CAMBRIDGE BOROUGH COUNCIL

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 327, 13 August 1898, Page 4

CAMBRIDGE BOROUGH COUNCIL

The usual monthly meeting of the above Council was held on Thursday evening in the Council Chamber at Cambridge. There were present: His Worship the Mayor (Mr A. Bach), Councillors T. Wells, G. E. Clark, R. Davies, H. Kerr, W. Escott and J. R. S. Richardson. The Mayor apologised for the absence of Cr. Ferguson, who was prevented from attending by sickness in his family. , Riley's Hill.—lt was resolved that the work be done under the supervision of the Ward members, with the assistance offered by Mr Kiley.-The Clerk said the place referred to was just at the corner of his paddock, and he should object to be left high aud dry on a hill some distance above the road; however, he would view the place with Mr Riley before the alterations were commenced. Albert-street. Cr. Wells moved that a contract be let to clear, plough and level Albert-street, from the foot of Duke-street hill to the creek, where such work is necessary.—Seconded by Cr. Davies.—Cr. Escott moved as an amendment that the street be ploughed and levelled, half a chain wide, opposite Mr Carr's residence only.-The amendment was not seconded and the motion was carried, Cr. Escott dissenting.. Advertising Photographs. The Mayor reported what had been done with the frames of photographs to be used for advertising the town. Several had been despatched to Rotorua, and His Worship mentioned the other places in which he thought they should be hunt; to attract the public. Hospital and Charitable Aid.-The Wairarapa North County Council asked the co-operation of the Council in petitioning Parliament to amend " The Hospitals, and Charitable Institutions Act, 1885 J" in such a way as to limit the Hospital districts to individual Counties and Boroughs, and make them responsible for the distribution of charitable aid in their own districts.—Cr. Wells asked if the Hospital charges and the charitable aid were kept separate in the Waikatc, and if so what was the relative proportion of the ene to the other.—The Mayor said the accounts were kept separate, but of course were put together to find what funds were required when levying the contributions. The charitable aid was a flea bite in comparison to the hospital charges.—Cr. Wells said he understood it was one of the most expensively managed institutions in the colonies.—The Mayor agreed, and said tne charges were getting larger year by year. The charitable aid for Cambridge was very little, but even if the Council had the distribution of it he did not think it would make any appreciable difference to what they would have to pay to the Hospital Board.—Cr. Kerr said if they had been in the Hospital as patients, as he had,, they would not think it the expensive institution they 'now did.—The communication was received. Kaimai Track.—ln response to a letter from the Tauranga County Council, the Mayor had written the Minister for Lands asking that a sum of money should be placed on the estimates for the completion of this track.—A reply had been received that, the request would be considered. Public Hall.—Mr Harry Ke.r wrote the Town Clerk as fo Hows :—I beg to make the following offer fur the Cambridge Public Hall, and will thank you to bring same before the Council' this evening, viz. :—" I offer to caretake and administer the Public Hall for five years or one yecir, as from Ist September next, paying'the Council £2O per annum, payable quarterly in advance ; hiring tariff not to exceed that now charged by the Council and all public meetings free, for which no charge is uow made. After one year this agreement to be terminated by either party, by three months' notice in writing. The property to be maintained clean and in such order, as will satisfy the Council."—After borne discussion Mr Kerr inbreased his offer to twenty guineas, the Council undertaking to pay the insurance on the building and furniture. —It was then resolved to grant Mr Kerr a five years' lease of the hall on the conditions named in his letter ; the Mayor and Cr. Wells being appointed to prepare the conditions. Financial Statemknt.—Overdraft at 14th July, £24 9s ; accounts since paid, £l2l 16s 5d ; amount lodged, £33 15s Id ; unpresented cheque, £2 2s ; present overdraft, £llO 8s 4d ; accounts to pass, £3O Is 7d ; overdraft when accounts are paid, £l4O 9s lid. The following was the list of accounts to be paid :—H. Preece, £6 12s ; W. Souter aud Co., £2 14s 2d ;P. Fogarty, £1 5s 6d ; Wattam and Co., £lB 13s 4d ; Turnbull, 16s 7d. Total, £3O Is 7d. Victoria Square.—Cr. Wells said the final payment for the improvements in Victoria Square had now been made, and he thought a statement of the expenditure should have been placed before the Council.—Cr. Escott said it should have been done as a matter of courtesy ; but he did not consider the Council had a right to demand such a statement.—Cr. Wells was obliged to Cr. Escott for having put it so nicely. There was un irresponsible Committee spending the public money, for he believed the ratepayers had found most of it, and when asked to give an account of their stewardship they do not say they will not do so ; but make a virture of it. —The Mayor said it would have been before theCouucil that evening if he had not been at the Hospital Board ; however, it should be presented at next meeting of the Council. Rents.—The Clerk was instructed to take ltgal proceedings against certain defaulting lessees. Hautapu Drainage Board.—Messrs N. 1. Hunt and Thornton Walker have been appointed assessors for the Hautapu Drainage Board. The time for holding the election of members of the Board has been extended to Saturday, 17th September, and the first meeting of the Board will be held the following Saturday.