MASTERTON TRUST LANDS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4420, 16 May 1893, Page 2

MASTERTON TRUST LANDS.

Annual Meeting of Voters, The annual meeting of voters of the Masterton Trust Lands Trust, was held in tbo Temperance Hall last evening at 8 p.m., the chair being occupied by Mr W. Lowes. The Clerk (Mr li, Brown) read the advertisement calling the meeting. Mr Lowes said he was sorry to find so few present at their annual meeting, but he supposed they must) tako it as a compliment, and flatter themselves that the administration of the affairs of the Tiuat had siet with general approbation, otbe'rofee there would have been people present prepared to find fault with them. llr Lowes here read the report as circulated with the Waiiukafa Daily Times yesterday. He had very few remarks to make in addition to what was set forth. He thought the balance sheet a thoroughly satisfactory one, and consideder the Trusters might fairly claim to have managed affairs during the past year economically and well. The usual grants had been made to the schools, and the Park Loan hud been reduced siderably. Bents were well, and he might say that since the balance sheet was made up, £ls out of the £lB outstanding had been collected, The report also showed that a number of lojsss vere falling in, and the revenue of the Trust was thereby increased. This would enable them to oreate a fund whereby they might establish a lasting memento to the forethought of the founders of the Trust, who had so endowed tin' town. This memento might take the form of a Town Hall, if the Trustees tnought proper. If the thing was dono at all, however, be should like to see it done properly, and nut only a good building erected, but alto that it should he made a place where young men conld obtain recreation in various foims, He was of opinion that when once the Hall was erected it coultUie madjg self-supportiug, but still prefer to see a fund to endow it, Referring to the school grants he said the Trustees had no desire to decrease them, or any of the grants to local bodies, Ho bad nothing further to say, and would therefore formally move the adoption of the report and balance-sheet for the year 1892-8. Mr L W. Hogg, M.H.R., said ho had much pleasure in seconding the motion of the Chairman, In his opinion, the present was the most favorable report of any yet presented to an annual meeting, since the foundation of the Trust. A large portion of an old and outstanding debt on the Park hod beon wiped off, and still the balance boro favourable comparison with that of last year. The Trust had some exceedingly useful work ahead especially with its increasing funds, It was one of the most valuable Trusts of any inland town in tho Colony of New Zealand, and indicated the great foresight of the founders, as the town was, through it, not left to rely on Government aid for everything it required, There was one item of expenditure—the drinking fountain—which he was Borry to see had not loruo fruit, but lie hoped it might yet be a success. The thanks of the community were certainly due to the members of tho Trust, who had devoted so much time and attention to tho administration of its affairs. He did not sent composition of . be changed for the better very muci^' they had done so well in the past, Ha , would again congratulate the Trustees, and wiili very much pleasure second , the adoption of tho report and balance sheet.

The Chairman, in making further reference to the kahnce sheet said that, with Mr Hogg, ho regretted the fountain would not work, When the Trust had made the grant; it was understood 'by thrift that the Borough Ccuuoil ltltepded taking the work over, Some hitch had ocourrea, he believed over a question of title, but he understood the Council was not likely to be intorferretl with, ind lie thought that thoy might stretch a point and take oyer the foun* tain and have it put in o/der, It would undoubtedly be of great use in the warm weather.

The motion that the report and balance sheet bo adopted, was then put to the meeting and carried unanimously. Mr A. W. Ronall then rose and in an excited manner referred to certain past matters connected with the Trust, of whioh he said he was ono of the founders and oldest members. Ho had been strongly opposed in certain quarters, but did not mind oppoßit'fltf in the least. Ho wished toffiqfMf ever, that the man to whom tboy '• owed everything, and who had nursed the Trust with the greatest possible oare, was Mr W, Lowes, their choir* man, and he did not think he (Mr Renall) should be doing his duty if ho did not come forward and publicly thank thai gentleman. He sincorely hoped no opposition would be offerred Mr Lowes at the next election of trustees.

The Chairman said that there was nothing more for the meeting to do. Ho would just remark that it was his impression that it would be a very wiso thing if the Trust founded a scholarship of its own for Masterton. Of course he should not expect the Education Board to reduce the number of its scholarships if this were done, but he considered it would be a graceful act if the Trustees founded a scholarship, of say £4O, and named it after tho foundorß. The matter would be discussed, and ho hoped become an accomplished fact, before the mtu. annual meeting, Mr Ronall agaiu addressed .the meeting, explaining at some length how the Trust was originally en« dowed, Mr T. Wagg moved a hearty vote of _ thanks to tho Trustees for their past services, and the excellent way in which the business of the past year had been conducted, He hoped the next might be as successful. Mr Z, M, Hoar seconded and the motion was carried. The Chairman, in reluming thanks on behalf of the Trustees, said that ever ainco he bad been conneoted with the Trust, he had fully, approoiated its value, and saw that in the cburse of time it would be almost imjjfttfr to ectinmte it, He trusted that the voters would appoint men of business at the next election of Trustees, who j while not starving the demands land requirements made upon their funds, would at the same time, avoid reckless expenditure. Mr Benall thought that the able and efficient services of Mr R, Brown, their Secretary, should be recognised. He would move a vote of thanks to him.

Mr Lowes said he had much pleasure in seconding Mr fienall's motion. No one knew better than himself tho amount of time and attention devoted to Trust business by Mr Brown. Mr Brown replied in suitable terms, the meeting terminating with the usual vote of thanko to the obitr,