HAMILTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Waikato Argus, Volume II, Issue 133, 13 May 1897, Page 3

HAMILTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

TllK usual monthly meeting of the Hamilton Borough Council was held in the Council ( handlers, on Tuesday evening. There were present :—His Worship the Mayor (Mr Win. Dey) and Crs. IT. Tristiam, Jno. Bettley, Wm. Crawford, Win. Jones, (.'has. Tippin, Tlios. Sladc, K.J. Gwynneaud R. F. Saudis.

Government Grant.--The Cleik repo ted that although a good de'll of lonespondeece had taken place let ween the Council and the Land Department re the £lO7 balance of theUovernmcnt grant towards the work at the Hamilton Tr.illie Bridge, cs yit no money was forthcoming. Guavi'L.— Mr E. L Hope applied for leave to take half a-dozen loads of gravel from the Council's pit near the Hamilton East police station.- Granted sul.jict to usual conditions.

FOST-OFFICK ACCOMMODATION. rep y to the resolution passed at a late meeting and forwa - ded to the Post an 1 Telegraph authorities in Wellington, with reference to improved post and telegraph accommodation at Hamilton, Mr Gray wrjtc stating that the matter would reciive the attention of the Go vernnunt when the estimates for 1897-98 were being considered. Rbsmnatiox.—Mr Chas. Martelli forwarded his resignation as pouodkeeper, ranger and dog registrar to the Borough of Hamilton. The resignation was accepted, and it was decided to call fo • fiesh applications for tin above men tioned position?. Licensing Poll.—Mr Thos. Kirk, Re turning Officer for the Waikato Licensing district, forwarded a statement of the expenses incurred in taking the late licensing poll, amounting to £96 19i 8d He also sent in a list of the licensed houses in the district, the fees from whieli amounted to £6lO yearly. Foreman's Rkvort. -The report ot the Foreman of Works was read and received.

Pound keeper's Report.—The poundkeeper's report for the month showed that one cow and four horses had been impounded, leaving a balance of Is Gd in favour of the Council.

Petition.—Cr. Bettley here stated that he had a petition signed by about 90 burgesses which referred to his notice of motioH which he would like to picsent, and he asked that the matter might remain over until his notice of motion referring to the advertising came forward.—His Worship said according to the standing orders no petition could be discussed on the night on which it was received.—Cr. Bettley moved and Cr. Jones seconded that the petition should be received.—The motion was carried unanimously, and the petition was placed on the table of the Council.

Ratk.— Notice of motion was given by Cr. Saudes that a rate of Is 3d on all rate able property should be struck within the borough—a borough rate of Is, a hospital and charitable aid rate of 2d, and a library rate of Id.—The Chairman seconded the proposition.—Cr. Tristram moved as an amendment that the rate ie one shilling ; he said they were in a fair way now of reducing the overdraft, and should c;o m for retrenchment instead of adding to it by erecting new buildings, etc. He thought one shilling in the pound was quite enough, and moved an amendment to that efTojt.— Cr. Tippiu, who seconded the amendment, contended that one shilling was ample, and if they did not contemplate spending £IOO on a library a shilling rate would be sufficient. —Cr. Bettley warmly supported the library pivjec f , but thought the expenditure of tic Council could be curtai'ed in other nays so as to keep the rate at one shilling.— Cr. Jones did not think one shilling ii the pound would be enough to meet an overdraft of £SOO and £SO interest. He was not anxious to increase the ra'e, but did not see how else it could be managed.—Cr. Sandcs said that in moving that the rate should be Is 3d, the question of the library never entered his head. He had always advocated that the charitable aid rate should be separate, and that the one shilling should be kept for road works.—On the amendment being put the voting resulted as follows :■— For : Crs. Slade, Crawford, Bettley, Tristram and Tippiu. Against : His Worship the Mayor, and Crs. Gwynne, Sandes and Jones. The voting on the motion was vice versa, and the amendment was declared carried. Accounts. —The following accounts were passed for payment: -Thos. Jones, £49 10s lid ; W. Andrew, 12i; Waipa County Council, £32 3s; Gas Company, £5 5s 5 C.Martelli, £3 19i 2d ; J.'. W. Maunder, £2 15s ; J. Devitt, £1 12s (id. Advertising.—ln accordance with his notice of motion Cr. Bettley moved that the resolution re advertising on the Council minute book No. 4 be rescinded. In doing so he said his object was chiefly to clear the way so that the Council should have an opportunity of calling for tenders for the printing and advertising. That opportunity now presented itself, and should be embraced. They had now two papers in the place, and everyone who had the welfare of the place at heart would hail that with delight. The matter had been already discussed pretty freely and he thought they could not do better than appreciate the new industry which had come into life amongst them, and he hoped the papers would continue to publish for many } ears.—Or. Jones seconded the motion pro forma. He d d not think it would be wise to hae tendering—his idei was to divide the work between the papers, and he was not prepared to go further than that.--Cr. Tristram also thought the work should be equally divided.—Cr. Bettley said the petition he presented was signed by 90 burgesses who supported his contention, and the Crs. would not be doing their duty to the ratepayers unless they considered this petition in conjunction with this motion —His Worship then put the motion, *hich was lost, only the mover, seconder and Cr. Tristram supporting it.

Lami'h, —Cr. Tristram, in accordance with notice of motion given at last meeti'.-g, moved that the lamps at piesent at tlie corner of Anglo-ea and Clarence-streets in Hamilton West, and in front of Mr (Jardiocr's, in Hamilton East, should be removed, and the resolution of the Council amended accordingly. This would save £lO 10s a year, and if they made a few reductions ol this sort instead of increasing the rate they should lie enabled to reduce if,—The motion failed to find a seconder and therefore lapsed. The Recokd Rkicn\ - Cr. Gwynnc asked if the Council had any intention of doing anything in order to celebrate the Queen's Record Reign, He asked if it was the intention of the Mayor to call a public meeting.—His Worship said as far as he knew the Council had taken no steps in the mat'er.— Cr. Detth-y agreed with Cr. Gwynnc that something should be done, and thought it would be most fitting if a water supply were in itigurated in order to commemorate such on event. As a loyal subject he wou'cl support it on such an auspicious oecas on,—He moved that Crs. Uwynne, Sandes ami the mover should enquire into (he scheme of a wjtcr supply for Handlton and report at a future meeting.—Uis Worship seconded tin: motion. Cr. S'judes was strongly in favour of a watersupply, and said he ha I brought the matter forward once before. He did not see how they could obtain any particulars about such a scheme unless they were empowered to spend money, For £2O Mr 11. Metcalfe would not only provide them with a scheme, br.t give , them full particulars, including cost of maintenance. —Cr. Tristram thought it would be easy enough to raise L"-0. Why not give a hall.—Owing to the adverse criticism which ftdlowcd, Cr. Bettley withdrew his motion, and the matter lapsed. liiosk La Mi's.-- Cr. Tristram said he understood from Cr. Jones' remarks and the desire to btukc enquiry

that til're was sou'ething shady in the r-reetmn of a lamp in front of Gardiner's, in Hamilton Kant, lie had gathered as much from this remark!* of one of the Councillors, and lie asked to have the minute hearing upon tin; question rail. —His Worship said if there was anything ".shady" about the transaction it would he shown in the minute hook, and the o'eik was instructed to n oduce the iiiinutc at next meeting.