BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3545, 25 June 1890, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The Ordinary fortnightly meeting Of the Masterton Borough iCouncil was : held in the Chambers last evening; . Present-,Ors Mason (in the chair), Perry, E. Chamberlain, MoEwen, T.- Chamberlain, •Dixon, Hessey, Fitton, and Capper. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed, '/ j COKRESPOSDBNOE.' From P.' Mulcaliy, asking that the name of P. Brown be inserted on the valuation roll. Beceived and request granted, From B. Stewart, commission agent, Wellington, asking if the Council had any debentures for sale, —Received,

From Railway department, accepting the offer of the Council re lighting railway station with gas; also referring to asphalting.—The matter was referred to the Gas and Works Committees with power to act. The Volunteer Ham,.

A letter was read .from W. W. Scott, proprietor of tho Temperance Hotel, calling the attention of the Council to the fact that the Drill Hall was advertised to be used for dancing' purposes, in contravention of Borough by-laws, the building being' unlicensed. - The Town Clerk stated that a letter had been sent to Captain Pownall with reference to the subject.

A second communication was read from Mr Scott, stating that the hall had been used, and asking that action be taken by the Council in the matter.

Mr J. W. Lang also wrote, complaining of the hall, which waß unlicensed, rbeing used for. danoing purposes," ■

A reply was read from, Captain Pownall, Btating that he would be at the Council's meeting and explain the aotion of the Volunteers. He did not think that any harm had been done, and applied for a license to be now granted for the use of the hall for dancing and meeting purposes. ;•

Cr Gapper thouglit they should not hear Captain Pownall on the subjeot. " Tho Borough Surveyor had inspected .the hall, and had reported unfavourably upon, it, and on such report it was resolved that it should not be 'lioenßed. Before a license could be granted the former resolution would have to be rescinded. He would move that the Town Olerk be instructed to take immediate action against the officers of the Bille Volunteers for infringing the Borough by-laws.

Or Fitton seconded pro form, but in doing so moved further that Capt. Pownalljbe heard. • On a yote being taken it was resolved that Captain JfownalL be permitted to explain Lis" position in the matter.

Captain Fownall said that the hall had not been used in a manner which would oreate a breach of the Borough by laws. It, was not in the power of the Council to prosecute, and if such a course was adopted it would have to be through the Town Clerk, The hall had only been used twice this season, and it was quite likely it would be used but twice again during the present winter. They had been endeavoring to get the building shifted, but it appeared that'the very persons who now complained were putting obstacles in their way. He was applying for a license for dancing and meeting purposes only, and he thought if' tho Surveyor again reported it would, be in favor of granting the license Nothing hod been paid by the footballers for the use of the hall and they were letting it to the Celedonip Society on the same terms. He submitted that the hall was quite suited (or dancing purposes, and lie did not think the Council would be going out of their way in granting the license applied for, which he trusted would result in breaking up the existing monopoly, , The Chairman: You are prepared to shift the hall in three months.

Captain Fownall replied thathe had no doubt it would bo shifted in 'thai time.

Gr Dixon .sympathised with both parties. It was'quite evident band, playing "acid skating was a' nuisance. But, at the same time it was a fucl that the Theatre Royal was unauited for dancing, and the Drill Hall flooi was the only one adapted for the pur' pose m the district. .He would mov< as an amendment ibat the license applied for be granted. Cr Gapper pointed out that before o license could be grbted the existing resolution would have to be rescinded,

Cr. Fitton said that as' the gather ings held in'tlie hall were of a purelj private character the Couooil had m jurisdiction, ',

The Chairman thought the Counoil TO placed in'a very unfortunate position.? £e would prefer that the matter be rtjogatcd to a committee to report oh at'next-meeting, They could not go behind tho by-laws. >.; . ; Cr Dixon replied'tbat if the matter was held oyer- till next Meeting another ball will have been held. :j Cr T. Chamberlain contended that before the license could be granted the present motion would havo to 1 B# rescinded. . ' t , Cr Gapper remarked tbat;,tw gatherings held were of a semi-ptM |oli araqter and be considered (he by should be upheld.'\His had aljvays been with 1 the Volunteers,, but the;, Council-were bound as: ti public. todyto'defendMr' Scott,; : Cr Perry did think' that Mr Scottwonld object torthe haii used twice'during the'yreaent wiiltw He.thought that itWas;. a' pity ;the notfgranted at first. (Hear llearl)' | J \ the smolldffS! Ot.Dixon^th^he^dition'ihat^ihe

report of the. Surveyor and a ■ Com. mittee of the Council,

Or flapper said that the question wasjiot as to the suitability of tho of by Mr Bcotfc. The Council would v have to be prepared lo "defend an action if they granted tho license. Had the Volunteers applied ta Mr Scdtt in the first instanoe lie had ; . • no doubt he would. have * granted permission to use the ball. . , . , Cr E; Chamberlain said he would support the- amendment if • the Committee were named. ' . Cr : Hessey asked Mr Scott, A 1 waspreftnt, if any; of,his'boarders i' had complained.

Mr Scott: If you were' there you tould know what a nuisance was I ' Or - Hessey: lam asking jou a question; Answer it I Mr ScOtt : Every man in the house £ has complained. It's no uso a committee waiting upon me I _ v / Captain Pownall: That's how he's treated the Yolunteera all through ■ (Cliairl) ; . After some further discussion the amendment was put and carried, and the motion of Cr, flapper declared lost.. .

Or Fttton, after the amendment had been carried,'suggested that the ' Council allow the matter to sleep, - ' and. if Mr Scott objeoted, let him proseoute the Captain of the Volun-V ' teers. '■ ' Or X; Chamberlain ; thought),fe l " : > wholeooncernwas afarce." Hewask l " surprised at- a Councillor that a committee'to consider the question ■be appointed, and, then ■ i suggesting that the Council allow the •" : •>' matter to sleep. .. .:. ■ ; - Cr Gapper said as the motion was . carried they would be oompelled to appoint a committee to report. Cr T. Chamberlain remarked that it was impossible »to grant a license • • before the existing motion' was rescinded. /'

After considerable discussion' a committee consisting of Cm Fitton,; M Jiwen, and Dixon were in conjunction with the Borough™ Surveyor, tb inspect the building and - '■■■< report, •, ■ . ■ ■ Cr Gapper then moved that notice of motion be given to reoind tho ; previous • resolution before anything further is done. :

Or; T, Chimberlain eecoudedi -Carried.

OAS COMMITTEE, • The report of the meeting of the Gas Committee was read and On the motion of (3r Fitton,?r seconded by Xr Gappir, it was decided to erect a lamp at the railway station gates.library commitieb. The report of the Library Committee was also read and,adopted., Cr ly Chamberlain, referring to the library, stated that he did not consider it fair that a non-ratepayer could procure books for the sum of 5s per year, whilst ratepayers who in a great many instances contributed £1 and £2 a year had hot thia privilege. Or Dijon Baid it was his intention to tnovfl in the matter, but lie had not yet received the information he desired on the matter, ' :

surveyor's REPORT, \l The Borough Surveyor, that Mr T, E. Price, had not conformed with the building/ V regulations in, the construction ofa v •' chimney on his property, , ' ' ' Or JFitton moved-that Mr Price be' written to and requested, to conform with the by.-laws..' 1 Or T. ■ Chamberlain' '' Carried. '" : ' - -

INBPEOIOK 0? NUISANCES. that in two cases in the Borough carcases had been deposited on private property in contravention of by-laws, : : Cr Dixon moved that the Inspeotor be authorised to take action,' \ Tlie Inspector said he was quits aware he had the power to proseoute; but he would have some difficulty in proving a nuisance, In 'bis opinion deposits such as he had stated were injurious to public health, and a bylaw. should be framed to prevent similar occurrences, ' : Cr Fitton moved that the matter be • referred to the By-law Committee, Or Dixon seconded.-^Oarried, • TOTO CLERK'S REPORIi As the Town Olerk was absent through illness, the reading.of the annual report was further adjourned till next meeting. ; . V" • The Council then adjourned, ■