BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3716, 21 January 1891, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The usual fortnightly meeting of lie Masterton Borough Council was

held in the Chambers last evening, there being present His Worship the Mayor, and Grs Eenall, Hessey, Dixon, Eton, Gapper, Cullen, E. Chamberlain, Perry and T. Chamberlain. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. CORRESPONDENCE, From Department of Justice, enclosing circular re appointment of Licensing Committees. From Railway Commissioners, stating that the question of removal of cattle stops would receive full consideration. From Colonial Secretary's Office, calling attention to the fact that no fees for the inspection of weights and measures had been paid into the Borough fund account since 1889. From Sergeant Price on the same subject.—Cr Eton thought it singular that an inspection of the weights and measures had not been made since 183'J.—Tho Mayor thought that an annual inspection should be made. From George Smith, custodian of

the Municipal Fire Brigade, requesting an increase of salary, as it was impossible for him to be always in town under the present arrangements. From the Secretary of the same Brigade, suggesting that employment in town be given Mr Smith.—On the motion of Cr Cullen the matter was referred to the Works Committee. From Messrs riamerou and Christie, Wellington, enclosing invoice for goods forwarded i Poundkeeper's Report.

The poundkeeper reported having i collected fees amounting to £1 8s Od 3 for the month. Works Committee. The' report of the meeting of the i Works Committee was read and ■ adopted. 1 Finance. The Finance Committee's report was also read and accounts passed for payment. Inspector of Nuisances. The Inspector of Nuisances reported that in his opinion the deposits made on the Waipoua riverbed at the north of Dixon Street weie a nuisance and a menace to the public health. Some action should be taken by the proper authorities. Cr Dixon thought that the Inspector should be instructed to take action. The Clerk stated that the deposits were on the riverbed, which was outside the boundary of the Borough. Cr Renall did not think the riverbed was the property of ths County Council. The Mayor: That is a question. Cr Perry remarked that the question had been continually before the Council, and residents had demanded that action be taken. There was a decided nuisance in these deposits. Cr Dixon thought another spot could be found for the rubbish. The Mayor moved that the Inspector be instructed to take all necessary steps to stop the deposits being made in the meantime, and that the matter be referred to the Works ' Committee, with the object of securing a proper place for receiving ' rubbish, ] Cr Eton seconded.—Carried. Cr Renall stated that ho had ( given permission for rubbish to be . deposited in his mill lead. The Waipoua Bridge. ! It was decided that the question J

of re-decking the Waipoua bridge be held over till the return of Mr Brerauer. NEW ROAD. The Mayor gave notice to move at next meeting of the Council that a road be formed to connect the Upper Plain road with the Akura road. WATER SUPPLY. Cr Gapper moved that before the Works Committee h<ts any power to deal with questions of. water supply the Council itself be consulted, and plans and specifications be prepared. Cr Renall thought such a notice would be unnecessary. The Council could deal with the questions of water supply as they might arise. Cr Gapper said he had brought forward his motion to obviate wrangling among Councillors. If they had plans and specifications for what was done there could be no dispute. The Mayor considered the motion too general. He did not see why this scheme should be singled out. Cr Hessey seconded the resolution. As one of the Works Committee he did not care about taking the responsibility of an engineer iu regard to a water scheme. Cr Cullen : But the responsibility rests with the Council. Cr Hessey: It rests with the Works Committee. Cr Cullen : Then resign. Cr Dixon thought the resolution was a very proper one. Cr Eton asked whether, if the resolution was carried, Mr Caselberg would be prevented from carrying out his scheme. The Mayor did not think he would.

Cr T. Chamberlain understood Mr Caselberg's scheme was under the supervision of the Council,

The Mayor said Cr Gapper's motion was an indefinite one: it did not apply to any particular scheme. Cr Renall moved as an amendment that no plans or specifications be ordered until application is made for work to be done. Cr. Eton seconded.

The amendment was put and declared lost, ayes being the Mayor and Crs. Renall, Eton, and Cullen, and the noes Crs. Hesssy, Dixon, T. Chamberlain, Gapper, E. Chamberlain and Perry. The motion was put and carried. Cr. Kenall then moved as an amendment that the question be deferred till next meeting. It was a matter on which the burgesses should be consulted. The Mayor ruled Cr. Renall out of order. The motion had been carried. Cr. Renall: Well, I give notice to move at next meeting that this motion be rescinded. Weights and Measures. Cr. Eton moved that the attention of the Inspector of Weights and Measures be called to the fact that an inspection had not been made since ISS9, and requesting that au annual inspection be made. Cr. Chamberlain thought if Cr. Eton had a number of scales he would not be too anxious to carry them to the inspector. He thought a inspection ence in two or three years was sufficient. Cr. Eton : It is not the honest people we want to get at, it is those who are dishonest. Cr Gapper considered it would be very hard to compel residents to take their scales to the Inspsctor once a year. Serious inconvenience would be caused thereby. The Mayor did not think it necessary that every person having scales should be compelled to take them to the inspector.

Cr Eton then altered his motion to read that the Inspector be requested to visit tradesmen annually and inspect the weights and measures.

Cr Cullen seconded.—Carried Standing Orders,

On the motion of Cr Hessey, seconded by Cr Dixon, the standing orders were adopted, subject to revision. Ordinary. Cr Gapper stated that complaints had been made to him of the dangerous state of the footpath in Perry St. opposite the premises of the Blacksmith and Wheelwright Co. —The Clerk was instructed to write to the Company on the matter. Mr Renall's Water Supply. The Mayor, in accordance with notice given, moved " That the grant of the right to use Mr Renall's supply of water from the Waipoua for three years (with a further extension of two years provided the burgesses approve) at and. for the annual sum of £2O be accepted by this Council from Mr Frank Renall, the only condition being that the water is returned when required into Mr Renall's mill lead if the levels so permit, of which the grantor takes the sole risk." Cr Cullen seconded. The Mayor said he had not come before the Council empty handed. He had an agreement signed by Mr Frank Renall and Cr Renall, offering to grant a lease of the water for three years, and a further two years at the option of the burgesses at a yearly rental of £2O. He thought the Council would be very foolish if

P they did not accept. the terms [ ottered. The objection could no longer be raised that there was nothing definite, Cr Hessey asked if there was any quantity of water specified in the agreement. Tne Mayor replied that there was not. Cr Hessey thought it would not be wise to compel the Council to return the water. Cr T. Chamberlain would like to know what would be the probable cost of returning the water to the mill lead. The Mayor stated it would be difficult to fix the cost of such a work at present. Cr Dixon asked if the Council could legally pay Mr Renall out of the general rates. The Mayor replied uhat it could under the Act. The Council could acquire waterworks. Cr Gapper did not think the running of the water through the streets was acquiring a waterworks. Further, the passing of this motion was only putting in the thin end of the wedge. Cr Renall had already ignored an agreement, repudiating all liability. They had before had plans and specifications which had been taken no notice of. They had this evening passed a resolution that plans and specifications be placed before the Council, and if the motion of the Mayor was carried they would have a repitition of the old thing. The Mayor thought Cr Gapper was out of order.

Cr Gapper said he would like to know what would be the cost of returning the water to the mill lead. Cr Renall: This is the old obstruction.

Cr Gapper: I must object to Cr Renall speaking after every Councillor. He assumes the right of Mayor. I

Cr Renall: I was quite right, you had resumed your seat. Cr Gapper : I had not. You have no right to be continually speaking. I would again ask who is the Mayor of this Council. The Mayor ruled Cr Renall out of order.

Cr Dixon said he could uot vote for the motion until he knew the probable cost of returning the water. Cr Renall: Well, to settle this matter, I'll offer to return the water for £25 providing the Council removes the metal. Cr E Chamberlain thought thoy should have the levels taken before the motion was carried. Cr T Chamberlain was not satisfied with the agreement. The Mayor explained that he had put the matter as concisely as possible. Cr Cullen considered the matter was really shelved by the motion of Cr Gapper regarding plans and specifications!

The Mayor saw no objection to bvels being taken.

Cr Renall stated that he had in his possession the levels. They had been taken by Mr Rawson. Cr Gapper had been talking a lot of rot. Cr E Chamberlain moved that the estimates of the cost of returning the water to the mill lead be obtained. Cr Dixon seconded. Cr Renall: Then my offer to return the water for £25 falls through. The motion was then put and carried, and the discussion on the original motion was held over. It was decided that Mr Bremner, the County Engineer, be asked to prepare the estimates required. The meeting then adjourned.