Greytown Borough Council

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 2002, 8 December 1886, Page 2

Greytown Borough Council

This Council met at the Borongh Chambers on Monday night. His Worship the Mayor, P. H, Wood Esq., in the chair, Crs Maxton, Trotter, Cotter, Cameron, St George, Varnham and Dr Smith. The Clerk read the minutes of the former meeting, which were confirmed. Correspondence. Correspondence outwards was read, including an .‘announcement to the River Board that the Committee appointed had decided to divide the £34 compensation claimed far fencing, &0., between the two parties interested, viz., Mr J. Fuller and the trustees in the late Mr Gallagher’s estate. Correspondence inwards was read, consisting of statistics of N.Z. Borough, 1886; cony of audits of Borough ac:c ints from Auditor General ; from Clerk Wairarapa West County Council re propos bridge at Matarawa, explaining also that under the Act the interest would amount to £6O per year for 26 years; after then no further payments would be required ; also forwarding plans of said bridge, which the Borough Council was asked to forward to Mr A. Gallon, of Matarawa, after holding for one month. From Mr Coleman Phillips, urging the Borough Council to assist all in their power towards facilitating the building of the pros posed bridge, and also urging that the Council should take steps to get a road through to Waihakeke.

From Masterton Borough Council, announcing the election of Mr G. Beetham, as member of the District Hospital Board for the combined boroughs (Masterton and Greytown.)

Mb Coleman Phillips’ Letter. The Mayor in referring to Mr C. Phillips’ letter said that the spirit of the letter was good, but some of the suggestions were rather erratic ; he was satisfied that the Borough Council possessed sufficient energy to further the progress of the proposed new bridge between Matarawa and Greytown, but he did not think they possessed sufficient energy to go out of their way to push on a road between Greytown and Waihakeke; he thought that |hat was more of a question for the settlers in that direction ; be imagined that the money for which the Borough Council became responsible should’be spent in the interest of the Borough alone. So far as the Matarawa bridge was concerned, be thought every effort should be made by the residents of Greytown to have the bridge constructed without delay, and he took it for granted that everyone interested would feel anxious to carry out the project.

Cr Cotter said he did not wish to throw cold water over the project, bat as the bridge would alone cost £1250, and another earn of £SOO would be required to .make a road to the bridge, he imagined as it wonld be rather an expensive matter, that would require grave consideration.

Cr St George said he would like to ask the opinion of the ratepayers in the matter. The Mayor said that the Clerk to the County Council had assured him that the Matarawa people were all anxious to get the work carried out as soon as possible.

Cr Cotter said he would like to move that Mr Skeet be employed to ascertain the cost of a road. Cr Varhham seconded. Cr Cameron said he would like to take a poll of the ratepayers on the subject. The Mayor said it would be absolutely necessary to have a poll before the Borough would be in a position to borrow money, but in the meantime they would be acting wisely in getting as much information as possible ; if the project was a feasiblelone, they would doubtless secure the approbation of the ratepayers, and if the Council borrowed about £IOOO the bridge would surely return good interest upon the amount.

Cr Cotter’s proposition was put and carried.

The Mayor suggested that the plans be at once forwarded to Mr Gallon in lieu of lying on the Borough Council for one mouth. Agreed to. Report The report of the joint committee appointed by the Borough Council and the Waiohine River Board was read, re compensation to be equally divided between claimant: tor fencing, &c., north of Greytown, as soon as loaaeasian of the laud wae obtained, and th sport was adopted. The Works Committee’s report was read, and, on the motion ,of Or Yarnham, seconded by Cr Cotter, adopted. The Finance Committee’s report (showing a overdraft of £93 12s lid) was read, and, on the motion of Cl Yarnham seconded by Cr Maxton, adopted. The Ranger reported having impounded six head of cattle during the mouth. Cr Cameron asked what steps had been taken towards the building of the Fowhata bridge at Fapawai. The clerk replied that theoontraot was now signed, and the work should be finished within six weeks.

Cr Cotter said he would like to be informed what proceedings had been taken in the way of collecting the rates. The Mayor said that active measures had been recently taken and fifteen summonses had been served. Street Lamps. The Mayor said he had read a lector in the Wairaiupa Standard complaining of the gloomy state of the Greytown streets of late on account of the contract for lighting having matured. The individual who had so happily drawn the attention of tho Council to the ni‘;I f ar bad made some liberal proposals; he' certainly himself that tenders should be called for 12 lighting instead of nine as usual. Cr Cotter thought the proposal a mo t necessary one ; he had been compelled to attend meetings recently and found the town in great darkness. Cr St George thought the lam t M required much attention in the way of oleaui.g, ; he instanced the excellent light shed by the liuo lamp at Fabian’s Club Hotel. Cr Cameron said he would like to suggest that the Council get better burners. Fabian’s lamp bad good burners. Cr Smith proposed, and Or Maxton seooo. ded, that a committee, consisting of On Cameron, Udy, Cotter, and the mover be appointed to consider the question of lighting. Or Ddy asked if the committee would consider gas or kerosene. Cr Smith said the present lighting of the Borough was a mere farce and a committee was very necessary to report upon the state of the present lighting of the Borough. Something tangible waerequired to act upon.

The Mayor said be was anxious to sea the town well lighted. The motion was carried. Or Cameron spoke about the gersa nui» sauce, and the clack said notices had bagß served. 'The Council then adjourned.'