, he thought the could fairly pay him something tl> wards the cost of the undertaking 'if the streets were watered satisfactorily, His Worship intimated that the/

water cart was not used unless ths ratepayersgaaranteed a certain amount. The 'only expense incurred by the > Council was in the purchase of the cart. The suggestion was a very good o»»> and if the scheme proved satisfacjkk he saw no reason why a grant Jpid not be made

.Mr Renal! would be willing to give a guarantee in writing. The. hose boxes that he had fitted for fire nutposes had cost him 20s each, and he thought the Council could pay for them. This was the only Soneration he asked for. Thoy were so arranged that the engine could go to work immediately. The boxes, were placed within 36ft of each other. In reply to Cr Parsons, Mr Renall said the crown of the road at the corner of the Post Office would require to ba risen about twelve inches.

Cr Heron considered this a most important matter which should begone into at once. He thought the matter could be best settled by' a committee, and moved that Crs Muir, Parsons', Macara, and the mover, be appointed to confer with Mr Renall, at 10 o'clock to-morrow (Wednesday) morning, and to report the result of such conference to a rceeting of the Couwil to be held this night week. Tie motion was seoonded by CrCullen, and carried, TENDKRB. The Council then went into committee, to consider the tenders for carting. The following were the tenderers ;-General cartage, W.jfejrley, 9s per day, (accepted); H. Malpnay, 89 6d;J.Caffery,9s;W. tyuignel), 9s 9d; McKillop and Mutflfy 10s. Carting coal to the Gas Works from Railway station:—W, Prangnell, is lid per ton, (accepted); W. Darby, 2s; P. Hourigan «fc Co, 2s 6d ; H. Mawhinay 2s U : J. Caffery 2s 6d. MISCELLANEOUS.

Cr.Cullen directed the Council's attention to the rough state of the road lading to the Lower Manaia. The work which had been performed by the borough staff reflected anything but credit, to them. In some instates he had picked up unbroken stones folfr' six inches long, sticking out from the orown of the road. Such a thing would have not been allowed were it in the hands of a contractor. His Worship: As you have drawn the attention of the Council to this matter, the Chairman of the Works Committee will see into it.

Cr Macara thought the borough staff had done their duty, and it. was hardly right to criticise them in the manner Cr Cullen had done. The road was out of town, and was' tber6&b,nqt of any great consequence. • 'JP Cr Heron also backed u.P, the work, ancl stated the road, wasin very good order. Cr T. E, -Chamberlain drew th«

attention of the Council to the reported find of coai on the Fernrideje and hoped they would take action in assisting to develop tbo same by writing to the Minister of Mines and getting him to send up the drill to test the locality, He would also suggest that they write Messrs Beethain and Buchanan to ' get thtojTto use their Muenco in procuring same. Cr Macara informed the Council that a member of the geological staff who was now in the Eketahtma district, had got instructions to go out and inspect the locality of the supposed find, Cr Elkins thought before the Government was asked to take action something more definite should be placed before them. Cr Chamberlain's suggestion was then put as a resolution and carried unanimously, Cr Gapper then moved that permis- ■ sion be given to Mr Kenall to carry on his water scheme, provided he held ; himself responsible for all losses, improvements, k., in connection therewith, but the motion, being out of order, Was shelved, and the meeting # terminated. \ ■■ =====