MASTERTON TOWN LANDS TRUST.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4897, 8 December 1894, Page 3

MASTERTON TOWN LANDS TRUST.

Monthly Ming, The regular monthly meeting of tho MastertonTown Lands Trustees was hold last evoning, Present llossrs W, Lowes (Chairman) E. I'eist, 0. B. Daniel], A. Vile, T, P. Lett, and A, W, Rouall. MINUTES, The minutes of tho last meeting were read and confirmed. OKKKItAI,, J. B. Roberts wrote asking to bo released from tho conditions under which lio had been allowed to use a certain section belonging to the Trnsteos.-Tho application was granted, and tho Chairman empowmako arrangements with an applicant for the nso of the paddock. D. Pickering wrote asking the Trust to pay an account of £6 5s for laying gaspipes at the Union Boarding Houso, as such costs are usually paid by landlords, It was resolved that the account ho Sid, but that the matter be not takWas a precedent. Tho Manager of tho Greytown Building Society wroto with re. specfc to tho falling in of the leaso of section 88, in Dixon Street, leaso expiring on December 3, ,° next, and asking a refund of in ' anco paid on buildings on tho I s 1",'" —The application was granted ' I.EGAI. CiUHOKS, Messrs C. Hughes and S. Syvorston wroto complaining of the charge of £8 18s each for preparing their leases.

Mr Bunny wroto with roforcnco to the alleged unreasonable charges made in connection with the Town Lands Trust leases, enclosing the Wellington solicitors' scale of charges, which were higher than the charges mado by him, Tho Chairman explained that Mr Bunny had nevor said ho would do tho leases for £2. Mr Bunny had, however, agreed to draw up the ordinary leases for £2l2s 6d, these being exactly the same, with the exception of a few trifling particulars. Tho leases to Messrs Payton, Hughes, and Syverston were quite dilforont.

In reply to Mr Feist, the Chairman said it was understood that lessees paid the legal charges at tho time of the sale of tho properties. Mr I'eist thought it really a matter between the applicants and Mr Bunny, Mr Vile said tho objection was that the parties interested thought there was a fixed fee.

The Chairman said they had no written agreement on the matter. Mr Henall thought that tlie only thing was that the aggrieved persons would know better in future. Ho did not see why the Trustees could not prepare their own leases, instead of paying such prices, Mr Lowes said he did not believe in "every man his own lawyer." Such a course often meant endless X) FOOTPATHS. The Maste'rton Borough Council wrote asking the Trust to contribute half-cost towards the asphalting of GluujSh Street from Hughes' cornor to Dixon Street. The Chairman pointed out that it really meant a permanent improvement to properties just lefcfor a term. Had tho work been done before the leases had been sold, the reserves would probably have been higher. It seemed rather taking the Trust at 'a disadvantage. . Mr Lett moyed thatthe Trust find one quarter of the cost, providing the tenants payaquarterthemselves. Mr Feist thought it very necessary work andas the tenants already paid a pretty stiff rent, he should have preferred to see the Trust pay the half, as it would bo a permanent improvement to the town. The Chairman said while recognising the fact that the work would be an improvement to the town, he hardly saw why the Trust, in the present state of its funds, should be called upon to improve properties, the leases of which had just been sold. Mr Feist said he would second Mr Lett's motion to test the Trust's feeling on the matter. Finally the motion was amended to " That the Trust is willing to pay one quarter of the cost," and carried, tho Chairman remarking that he opposed the motion, as he did not think the Trust should spend anything on the woik. A DISPUTE. The Clerk informed the Trustees that Mr Macara was of opinion that he was not liable for the repairs to a certain property in dispute, on Town acre 44. ■ The Chairman thought it would be as well to have a friendly action and settle the matter, as the Trust's solicitor gave the opinion that Mr Macara was liable. It was finally resolved' that the solicitor be instructed to take action, The Clerk also reported that with regard to the Waiponaßrewery property lease, Mr Caselberg had not found tlurjcaso, and tho matter was left o'jgrj •iWrows IULb QUESTION'. Mr Vile said that a notice of motion ro Town Hall, brought up by him had been held over for some time, ho wished .to again introduce the matter. The Chairman said the motion had been withdrawn until the Drill Hall question had been settled. • v Mr Vile said he wished to move tEat a committee bo appointed to go into the question, so that the inhabitants might be given to understand whether there was a possibility of the Trustees undertaking to erect a Town Hall within any given time. Tho Chairman said he did not think the Town Lands Trustees wero tho proper persons to undertake the work. Mr Vile said he understood that the inhabitants had already, at a public meeting, asked the Trustees to erect a Town Hall. It was a work of public utility. Mr Ronall said that the Trust had received the insurance money from tho old Town Hall. Mr Feist thought it would be advisable to give tho matter mora consideration. Mr Daniell thought there might be some misconception on the part of the public as to the Trust's position. He should therefore second • Mr Vile's motion pro forma. The motion that Messiu Lowes, Feist, Daniell, and Vile bo appointed to ascertain the position of tho Trust with regard to the funds derived from the old Town Hall, and

to consider tho possibility of erect-, ing a Town Hall, and to report at noxt meeting, was thon put and cnrrioJ. ' '

I Accounts for rates wero passed for payment, and the meeting went into Committee to consider the <'black list!"