MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XIII, Issue 4288, 7 December 1892, Page 2

MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Ordinary Meeting. I The usual monthly meeting of tho Masterton Borough Council was bid last night, in the Borough Chambers, there being present; Cra Heron (in • the chair), Hessey, Mutrie, 11.l 1 . Dixon, Jk iTates, Oullen, Chamberlain Perry. MINUTES, ' The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. CORBESFONDENCE. Cr E, Feist wrote asking leave of absence from the meeting, Tho request was granted. MR, KINQDOH AGAIN. Jlr S. Kingdon wrote asking a final "* reply from the Council in re the nuisance previously complained of, caused by tho overflow of water on to his property, The Chuirman said that the Inspector of Nuisances had reported that there was no nuisance. He would move that the Clerk write to Mr Kingdon informing him .of the In- A appotor's report and stating that the I" Council cannot take action in view of this report, Cr Oullen seconded. After discussion the motion was put and carried. OAS committee's report. A, The Gas Committee's report of ' investigation of certain charges brought by F, W. Parker against J. v F. Robinson, Manager of tho Gas Works, was laid before the Council, Tile complaint of Mr Parker was (Ist.) That ho was discharged from tho Works and another man employed in his place. That the work dono since his discharge was very little,. (2ud.) That money had been paid to the manager for residuals, during tho last eighteen months or so which had not been accounted for or entered, in the book, which was kept at the Manager's house instead of at thn VVorks. Several casas of small amounts alleged to have been handed to Robinson by Parker were sot forth, including one item of 10a paid by Mr 0. Anketell, which Mr Robinson ad- s mitted having received, but explained that it was given to him in the street, ' and he had made a memo of it at the time, but not having the book he bad forgotten to enter it and had lost thg-fc memo.

In reply to the Committee, Mr Par ker stated that lie knew these things were going on, but did not report them as his bread and butler depended on it, Ho had, however, spoken to Mr Kobinson months ago telliug him lie would not cloak him any longer. He would have brought the charges a month sooner, but could not reter to tho book.

Mr llobinsoii stated in reply that it was altogether very queer that Mr Parker could not bring any ohargo until he had searched the book, and bo* leoted dates not thero on which to bring bis charges. He deuied positively that Parker had over said a word to him on the subject or anything about cloaking hiui. He had received 10a from Mr 0. Anketell for a pipe taken from Ohapel-street, and had niado a memo of it at the time as the book was at the Town Clerk's offico, but it was overlooked when entering up. The book wbb never kept at his (the manager's) house. A . In a written statement put in by*" Mr Robinson ho stated that Mr Parker had worked at the gas holder Bnd afterward at the retort house. He (Parker) had neglected his work to suoh an extent that he (the manager) was obliged to do it himself, Parker left shortly afterwards, Had subsequently given Parker another job and kept him at work as long as he could. Having another man at the fires, he did not think it right to put Parker back to work he had neglected, From that time the trouble began, As to Parker's charges about the monoy ho handed to him, he knew nothing. Or Dixon said ho should like to explain that no charges were made by Mr Parker, until he had seen tho Gas Manager's book and had picked dates on whioh thero were no entries, The further discussion of this was adjourned while MrEobinson fetched his hook,

4 Ou resuming tho discussion Or Dixon Baid it was only fair to Btate that Parker hod loli) bim that all he ai wanted was to be ro-instated at tho T' gas works,

Cr Yates said ho had been told the Bame thing by Parker, The Chairman said there was ono item set down as not entered in the

book, which ho could clear up. Mr Watson had obtained some tar which he (Cr Heron) had paid for and the entry appeared, That ono was therefore disposed of, The item of 10s Mr Robinson admitted ho forgot to enter, Or Chamberlain said such a thing might easily occur.

Cr Culleu said that Parker might go on laying charges of this kind until doonißday, Unless the people who were supposed to have bought the things were called, they could not tell how it stood,

Ci'B Yates and Dixon considered tho matter should bo thoroughly investigated.

' Cr Hoßsey was also of this opinion, ' but said that Parker might go on making these charges with nothing to substantiate thorn, Parker had bcon i " particular to pick out dates on which there were no entries in looking over " the book. ' Cr Dixon said Parker made tho charges solely from memory. Ho had told the Committee that he had , no notes or entry of the cases, Ho liad supplied tho articles to people ' himself and had no dates or memorandum. No charges had been made ' until after Parker had seen the boob. He had also refused to make the charges in writing, Cr Chamberlain said it was a question of "who were they to believe," Porker stated ho handed the money '/ to Robinson, and Robinson said ho did not. Cr Hessey suggested asking tho people to whom the goods were said to have been supplied if they received them and to whom they paid the money, From the evidence before the Oounoil either party might be in the wrong, Cr I'crry thought such charges should he substantiated or not brought at all. Tho Chairman suggested Mr Hathaway's calling on some of the peoplo mentioned by Parker and reporting what they said, 'They certainly ought to look into the matter thoroughly and clear it up. Or Mutrie considered it was their duty to sift the matter to the bottom. If left in abeyance or partly covered up, the onus would still hang on the manager. Cr Oullen moved aud Or Chamberlain seconded, that Mr Hathaway, Cr Mutrie and tbe mover wait oo some of the- people whose names were mentioned and find out who the money was paid to, and whether the oharges could be substantiated,

Or Dixon said he was not going to shield the manager, but he should liko to point out that Parker had stated lie had known about these matters for twelve or eighteen mouths, and yet wid nothing until lw was discharged. The Council should bo careful in receiving his statements. There was nothing at all to back up tlio charges. • Or Cullcn's motion was tlion put *- and carried, and it was decided to adjourn the further consideration of the matter until next meeting. Cr Hessey thought that for the future it would bo advisahln io allow nothing to be sold without a note from tlio Town Clerk. FIRE BRIGADE'S REI'ORT.

The Firo Brigades Committee's report was read as already reported, Cr Oullen asked that the recom. tnendations in the report be taken seriatim. The recommendation that Mr Carey's agreement re the use of the water be enforced, was adopted. The recommendation to procuro a horso and dray and employ a man who shall drive tho engine, was next taken. M Cr Perry moved the adoption, Cr Cullen said ho was not opposed to the procuring of a horso and cart, but with the view of the louses falling in where tho present buildings now were he thought the matter should be adjourned for the present as it would V> B necessary to erect stables etc, The Chairman S'lid they did not propose to obtain the things to-morrow morning or next week. Cr Dixon said they now paid Fireman Smith £25 a year to drive the engine, and he thought they might eflecta saving by adopting the Committee's report, Cr Hessey was in favour of getting a horso and cart. He thought it would bo a very good thing. After souio further discussion the motion was put aud carried, TUB UItHAHY BBIIDIXaS, The Olcrk reported that practically the work at the new library was done It only remained to cover tho floor and remove the books, Ho also suggested tho weeding out of tho old books and selling them. Tlio matter was referred to the Library Committee with full power to act,

Cr Hessey asked if an approximation of the cost could be given. The Chairman said it could not. Jtti was decided to close the reading room for ono day lor cleaning purposes,, benevolent trustees, Crs Feist and Perry wero reappointed to represent the Borough Council in the Noith Wairarapa Benevolent Trust, BRUOE STREET. The Clerk said he had been requested by the Town Lands Trust to again bring the state of Bruco-street under notice of the Council. It was decided to refer the mate to llie Works Committee. The Clerk poiuted out that the lease of a section in Perry-street would fall in the end of the month, and suggested applying for a strip for widening the road. It was resolved that a deputation wait on the Trust on the matter, and also with' reference to the lease of the buildings at the back of the Fire Brigade Station, A NUISANCE,

The Olerk said complaint had been msAj by the Sev \V. E, Paige about a very offonsivo smell, which has been traced to Park Avenue, arising from a freshly deposited hoap composed of rotten fish, dead cats, and human excreta, After some discussion Cr Heron • moved, Bud Cr Uullen seconded that the Works Committee get the rubbish depot in River Road fenced in, and make regulations for ils use. General, Cr Dixon moved tbnt the hour of meeting be altered to 7.80 instead of 7 p.m. during the summer months, The Chairman said notice of motion would have to bo given. Notice of motion was given by Cr Dixon accordingly, The Clerk pointed out that at the last fire, a gas meter was destroyed. They had now about f GOO worth of meters. No provision was made for insurance, It was decided not to insure the A meters, as a Joss very seldom occurs, Cr Dixon thought that the ranger \mfcit doing his duty, Large nutubor oroorses and cattle were at large overy night. Ho would mo vo that he be asked to give greater attention. CrHessoy soconded. Ho considered tho matter required attention, The motion was carried. Cr Heron moved and Cr Hessey seconded, that a monthly return of all materials sold by the Gas Manager or overseer be laid before the Finance Uommitteo. Carried. Cr Hessey moved andCr Yates soconded, that in future nothing be supplied without a note from tho Town Clerk, Carried. On the motion ol Cr Cullen the meeting adjourned.