BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3820, 27 May 1891, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The first meeting of the newlyconstituted Masterton Borough Council was held in the Chambers last (Tuesday) evening, a full Council being present. His Worship the Mayor presided, and witnessed the usual declarations on the part of the Councillors. He expressed the hope that the business of the Council would be conducted with that amicability and decorum which should characterise such proceedings,, and that the dignity of the chair and individual membership would be respected. He extended a'hearty welcome to the new Councillors. The minutes of the previous meek ing were read and confirmed. CORBESPONDKNCE. From W. Wight Smith, requpsting that bis name be placed upon the Burgess list. From L. Caselberg, Revs. K. -Wood and J. Dukes, and H. Peterson, with similar requests.—Cr Gapper moved that the whole of the applications be granted, provided they are in accordance with the Act.- I —Cr Dixon seconded.—Cr Heron stated that not. withstanding a resolution of the Council the Clerk would not pat names on the roll contrary to the Act, —Or Hessqy remarked that Council elections might continually occur, and the insertion of names on the roll would be indefinitely postponed.—Cr Feist asked if the £ct referred to th<j pending of any election. —The Mayor thought it did. He would move as an amendment that the present application be held over till after the licensing election.—Cr Heroa seconded.—Carried.

From A. : W. Hogg, M, H.R., stating that hie bad interne (red the Railway Commissioners with regard to the crossings on the Upper Plain road, but could see no hope of the' request of the Conncil with regard to the crossings being acceded to.—Cr Heron stated that they had the same fight with regard to the crossing near the railway station. He could see no hope of their getting the width of the crossings , increased.—Or Hessey pointed out that in Featherston and Palmerston the crossings were wide. He would move that the Commissioners be again written to, request" ing that the width of the orossing be increased to 46 feet.—Cr E Chamberlain seconded.—Carried.

From Wairarapa North County Council, stating that the question of fluming the water channels in Hall Street would be considered at the next meeting, as it was thought the matter might be affected by the Borough election. The Mayor seated that some aotion would have to be taken in the matter.

From Volunteer Fire Brigade, requesting' that gits be supplied to the engine shed on the same terms as previously, and that Captain B. Hounslow be appointed a fire inspector. The requests were granted.

From Messrs Lowes and lorns, offering several allotments in Fergusson's estate for sale for a gravel reserve, for the sum of £SO. — Referred to the Works Committee for report. From Messrs Parker .& Co., asking if the Council would sell them a quantity of aspbalte which was lying unused.»-Apnlication granted, subject to the favorable repcrt of the Overseer. From R. Hornblow, requesting that he be granted the printing of the Council, ip he was brought into unfair competition with the newspapers.—Referred to the Finance Committee, for a report to next meeting. Municipal Fire Brigade. The annual report of the Municipal Fire -Brigade was presented, which showed the Brigade to be in a ver satisfactory condition. The report was referred to the Finance and Fire Brigade Committees to deal with the matter of uniforms, etc. fNSEECTOR 0¥ NUISANCES, The report of tj}e Inspector pf Nuisanaes was read as follows ;

I have visited this day the slaughtering places whiob are licensed within the Borough of Masterton. 1 find nuisances to exist in the whole of them. In Mr Hockley's slaughter-ing-place, there is an accumulation of filth. In Mr C. Wagland's slaughtering plae» he has allowed blood vats to overflow, thus getting jptq a state of nuisance; also the piggery may be in a better condition. ' Mr W. Ferry's sjajjghter-yard is anything but a crenJit $p t]jp§e y/hg «j,re responsible, having no system fop gleanlinegs. I intend enforcing again the Act provided for this purpose. I intend to ascertain the days slaughtering takes place, and if not cleaned and the foul matter removed within 24 hours, take action in the matter. I observed this afternoon in Lincoln Road tjba't the footpath was under water m several places; also some damage was dene to the footpath. I noticed some females wading their way through the water to the railway station. I also notice the water is working out a large hole in the water channel, taking away part of the road side. I am, etc., J. C. Ingham, inspector. Eenall Street. A petition was read from a numof ratepayers, complaining of the manner in which the repairs to §tree£ were being undertaken, and requesting tnaj; if possible operations be suspended until after the wfnter. The Clerk slated that there wtts no power under the specifications to grant the request. They could only inflict a penalty for non-completion of th.e work at contract time. The matte* was held over till nest meeting, the Mayor promising to see the contractors and endeavor to arrange for a temporary passage for vehicles. MpNfCIPAL CONFERENCE.

His Worship the Mayor was appointed a delegate to attend the Municipal Conference to be held in Wellington on June 15th, and it was decided to hold a special meeting of the Council to draw up a programme of questions concerning the Borough. Election of Committees. Crs Heron, Fessey, Gapper, Mutrie and E. Chamberlain were appointed a Works, Finance, By-laws and Sanitary Committee, and the Mayor and Gr§ Perry, Feist, T. Chamberlain and J)isfln a firas, Library, and Fire Brigade Committee, Cr Heron wag appointed Chairman of the former Committees, and His Worship the Mayor Chairman of the latter. Signing of Cheques. The whole of the Councillors were authorised to sign cheques. Water Supply. The Mayor thought the question of a water supply should be considered by the Council. Either tin water would have to be out off entirely or regulated. Pie would moye that Mr Caselberg be .requested to complete

the contract for bis supply to the satisfaction of the Works Committee, or the water be cut off altogether. Cr Qapper seconded.

Cr Dixon moved as an amendment that Mr Caselberg, or his representative, be requested to complete the contract to the satisfaction ot the Works Committee within fourteen days, and that the water be cut off in the meantime.

The Mayor thought an opportunity should be given Mr Caselberg to complete his contract, otherwise he might come on the Council for compensation. Cr Dixon replied that Mr Caselberg had not yet taken over the work. He would, however, be willing to withdrawn that portion of his resolution referring to the cutting off of the water.

Tne Mayor:. On these conditions I will withdrawn my resolution. Cr Hessey seconded Cr Dixon's resolution.

Cr Heron could not undei stand how the Council came to allow the streets to be cut up. The motions of the Council, sanctioning the work under certain conditions, were here read by the Clerk.

Cr Feist would like a little information on the subject. It appeared to him that permission had been given Mr Caselberg to do the work under certain conditions, and these conditions had not been complied with.

The Mayor: That is so. The motion was then put and carried.

The Mayor pointed out that the questioned now to be considered whether" they would coutinue the supply and flume the channels or cut it off altogether. Cr Heron moved that the Works Committee be empowered to abate any nuisance caused by the water in. the meantime.

Cr Dixon seconded.—Carried. MOKGUE.

; _Cr T. Chamberlain moved that His Worship the Mayor, Cr Gapper and the mover be appointed a Committee to arrange for a site for a morgue.

Cr Perry seconded Carried. Municipal Corporation Act. On the motion of Cr Feist the Clerk was instructed to procure copies of the Municipal Corporation Act for the benefit of councillors. The Town Clerk Attacked.

* The Town Clerk read the following letter ; —

Bib. I beg to bring before the Council a personal matter affecting myself that took place at the late meeting of candidates for the Council in the Theatre Royal. In the Wairarapa Dailv of May 13th, Mr Renail is reported to have stated that I acted in collusion with Cr Gapper in getting a much larger expenditure of money in Renail St contract than the Council authorised or intended. As I am debarred from a public denial, I ask the Council to protect me and give publicly to the facts of the case, which are as follows: On the 3rd March last in a full Council meeting the plans and specifications for Renail St work—widening, foothpath, and reforming, and metalling—were laid on the table. On the motion of Cr T. Chamberlain seconded by Cr Dixon the Councii decided to call for tenders for the whole work per plan, etc I did not call for tenders, then but brought the matter under the notice of the Works Committee on March 16th, pointing out the large expenditure involved. The Committee, however, recommended the Council to let the whole of the work according to plans and specifications and the Counoil adopted this recommendation. Tenders were called and opened on March 81st and the lowest tender accepted.

I may state that Mr Itenall has since denied that he made the statement referred to but said merbly that some "confusion" bad occurred. As, however, the statement has been published, I appeal to the Council to clear me of the imputation.—l am etc,

R. BaqwNt Towq Clerl?. The Mayor moved, that it Is the opinion of the Council that allegation of the above nature, if made., were incorrect.

1 Cr Hessey seconded.— Carried. Cr Gfapper moved that the resolution be recorded on the minutes, There was no doubt but that the Town Clerk had been attacked. B>. did not thjnk Mr A. ty*. IJenall had any grounds for his remarks. He was tlje only person benefitted by the wprje. The Mayor did not think thid a time to go into the merits or demerits oftheoase. Cr Heron seconded Cr Gapper's motion, which was put and carried. Tenders. Three tenders were received for 11.88 chains of formation and metalling in Columba street, but a tender was ©nly"fiQnditjpnally <iccepte.d. The meeting then adjourned. I