BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 100, 5 March 1879, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the above Council was held in' ■ the Council- Chambers, yesterday evening. Present His Worship the.Mayor, in the chair, and Crs Feist, Gapper, Gray, McCardle, Russell, Vile, and Woodroofe.' MINUTES, The minutes of the previous meeting 1 were read and confirmed, CORRESPONDENCE. The Town Clerk laid on the table the' report of the Wellington, City valuation. The following letters were read ■ From Messrs Sellar and Hales in reply, to circular re storage of explosives,' From tho collector of customs. ■ REPORTS. Tiie following report was received from the Finance Committee, and adopted on the motion of Cr Vile, seconded by Cr Russell The Finance Committee met at the Council Chambers on Tuesday at 6.30 p.m. (adjourned from Monday.) Present: The Mayor, Cr*Feist and Gray. The following accounts were examined and dealt with:—M. Caselbcrg & Co,, £2los3d, referred to the Town Clark to obtain particular? ; G. Button, wages, £l4 10s; C. Mcltillop, cartage, £sl9s fl.jd; G. Hutton, night work, £110s; J.Williams, stationery, os 6(1; Bowry & King, £4 4s 8(1, recommended to be paid on being certified to by the overseer, ; Letter from tho Treasury was received and read, re subsidy being paid at once. The Bank Book was produced shewing payment of' £4O to the Borough" Fund account for auctioneer's license, leaving the overdraft £77G 8s 2d. The Town Clerk then read tho following report of the Night Watchman on tho late Fire :

Borough of Masterton, March 4,1870: GestLbmus,—l beg to report to you that oil Tuesday morning, March 4, at about a quarter to 2 a,m. I was on duty as nightwatchman in the town o! Masterton. I was near the Presbyterian Church when I first saw the 1 light. I was hastening towards the fire when soino ono shouted firo near the Club Hotel, I immediately gave the alarm. Tho fire was buroin» in the new building known as Mr DMrymple's offices! I was in company witli the night porter from the Empire Hotel opposite the same place where the firo bi'olte' out about; ten iininutes or a quarter of an hour previous to the time when the fire was.first seen. When I first saw tlio light of the lire I could not say that it was a fire in the town, When I first saw it, it had the resemblance of a bush (Ire. Your obedient, servant, - • J. C. Ingham, ■ , Night Watchman.

Cr Renall, on behalf of the Public Works Committee, verbally reported as to Hall Street, stating that it would be necessary to call for tenders for metalling the road.

The Mayor expressed his opinion as to the advisability of the Public Works Committee bringing.up a formal and comprehensive report at the next meeting, in which should be embodied a general scheme of public works for the .ensuing winter.

Cr Russell verbally reported that lie had approved of a plan submitted by Mrs Hounslow for a cottage in Chapel-street, the building regulations having been'complied with. THE LATE FIRE. Cr Vile brought under tlio notice of the Council the claims of several persons to fair remuneration for their services in. connection with the fire, and moved that a sum of £lO be presented out of . the Borough funds to the Masterton Yolimteer Fire Brigade. The motion was seconded by Cr Renall. A slight discussion ensued as to the legality of tlio proposed vote. Ultimately Cr Woodvoofe moved as an amendment that the matter stand over for consideration at the next meeting of the Council. Cr Russell seconded the amendment pro forma. Nearly all the Crs addressed the chair on the question, there being a complete unanimity of feeling as to the meritorious conduct of those who worked in subduing the conflagration, Cr Feist gave information as to the mode in which the Insurance Companies rewarded for salvage, and would support the amendment, deprecating undue haste in the matter, and suggested that the Council would do well to subsidize the Brigade in a fixed amount, rather than make a special grant on every occasion, His Worship endorsed the views of the last speaker, Crs Vile and Renall expressed themselves as satisfied with the amendment, and Cr Gapper having spoken to the question, the amendment was put and carried. FIRE INSrEOTOR. Cr Vile then brought under consideration the question of the appointment of a Fire Inspector under the Act, and pointed out the advantages which might be expected to result from that step. There appeared to be no objection to the office being held by a Councillor arid he would be glad to see Cr Gapper in the position. He gave notice of his intention to move on the subject at the next meeting of the Council. FIRE POLICE. Cr McCardle urged the desirability of of establishing a Company of Fire Police, and moved that the Fire. Brigade be recommended to take steps for the organization of such a body, Cr Renall seconded the motion, on the understanding that "it was: riot.' to i cost the Council anything," He referred to the mischief arising from an absence of organization, and thought thatsuch abody ■SMI

, WATER StJPPIfV. ' ; 1 Cr Gapper gave notice of liia intention; to movo oil this! subject ; at tlio next [riieet-. ing of the Council.' ' f: s j; Some amusement was here caused by a. motion for adjournment -upon which;a, division was ultimately taken, the .motion' being last. .

•Cr. McCavdle reminded the Council that there was a notice of motion standing in the'iiame of CrMiussellj havingreference to a testimonial to the late Mayor. Cr. Russell disclaimed having tabled any such notice,, but signified his intention of doing so forthwith. ' ,

, A spniowhat animated; discussion, followed as to the"procedure with regard to notices of motion, in which the Mayor and Crs. Renall. and Gapper : took.part, his Worship ruling that it was not necessary to givelwritten notice of motion until two days before the next meeting of the Council - ! ' •' BUILDING REGULATIONS. ' ' ' Cr. Vile tabled a notice of motion with regard to, the revision, of the .building regulations. - f ; • ADJOURNMENT, After several abortive attempts to adjourn. the. Council, the same ultimately adjourned on the proposition of Cr. Renall, at half-past 8 o'clock!