MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4907, 20 December 1894, Page 2

MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Special Meeting, A special meeting of the Masterton Borough Council was held last evening. Present—His Worship the Mayor, and Crs Hornblow, Hessey, Hughes, Mutrie, Yates, Cullen, Chamberlain and Feist. MINUTES. Tho minutes of the last meeting wero read and confirmed. APOLOGY. An apology was received from Or Wagg, who was unavoidably absent at Eketahuna, LICENSING. A letter was received from the Premier's oice, with regard to the charges complained of in connection with the late Licensing Election,and stating that as they appeared excessive, enquiry into the matter would be made. BALANCE SHEET, Tho balance sheet for the past half year was received, duly audited and found correct. THE NEW MAYOU.' Mr George Heron made the usual declaration as Mayor of Masterton, In returning thanks for his election he said in taking his seat again as Mayor, he thought he could fairly congratulate the Council on the work of tho past year. Thoy had not carried out any exceptional work, but had attended well to the streets and roads. Some people complained that they had not purchased enough books, but they could not do much on a penny rate. Thoy bad in any case spent the money and done their best, Excellent relations had existed between himself and the , Councillors in the past and he hoped ; they would continue. If be had i been compelled to call any Councili lor to order he hoped it had been taken in the right light, Cr Feist said as a senior member L of the Council, he felt called upon to ' congratulate His Worship on again winning the chair for the third year, • particularly as in the face of oppo--1 sition he had polled more votes than ' any candidate at a previous Mayoral election in Masterton, He had much ; pleasure in again congratulating His 1 Worship, and trusted all differences t would bo buried and a fresh start made -with, the New Year. Cr Hornblow said as a late oppo- | nent of His Worship, he felt called , upon to congratulate him. Person- . ally he agreed with Cr Feist that all ; oldctiondifferences shouldbedropped i and the Mayor would findhim willing i to submit to his ruling, If ho sometimes spoko heatedly at the Council, i be meant no harm, ' His Worship returned thanks and said if ho should happen to make a wrong ruling, ho would on finding he > had mado a mistake, ho quite preL pared to apologise, He was sure ' they would got on well, Cr Cullen moved that the Com- , mittees consist of the whole Couni oil, five to forma quorum, with the . Mayor as Chairman, Cr Yates seconded the motion, i The Mayor thought it would give i Crs unnecessoiy trouble, and not work ■ so well. i Or Feist thought tho present system of Committee's was the best • With regard to the suggestion that i the Mayor be Chairman of the Gas 1 Committee he was quite willing to submit to this, but he should like to » have a reason stated, as it almost 1 looked like a want of confidence in ' the work of the Gas Committee in ' the past. Cr Chamberlain thought a small 1 Committee would do more work, with i less talk, than a large Committee, i Cr Cullen said he wished to throw no reflection on Cr Feist, or the Gas [ Committee. He merely thought that | starting tho new year it would bo well to make the Mayor, as head of the Council, Chairman of all Committees. Cr Hornblow thought it inadvisable to alter the present arrange" ments. Cr Cullen's motion was put and lost. The Mayor said he was entirely in the hands of the Council as regards the Chairmanship of Committees. Cr Hornblow moved that the Chairmanship of the Committees remain as last year. The Mayor riow had his hands quite full as Chairman of tho Works Committee, and he was convinced that no one could give more time or attention to the duties of Chairman of the Gas Committee than Cr Feist. The Mayor said that Cr Feist and himself were quite of ono opinion on the matter, Cr Hessey moved that tho Works and Finance Committee consist of Crs Mutrie, Chamberlain, Cullen, Hessey, and the Mayor,, with the Mayor as Chairman, the other members of tho Council to act as a Gas and Library Committee, • with, the Mayor as Chairman, His reasons for wishing to see the Mayor Chairman of Committees was not out of any feeling of want of confidence in Cr Feist, but because the Mayor got all the blame of anything which might not be right in the eyes pi the public, as if he were tho whole body, and he should like to seo himiii a position to take the onus, Or, Hughes seconded the motion, at the'same time stating that he fully recognised th? ability of Cr Feipt,, .:,'..."'„''.' '"' ' . ■ss eis saidho vfilling

;.■-■■ ■::■.■.-.-. wM to be relieved of the responsibility of .jM the Chairmanship of the Gas pom* 'm mittee, and would Bupport the ioa of Cr Hessey. ■' v : £*•; The motion was then then put and''}/; carried. ;• ;f ; On the motion of Cr Cullon the meeting then adjourned,