MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3902, 2 September 1891, Page 2

MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The fortnightly meeting of the Masterton Borough Council was held last evening. Present— Crs Heron (in the chair), Perry, Feist, Gapper, Mutrie, Dixon, Hessey, T. and E. Chamberlain. The minutes of the previous meeting were read aud confirmed. CORRESPONDENCE, The Health Officer reported the outbreak of diphtheria in a family in Masterton, and recommended the appointment of a special nurse.—The Clerk mentioned that the child attacked with tbe disease had been | transferred to Wellington.

From the Treasury, stating that certain amounts had been paid into the Borough accounts. —Received. Erom the Railway Commissioners, stating that the cattle stops in Renallstreet were at present 46 feet wide. —Cr Hessey said this was positively untrue. It was no use the Commissioners trying to ram such a thing down their throats.—Cr T. Chamber lain moved that, seeing that the Commissioners had refused to make the alterations, the Borough overseer be instructed to take steps to make the road safe.—Cr Heron seconded.—Cr Feist supported the resolution.—Cr Gapper thought they should have the permission of the Railway Commissioners before passing the resolution.—Cr Hessey | moyed as an amendment that the consideration of the matter be held over till next meeting, to allow of Councillors inspecting the work. He thought the erection of a fence would cause a further trap. —As the amendwas not seconded, the resolution was put and declared carried. From the Volunteer Fire Brigade, drawing attention to the unsafe condition of the street ladders.—The matter was referred to the Fire Brigade Committee with power to act.

From John Webb, stating that owing to indifferent health he was compelled to resign his position as lamplighter.—lt was resolved that tenders be called for the position. From Ralph Gittings, complaining of the Temperance Hall being used ss morgue and for drunken orgies.— Mr Feist: Is he a ratepayer!-The Town Clerk: No.—Cr Gapper: I will move that no notice be taken of the letter, as the signature is fictitious and we have a notice of motion dealing with the subject.—The letter was laid on the table. From Mr A. W. Renall, stating that gravel could be taken from his pit at 4d a load.—Referred to the Works Committee, with power to act.

FOUND. The Poundkeeper reported the fees for the month to be £1 ss. The Chairman: The expenses are £2 a month, which leaves us a debit balance of 15s. WORKS COMMITTEE. The report of the meeting of the Works Committee was read, ard the recommendations confirmed. FINANCE. Accounts as recommended by the Finance Committee were passed for payment. CULVERT IN QUEEN- STREET. On the motion of Cr Feist it was decided that alternate tenders be called for a concrete and timber culyert in Queen Street, together with the filling in of the stream. The Works Committee was authorised to prepare plans and specifications for the work, and also to interview Mr Feist with regard to the filling in. WATER TABLES. J Cr Feist asked if any action was going to be taken by the Council with regard to the water supply. The flumingg as at present were unsightly affairs, and they should be at once pulled up, He was in favor of concreting the gutters, Or Hessey was of the same opinion as Cr Feist.

Cr Mutrie thought the fluming should be taken up before the summer months, as they would in aU probability breed disease, Cr. Dixon suggested the taking up of the fluming and asphalting the gutters, Cr. (tapper pointed out that their funds would not permit of such an outlay. The matter was then allowed to drop. A GOOD EXAMPLE. A book entitled "Our First Century" was presented to the Council for use in the reading room, by Mr Squires, A vote of thanks was passed to Mr Squires for his donation. COLUMBA ROAD. Cr. Dixon moved that fresh tenders be called for the extension of Columba road.

The Chairman thought it was rather early tq call for tenders for the workThe matter was held over.

DIXON STREET. It was resolved to prepare plans and specifications for formation in Dixon street.

SUPPLY. Cr, Dixon asked if there bad been any report from the Engineer of the County Council with regard to the practicability of procuring a water supply from the Waingawa. The Town Clerk replied that there bad not. GAS STOVES. The Clerk stated that the manager of the gasworks y/as anxious that a supply- of gas stoves should be procured'. " Tlie majtter was referred to the Gas CpmijaftU'e fpr\a reopmrnendation.

GJ2^Er f AL. Cr T, Chiiniberlain stated thai complaiuti had been made to him that' gravel from the Upper Plain had been brought into the West Ward, whilst boulders were being placed on the roads in the Outer Ward. Cr Heron expressed the opinion that t't?3 m etal would be divided on a prorata* scale. •Cr ; Motr»e-: There appears to me to have been no change'since the

division of the Borough into Wards. They are all treated alike. vt Gapper thought the Council should work in unanimity. They should not allow the question of undivided wards to 1 upset the harmony which prevailed. Cr T. Chamberlain expressed the opinion that the Outer Ward was not receiving proper attention, and the matter was allowed to drop. Cr Gapper drew attention to the necessity for effecting immediate repairs to Kailway road. The work should have precedence in the Council.

Cr Feist thought the East Ward was not receiving justice. The Chairman ruled the discussion to be irregular, and the matter was not further discussed.

NOTICE OF MOTION. Cc Hessey moved the resolution of which notice had been given by the Mayor, that this Council take some action to prevent a repetition of the occurrence in the Temperance Hall with the Maoris.

Cr Gapper seconded, proforvia. Cr Feist, as Chairman of the Temperance Hall Trustees, made an explanation of the matter. He thought the Mayor would have been better employed had he made enquiries into the facts of the case. The Wairarapa Daily had, he noticed, called attention to the matter in a sub-leader. He would point out that the Hall had been let on the distinct understanding that there should be no drinking. He had been in the Hall himself, and had seen nothing of a disgusting nature, although he saw drink there. He considered this to be a piece of unwarranted interference on the part of the Council, as the land had been leased by the Trustees, and the matter was not under the jurisdiction of the Council. The Hall, whilst it was occupied by the Maoris, was not under the control of the Trustees. At the same time he expressed the opinion that should another application be made by the Maoris it would be refused.

Cr Dixon thought the Trustees were not to blame in the matter. If there was a nuisance the police should have taken action.

Cr T. Chamberlain had no sympathy with the motion. Cr Gapper : The matter appears to be one of infringing the terms ot the license. Perhaps the Town Clerkwill tell us if the Drill Hall is licensed. It is being used for public amusements. The Clerk : It is not. The Chairman : That is not relevant, Cr Gapper. Cr Gapper: It looks very much like the pot calling the kettle smutty (laughter). Cr Hessey said he had been requested to take the matter up by the Mayor. He was not enlightened on the subject.

Cr Feist pointed out that there would be no recurrence of the alleged evil. He had heard that a certain clasd of tradesmen had been incensed because the necessary grog had been procured from a store. The Chairman: I think that's it. The resolution was then put and lost on the voices.

The meeting then adjourned,