BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3739, 18 February 1891, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The Masterton Borough Council met as usual last evening. Present— His Worship the Mayor, and Crs Renall, Perry, E Chamberlain,Cullen, Eton, Dixon, and Hessey. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Correspondence. Prom Mr M. Caselberg, agreeing to pay half the cost of asphalting the footpath in front of his premises.— Keceived. From Ashburton Borough Council, re petition for severance from Wellington Charitable Aid District. From Wairarapa North and Pahiatua County Councils, stating that the petition re Charitable Aid had been signed. From Blacksmith and Wheelwright Manufacturing Co., stating that they would attend to the water tables in front of their premises.— Received. From Christchnrch City Council, stating that they had no by-law dealing with traction engines, but enclosed by-laws of Selwyn County Council on same. Volunteer Fire Brigade. Messrs Kingdon and Langley, members of the Volunteer Fire Brigade, waited upon tha Council and asked for an extension of the lease of the property recently handed over to them by the Temperance Hall Trustees. As thwy were about to shift their station they wanted something like a permanent home. The Mayor said the Council had no right to deal with the tenancy of the property. HJhe Trustees were the only persons that the Brigade could deal with for ihe next nine years. They might then apply to the Council for an extension for a further twelve years. Cr Cullen moved that the matter be referred to the Finance Committee to report to next meeting. Cr Dixon seconded.—Carried. charitable aid costs.

A communication was received from Mr F. G. Moore, County Clerk, enclosing a letter from Messrs Travers and Izard, with reference to the costs in the recent litigation on Charitable Aid questions, and asking what the Council intended doing in the matter in view of the threatened wnts. The Mayor stated he did not think the Council could do much under the circumstances. They could only wait for an account on a \m> rata scale from the solicitors. poundkeeper's report. The poundkeeper reported having collected fees during the fortnight amounting to 19s Gd. WORKS COMMITTEE. The report of the meeting of the Works Committee, with the Overseer's report, was read and adopted. Finaxce. The report of the meeting of the Finance Committee was also read and adopted. Accounts as per pay sheet were passed. ORDINARY. An application from of St. Matthew's Church for the asphalting of Church and Queen-sts., on the usual conditions, was granted. The Clerk intimated that the work o,f asphalting at the railway station would cost about £lO. The matter was referred to the Works Committee Notice of Motion. The Mayor moved in accordance with notice given that the offer of the right of usiqg the water from Mr Renall's water tables at an annual rental of £2O a year be accepted, A report was read from Mr Murdoch McKenzie, in which he estimated the cost of returning the water to the mill stream at £B4. There was a fall of lft 3in from the end of the present supply to the usual level of the mill stream.

Cr Gapper thought they should discuss the question of ways and means. He would like to know wbat power they had under the Municipal Corporations Act to deal with the matter.

The Mayor stated that if the expense necessitated it they would have to raise a loan, but he thought under the circumstances they would get sufficient money from the general borough fund. They had power under the Act to take money from this fund for general waterworks.

Cr Gapper maintained that the rupning of a stream through the Borough at an ordinary grade did not constitute a waterworks.

The Mayor held a different opinion on the subject, A protracted, and as usual heated discussion toqk place on the subject, after which Cr E;. Chamberlain moved as an amendment to the motion that the question of Mr Renall's ofier be further adjourned until the question of the Waingawa supply is settled.

The Mayor stated that if the amendment was put he would withdraw his motion.

The motion was then put and declared lost, the ayes being the Mayor and Crs Renall, Eton and Cullen, and the noes Crs Hessey, Dixon, Gapper, Chamberlain and Perry. Cr Renall; Then I suppose I can cut off my supply at any time. The Mayor: I suppose so. Cr Renall: Then I'll do so.

Cr Dixon suggested the taking of a poll on the advisability of raising a loan to secure a water supply from the Waingawa. The Council then adjourned.