MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3890, 19 August 1891, Page 2

MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The fortnightly meeting of 'the Masterton Borough Council was held in the Chambers last evening, there being present His Worship the Mayor and Crs Perry, E. Chamberlain, Feist, Gapper, T. Chamberlain, Mil trie, Hessey, Heron and Dixon. The minute 3of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed, outward correspondence was read. CORRESPONDENCE.—INWARDS. From the Resident Magistrate, Masterton, requesting a reply to a communication recently sent, asking what would be the cost of fluming the water channels in Hall-street. From residents of George-street with regard to proclaiming that street a public one. From the Secretary of the Munici pal Conference, asking if the Council has any suggestions to make regarding the Municipal Corporations Act. From the President of the Masterton Football Club, asking if the Council will grant the Club permission to take soil from the pit next to the Worksop road ground. Resolved. That the Resident Magistrate be informed that no further action is to be taken in the matter of constructing the water tables in Hall-street. That the application of the Masterton Football Club be referred to the Works Committee with power to act. Local authorities' accounts and AUDITS BILL. The Clerk reported upon the amendments of the Local Authorities' Accounts and Audits Bill. The provisions as to the amounts of overdrafts appeared to be more liberal than before. Clause 7, however, he thought might be improved upon. Under clause 14, it was not necessary for the Council to print its balance sheets. He thought there should be some modification of clause 23, and clause 29 was still objectionable.

The Town Clerk was instructed to write to the Municipal Conference, pointing out the various objections of the Council to the Bill in question, with the amendments suggested. Remission of bates. It was decided to take no action in the matter of the application of H. Bentley for a remission of rates.

KUBIPUNI ENGINE-KEEPER. The Clerk reported upon the application of the Municipal Fire Brigade for the recognition of the services of the engine-keeper of the Knripuni Fire Brigade, Mr John Butcher. The Mayor thought it would be establishing a bad precedent to pay the engine-keeper, If there was any spirit of emulation in t ! e Brigade at all the work should be done for nothing. As it had been explained, however, that an engine-keeper could not be got without payment, he would move that the sum of ±5 be granted to Mr Batcher for the current year. Mr Hathaway, 'he Secretary of the Brigade, who was present, explained that a lot of work with the hoses fell upon the engine-keeper, Cr Feist seconded the resolution of the Mayor, which was pat and carried. OAS AND LIBRARY. fhe report of the meeting of the Gas and Library Committee was read and adopted.

ACCOUNT. An account for £lO from R. M'fienzie for the shifting of a fence was passed for payment, subject to the favourable report of the Chairman of the Works Committee. GENERAL.

On the motion of Cr Heron, .permission was granted to Mr M'Guire to fence a gravel reserve for his own use at a yearly tenancy, subject to any conditions which the Works Committee might impose. Cr Hessey pointed out that the railway crossing in Benall street was only 88 feet wide, instead of 46 feet, as arranged. The cowcatchers were also positively dangerous. He thought the matter should be brought forcibly before the Commissioners. The Mayor agreed that a vigorous protest should be entered. The Town Clerk had already written to the Commissioners on the subject. Cr Gapper thought they should insist upon the agreement with the Commissioners being carried out. The Mayor moved, "That this Council considers the Commissioners have not carried out their agreement to construct crossings 46 feet wide, and points out that the cowcatchers are dangerous and render the Council liable for damages through accident; and further that the Commissioners be requested to remedy the evil." Cr Hessey seconded.—Carried. The Works Committee was authorised to procure timber for the construction of street corner posts.

Kates. His Worship moved, in accordance with notice given, " That a general rate of one shilling in the pound, and a library rate of one penny in the pound on the rateable value of all rateable property in the several wards of the Borough of Masterton be made for the year ending 31st March, 1892, such rate to be payable in one sum on thefirst day of September, 1891, and that this resolution be confirmed at the next meeting of the Council." Cr Hessey seconded.—Carried. Ngamatawa Koad.

The Mayor moved, according to notice given, that the land required for the Ngamatawa road be taken under the Public Works Act, and that the construction of the road be proceeded with. Cr Gapper seconded, i Cr Feisc did not think the Council i was in a position to undertake the work just pow. There were many more urgent works in the Borough, The Mayor was quite willing to ' strike out that portion of the resolution which referred to the construction of the road. The resolution as amended was then put and earned. Gas Tank. The Mayor moved further that the Gas Committee be authorised and directed to call for tenders for the purchase and erection of an iron gas tank. He thought the Council should place themselves in a safe position in this matter, as the present tank might collapse at any time. Cr tiapper asked if the tias Committee had determined that it wouid be impossible to repair the present tank. The Mayor said it was almost im< practicable to repair the present tank. Cr Gapper seconded the motion pro forma. He had had conversations with the manager and had been assured that the present t*nk could be re-constructed for about L4OO. A new iron tank would cost about LI2OO, and he did not think the extra expense was justified. They should go carefully into the question of cost before incarring a great expense. The Mayor was quite willing to fall in with the suggestion of Cr Gapper, providing there was reasonable security. To allow of Councillors giving i the matter full consideration he i

would ask permission to hold over bis resolution till next meeting. After further discussion it was decided to allow the matter to stand over till next meeting and that the Gas Committee be requested to consider the practicability of re-constructing the tank. The Mortuary. The tender of Mr C. E. Daniell, at L 72, for the erection of a mortuary was accepted. The meeting then adjourned.