MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XIII, Issue 4241, 12 October 1892, Page 3

MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary regular mooting of the Masterton Borough Council was hold last evening at 7 p.m. Present —His Worship the Major (Mr C. A. Pownall), and Crs Hessey, Dixon, Mutrie, Cullon, Feist, Chamberlain, Porry and J. Yates. Cr Yates eigned the usual declaration and took his seat for the first timo. Tho minutes of tho last meeting Vfero read and confirmed. CORRESPONDENCE, Mr E, H. Waddingtou wrote asking the Council to forward tho name of tlio Councillor appointed to act its tho Council's representative on the North Wairarapa Benevolent Society in placo of Mr S. E. Gapper. GrE. Foist was appointed to take Mr Gapper'a place. An application' from Mr Alox. Kenuedy, to have his name put on tho Burgess Roll was granted. Two other applications received were iuforrnul. W The Secretary ot tho Canterbury 'College wroto asking support for a New Zealand Magazine. It was decided to inform the Secretary, that the Council had no objection to subscribing providing that on receipt ol the first copy, the Library Committee approve of the publication. A letter was received from the Hawera Borough Council, asking tho co-operation of tho Masterton Borough Council in a movement now beiug made to erect a fitting memorial to the late Sir Harry Atkinson, in Wellington. Tho Mayor said that they ought to do their best to show that they were not behind the other centres of population in this matter. Cr Heron suggested employing a paid canvasser to collect subscriptions. On the motion of the Mayor, it w»s decided to leave the matter in the hands of the Town Clerk, to secure a canvasser on the best terms possible. A complaint from Mr G. Haskell, -4 re overflow of drainage on to his prowas referred to the Works Committee.

' GENERAL, The report of the Gas Committee was adoptod, The borough Overseer was authorised to obtain 2000 feet of timber for necessary works. Cr Chamberlain asked if there was any limit to the expenditure on the Boundary Eoad. It was in a disgraceful condition. Something more would have to be done to it. All (hat had been done was to throw a little dirt out of the waterways. Cr Hessoy said that the Overseer had told him he was limited to funds, and although the job was an un» sightly one it was all it could do. The matter was referred to the "Works Committee. Cr Feist complained, on behalf of a resident on the' Upper Plain, of the size ot the metal on the Railway Eoad, Cr Cullon said that until the road as widened net much could be done, thought that if a man were to rake up the stones and break the larger ones, it would answer the purpose, Ho would move in that direction. Cr Hessoy thought tho most had been made of the matter. He had driven along the road and it was not really so bad. It was decided to refer the matter to the Works Committee, Or Mutrie said that Mr Kingdon had complained to him, that the whole of the drainage from the Post Office corner came on to his property. Tbe stench was, at times, unbearable. It was decided to inform the Works Committee of Mr Kingdon'a complaint. Cr Dixon said he bad a motion bearing on the same matter to bring forward. Tho gutters in Queen-street were now harbours for tho rubbish and reluse of the street. The stench arising last Summer was considerable. Tho Summer was coming on, they

had plenty of tar, and lie thought iythat tlie wooden gutters should lie jPlteken up and asphalt be laid down. He would move that the Works Committee take steps to remove the water channels, and replace the same with asphalt. Or Cullen spoke strongly against this course being adopted. In hia opinion it was all bunkum about accidents and annoyance, By removing the present water channels they would be wasting the ratepayers' money. The Mayor supported the motion. Cr Feist thought it better to take up the gutters rather than fill them in.

Or Hesssy said lis was in favour of removing the gutters, but should first like to know the cost of the work, He would prefer to see the motion stand over until tho next meeting. Cr Dixon said he was willing to tako this course. It was decided that tho motion stand over for a fortnight, and that the Chairman of tho Works Commit4{tee be asked to obtain an estimato of \/*lho proposed work in the meantime, MAYORAL ELECTION.

(Jr Hcssey asked the Mayor if bo intended to again seek re-olection, . His Worship said that he was glad the matter had come up. He had held ( the office for two years and did not wish to keep anyone else out. His time was also of value, and unless it . was the decided wish of the Council ' lie would not stand again. Ho should require at least a resolution asking him to Btand if it was the wish of the Council, otherwise his conduct would appear inconsistent, aB ho had told the ratepayers that he should not again come forward, He would say, however, that he had always got on -well with the Council, and in spite of the fact that he had in the first place been returned in opposition, they had always worked amicably together. Cr Heasey said he was not an aspirant for the office. He merely asked the question as several rumours were flying about. » Cr Feist said ho might say in refferenco to Cr Hessey's remark about rumours flying about that he bad no intention of coming forward. He thought the present Mayor would be returned unopposed if he stood, Cr Dixon thought the matter might stand over till next meeting, Cr Perry was also of this opinion, Tho Mayor said that if it was the decided wish of the Counoil he would! withdraw his objections. If they desired to discuss the question he would vacate the chair. Cr Cullen thought thematter might as well be settled. He would move that the Mayor vacate the oliair, The Counoil then went into Committee appointing Or Heron Chair man,

On progress being reported, His Worship again took tho chair, and was informed that a majority bad decided to request him to offer himself for re-election. The Mayor said that as it was the wish of the Council, he would again come forward. He thanked Councillors for their confidincein him nnd considered their request tho most honourable testimonial that could have been accorded liim in bis municipal career. ACCOUNTS. Tho following accounts were passed for payment;—G. Smith, ss; J. Pay ton & Co., i2 10s. On tho motion of Cr Feist the mealing was then adjourned,