MASTERTON MATTERS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXV, Issue 108, 8 May 1913, Page 8

MASTERTON MATTERS

[BY TELEGRAPH— SPECIAL TO THE POST.] MASTERTON, This Day. The first meeting of the new Borough Council was held last evening, the Mayor (Mr. J. M, Coradine) presiding. The council declined to endorse a resolution forwarded by the Woodville Borough Council urging the Government to introduce legislation to place a tax on motor-cars and motor-cycles, the proceeds to be expended by local bodies in maintaining and improving the roads. The opinion was expressed that the time is not ripe for such a step being taken. The old system of conducting the business of the council by means of sectional committees was reverted to after some discussion. The question has been discussed in the council on several occasions, and last year was thrown out. The four new councillors, who took their seats for the first time, voted for the system being reverted to and the motion was carried. The Mayor was the strongest opponent of the change. Works and Finance, Gas and Abattoirs, and Park and Library Committees were set up for the ensuing year. _ ' x The question of increasing the wages paid to borough employees was held over, as it was considered new councillors should have greater time to thoroughly study so important a question. The Mayor and Councillors Ewington and O'Leary were appointed to represent the toCmncil on the Masterton Fire Board. At the annual meeting of the Masterton branch of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, Mr. P< Donald (Chairman^ referred to the excellent work done by the brigade during the past year, and the great advantages being derived by those young people who took part in the ( classes during the winter months. He paid a special tribute to the work of iliss Gillespie, the lady superintendent, whose services were invaluable. Miss Gillespie was presented with several articles of handsome silverware, in token of the esteem in which she is held by the members of the brigade. The meeting was most enthusiastic, close on a hundred members being present, including a number from tho Carterton branch.

Notice of motion has been given by Councillor Findlay, of the Fetone Borough Council, for next Monday's meeting of the council as follows; — "That a return be laid upon the table for the use of the new council, showing (a) the amount of charitable aid given during the last twelve mon,ths to Petone residents j (b) the number of patients sent to the Wellington Hospital from Petone 5 (c) the number of those who have paid for their treatment ; (d) that we, as a council, consider that the incidence of taxation now used in levying rates for hospital and charitable „ aid purposes, as at present in vogue, is unfair to ratepayers, tending to high rents, and enabling single men to go untaxed, and that we, as a council, consider this duty should be a national affair." Messrs. Miller and Rutter insert an. advertisement in this issue offering for | sale residential properly, Hutaitai ; also 37fa-acre farm, Feilding, for exchange for oity-*>£ hotel propel.