MASTERTON NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 837, 8 June 1910, Page 3

MASTERTON NOTES.

MAURICEVILLE CLAY DEPOSITS. CHANCES OP WORKING THEM. (From Oui> Spccial Correspondent.) Masterton, Juno 7. Mr. Connell, who has been endeavouring to float a company to work, the clay deposits at Mauriccville, informs tho writer that it is not improbable that a syndicate of three or four will be formed to take the responsibility, of establishing the brick and tilo industry. The clay, of which there is an extensive supply in tho district, contains some valuable mineral including a fair proportion of aluminium. In appearance it is not unlike papa, but its constituents are very different. Some • samples of tiles,, briquettes, and pipes, which were exhibited in the office-of Messrs. Donald and Sons, would compare with anything to be .'foundin tho Dominion. One gentleman is so'sanguine of the prospects of the ' industry that he has offered to put «£IOOO into the business. , The Y.M.C.A. are making strenuous efforts to establish an up-to-date gymnasium in connection with their institution.' A sufficiency of money has. already been .provided for tho purpose. In this connection it may bo mentioned that thero is already a gymnasium, with modern equipment, in close proximity to the rooms, of the Y.M.C.A., and it has been suggested that these might v be secured, on favourable terms.

Parliamentary Society. The weekly session of the Masterton Parliamentary Society was held last evening, when an interesting debate took place on the "Land Bill" introduced by the "Prime Minister." . The various aspects, of the land question- were freely discussed, tho majority of the speakers showing an unmistakable bias in favour of tho freehold tenure. The debate will be resumed next weeki Mr. Hornsby ("Speaker") congratulated the members who - had spoken upon tho intelligent manner in which they had dealt with the subject, and stated that some of the speeches, would have done credit to members of another Assembly. The society has been challenged to a,debate, by the Y-M.C.A. Debating Society of Wellington. The challenge has been accepted, and the debate will probably take place in the Empire City on the ..last Friday in tho month. Thq land question or compulsory military training have been suggested, as subjects for debate.. Tlie Masterton Ama.teur Operatic Society has been assiduously rehearsing j the opera, "Pirates of Penzance," which j is to be staged on July 19 and 20. | Municipal. . The Works Committee of the Masterton ,'Borough Council met this evening, the .Mayor (Mr. Coradine) presiding. Tho Municipal Association notified that the' annual conference would bo held in Wellington on July 4, Although the council is forwarding no remits, tlie Mayor was appointed delegate to the conference. The town clerk reported, that six auctioneers'. licenses, had been issued, ns against > v seven during the previous year; 25 carriage licenses had been issued, as against 21 in 1909; 26 drivers were plying for hire, against 28; and 21 express carts mid lorries were plying, as against 2fl. 1 Fifty-five new buildings, or addition to buildings, had .■been'erected,' which represented, on the stated value of the build-I ings,-a sum of \£IG,GOS Is. Gd., ns against I 58 permits,, valued at X 18,757 in the pre- ' vious.-year. There were two ; plumbers practising -in the borough, as against eight in 1909-10,• and four drainlayers, as against four. ' Sixty-nine .drainage permits had been issued as compared with 99, and 47 water connections were made this year, as;.compared \yith 68. Five billiard-rooms had- been licensed, as against four; No licences for the sale of liquor had'.beeji issued, as against ten last year. It was reported that the secc-r.d assistant at the abattoirs had resigned,, and the manager !was authorised to.-fill the vacancy. The abattoirs manager reported that 171 cattle/6 calces, 756 and 565 pigs had been slaughtered durilig'tho month. - In the course of discussion on tlie question of issuing cahdrivers' licenses, the Mayor expressed the opinion liiat these licenses should bo issued through the Justice Department., instead of through the. local authorities. Councillor Temple again urged that portion of the road maintenance • grant should be set aside for tarring, and asto asphalting footpaths; ,he suggested thut a start should be made, with the asphalting on,one «side of the Worksop Road or Bannister Street. Councillor Morris opposed such a proposition, on. the ground that the roads in the outlying parts of the town.required attention.. The.Mayor thought the principle of attending to streets as suggested ..by Councillor Temple a good one. Councillor Pauling also approved the idea, and it was decided to obta.in ; a 'report from the Councillor Prentice asked what steps wero'being taken to raise tho money required for. ? tho council's shar-e of the norijiern approaches to the town. The Mayor promised to investigato tho position, and make a'statement to the ordinary meeting. of the council.! In answer to Councillorl Rigg, the Mayor stated that nothing. definite had yet been done in retraTd lo the extension "of Essex Street. He thought the proposed l extension in tho interest of the-town.