MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8189, 25 July 1906, Page 5

MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

ORDINARY MEETING. The oidiaary mooting of the Masterton Borough Council whs held last evening. The Mayor presided, and thero were dlso present—Crs E. McEwen, E. Feist. J. C. Ewinfcton, E. G. Eton, W Morris, T. G. Hoar, F. W. Temjle, J. EUiott, and J. H. Pauline.

Mr C. D King waited on the Council and asked that aumethiug be dune to remedy the state of tbe footpath in Hogg Crescent. If the Council would not do anything, Mr King asked the Council's permission to be allowed to put some gravel on the footpath. Cr Eton mentioned that be had brought this mutter teforethe Council at a recent moating, and it was then.decided to act. iu tbe mutter.

The Mayofpromised Mr King that tbe matter would receive early attention.

Mr A. Fraser attended the meeting iu connection witb the clearing of tbe Makora Creek. He had used a rope to draw the willows from the stream by moans of a traction engine. He bought the iope himself, because the Ouucil had not one, and the rope had broken. He asked the Council to pay the cost of the rope, about £6. The Engineer said that the Council had made no arrangement with Mr Fruser regarding the supply of a rope. Mr Praser had been engaged at the rate of 30s per day for nine days. It WBS decided to pay Mr Praser the sum of £2 par day for the time he was engaged. Mr Praser agreed to this. The Trust Lands Trust wrote notifying the Council that the Trustees had granted £SO towards the Borough Library funds. The question of a grant towards the Park had been held over. A vote of thanks was aooorded the Trustees for their grant towards the Library.

A letter was received from the Trust Lands Trust stating that the Trustees were prepared to connect the Fire Brigade Station with the drainage sohemo provided the Council paid 5 per cent, of tuo cost. Regarding the drainage of the stables at the Station the Trustees did not care to go to any expense, as theie was no fixity of tenure of the property with the Council, and in cafe the Oounu'l gave up the property there was little probability of the stahlea being of any use to another tenant. It was resolved to to the Trustees' proposal, with regard to the Station, but the question of the stables was held over for future consideration.

Mi E. Loir wrote stating that be had been instructed by tha Borough Inspector to remove his fowlhouse from its present position. *, He nave particulars of the position of the fowlhouse, and contended that he could not better it. The matter was referred to the Inspector for a report.

Mr 0. E. Gray, of Christchurch, holder of a second-class engine driver's certificate, wrote applying for the position of traction engine driver for the Council. It was deoid«d to reply that the application would be considered when the Council required such a servant. Mr J. F. Feuwiok wrote applying to rent a paddock at the abattoir. It was deoided to reply that the paddocks were for the use of the butchers of Masterton. Mr Fenwjok also wrote applying to 'ease from year to year the gravel reserve at Kurupuni. He offered £1 10s per annum rent, and was prepare, if bis offer were accepted, to put the boundary fences in order. It was deoided to reply that the Council could not see its way to let it at present.

Mr W. King, of Newtown, Wellington, wrote stating that he had heard that the Council was about to establish a munioipal coal depot in Masterton and applying for the position of working manager. It was resolved to reply that the Counoil had no need for the writer's services at present. Mr A. Stempa wrote applying fur permission to use the Borough abattoir right-of-way for driving stock from his paddock to the abattoir. The application was granted. The Secretary of the Wairarapa Caledonian Society wrote stating that the Direotors"of the Society had decided to abandon cycle racing unless the Council "did something to improve the raoing track in the Park. The letter was referred to.thfl Park Committee.

An application was, made by Mr H. F. Lane, the Borough Aoooun,taut, for an increase of salary. It was decided to increase Mr Lane's salary to £175 per annum. A man, named Benjamin Ueeley, a resident of Manchester, England, who is apparently desirous of emigrating to New Zealand, wrote to the Couuoil as follows:-"Please excuse me taking the liberty of writing to you, but as 1 am desirous of coming out to New Zealand, I should like to know what prospect there is for one of my ability. I am a street mason by trade and I have at present about thirty miles of flagged footways to keep in repair. 1 have a practical knowledge of all Council work,, suoh as road construction, repair and maintenance, sewering and draining, and oan set out work. I should like to know if your roads are paved or are they macadam or is there any flagging or road-making being done. I am a total abstainer, and my age is 33 years. I enclose a copy of a testimonial from our road inspector, and I can produce others from my late employers. I should be union obliged if you would anflwer this letter." It was decided to give the writer the information required. The manager of the Masterton Borough Abuttoir wrote stating that Mr F. Staples, who intended to start a pork, butchery iu Masterton, had asked him whether he would be allowed to proouie sunplies of pigs' heads and trotters from Messrs Dimook and Co. of Wellington, for the manufacture of brawn, etc. for sale iu Masterton. The manager had informed Mr Staples that the conditions under which he would be allowed to do so must first be decided by the Borough Council. The meat would have to be forwarded in boxes or clean double sacks. With regard to fees, the charge at the Abattoir

for pigs was 2a 6d each; but this oharge included the cost of slaughtering, as well as for the use of the Abattoir. The manager considered 2a per pig would be a fair thing to allow for slaughtering, leaving 6d for the use of the Abattoir. The latter sum could bo charged for each set of heads or feet; but at the same time it would bo prohibitive. Seeing that only the head and feet of each pig would b9 sold in Masterton the Counoil would have to decide whether a reduction in tha fees could be made. The innuager referred the Council r to Seotioj 27 of "I'he Slaughtering and Inspection Act, 1900," for guidance. He added that Messrs Dimook and Co's. slaughterhouse was a meat export slaughterhouse, a'.d that all the piga killed there were carefully inspected and tha Inspector would place his stamp on eiob head intended for sal.) in Masterton. Mr Staples would ' lite to know as early as possiblo the conditions he had to comply with.

The Town Cleik reported that Mr Elliott had stated that he considered a dozen pigs' heads equal to one whole carcase, aud a dozeu trottei'a equal to one head, and be recommended the Council to charge accordingly. On the motion of Cr Ewington, the application of Mr Staples was granted, and the charges are to be madeXaccording to the manager's I suggestion.