MASTERTON TOWN LANDS TRUST.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5124, 7 September 1895, Page 2

MASTERTON TOWN LANDS TRUST.

MONTHLY MEETING.

The regular monthly meeting of Masterton Town Lands Trustees was held last evening. Present, Messrs C. E. Daniell (in the chair), A. VMI and R, B, flornblow, '*&>

MINUTES. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed.

treasurer's report, The Treasurer reported a'credit '\ balance at date of £204 0s 4d. Accounts as submitted were passed for payment.

THE TOWX HALL. The Bill, recently passed, empower, the Trustees to raise a loau for the proposedTowuHall, was laid before the meeting. It was resolved on the motion of* Mr Daniell, seconded by Mr A. Vile, that a hearty vote of thanks be accorded to Mr A. W. Hogg, M.H.R., for his services in connection with the *- Town Lands Trust Empowering Bill, Mr A. Vile gave notice of motion for next meeting:-" That a bonus of £25 be offered by the Trust for the design which, in the opinion of the Trustees, is most suitable for a Town Hall, in Masterton j Committee of the whole TrusJjMttP appointed to meet at the convenient date to determine on the dimensions and character of the Hall required, the Committee to be empowered to advertise for designs in one paper in each of the four centres of New Zealand, and in the two local papers," ' TRUST PROPERTIES.

Messrs Daniell, Vile, and Hornblow were appointed a Committee to inspect certain Trust properties, and report on repairs needed. It was resolved to charge E. Braggins 6s per week rent, and to allow him Is por woek in consideration of his duties ub night-watchman. Tho Secretary was instructed to distrain for rent due in a number of cases, and to determine a certain

tenancy. MR. CASELBERG's LEASES,

M. Caselberg wrote offering to surrender his leases, and pay all ground rents due together with £IOO, conditionally on his roleaso being granted. Mr Horublow moved, in acSflf ance _ with notice given, that the question of Mr Caselberg's leases be re-opened. The motion was carried. In speaking on the matter, Mr Hornblowsaid that the question had been f ally gone into, and he believed that if they accepted Mr Caselberg's offer lie thought it would bo mow beneficial to the Trust to accept tho £IOO than to compel him to erect tho two cottages. Ho would move that Mr Caselberg's offer bo accepted, Mr Vile said he had originally opposed tho surrender, but now thought they might do worse than accept the £IOO. The £SO previously offered by Mr Caselberg, ho did not think enough, but if it waß provided that Mr Caselberg left tho tenement she surrendered in repair, he would support the resolution. Mr Danicll said he quite sympathised with Mr Caselberg as ho would with any other man man who had made a had bargain. They MJL however, as Trustees, to look atW matter from a purely business point of view. If tho leases were not j surrendered Mr Caselberg would I have to pay £126 in rent, and leave, at tho end of his lease, buildings of tho nominal value of £2OO, in addition to those already existing. On the other hand they were offered £100; which with interest added to the end of tho term would bring the amount up to £126. They might reckon to get £B4 rent from the cottagos proposed to be surrendered, but ho did not think they could got more. This brought tho total up to £2lO. He wished to treat the mattor fairly, but they had to consider their position as Trustees. Mr Hornblow said be thought that the Trust was not bound by any hard and fast rule in the matter. He did not think there would be any gain in keeping Mr Casolberg to tho terms of the lease. MrVilesaidontho increased offer of Mr Caselberg, and out of consideration of tho fact that Mr Caselberg had lost heavily with the properk, the Trust should meet him. JU might not be business.but ho thou Jr it would be just. They might show sqme sympathy. The present rent charged Mr Caselberg was not a'fair one.

Mr Daniell said it was dangerous to confound business with sympathy. They could not go outside the four corners of a bargajn, Looking at the matter from a business stand; point, tho course proposed meant' a loss pf about £76 to tho Trust, Mr Vile said he knew their Chair, man was in favpr of the surrender being accepted, and hod, id not thin)? they would bp accused of being toq sympathetic in releasing Mr Casel, berg.

Mr Daniell said he hardly liked • the present meeting taking responsibility of releasing Mr Gasel, berg. It would be better to leave the matter over for a full meeting. Mr Homblow said ho hi noticed that the consistency—or inconsistency—of members of public bodies was rather flexible. Mr Daniell had voted fqr Mr Macara/B rejeaso qp payment of a certain sum. " The Chairman said the case w£ ' not a parallel one at all. It wajft, question whether they had any holdon Mr Macara at all,

In reply to Mr Vile, Mr Daniell said his estimate might be open to correction, He had no object at all in opposing Mr Caselberg's surrender oxcept from a Trustee's point of view. Messrs Hornblow and Vile both thought that there was ho advantage in adding two small cottages'to tie Trustproperties/prlicularlyqnsuofi 1 a section'as the one, ''' ' • '-' •

The Chairman said he preferred to - see the matte held over for a fuller meoting. ' ' Mr Vile thought any. further delay would hardjy be fair 'to Mr Caselbertj. Hethought theTrastfl,eß as a body, would be ?u favour qf'the, surrender.

The Clerk pointed out'that such a : resolution ns proposed, would if canned, require confirmation at asubsequent meeting, A ' The motion was then carried, ■ ''•■■•■• TECHKICJIL education, Mr Daniell said with regard to the matter of technical education, he should like to have seen the'matter advanced a step further, but put 'pf oourtesy ! to their Chairman bo 'would give notice to move that the report submitted at last meeting be adopted and the reoommeudations carried out,.