CAMBRIDGE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 354, 15 October 1898, Page 4

CAMBRIDGE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The above Council met on Thursday. Present: His Worship the Mayor (Mr Each). Crs. Escott, Arnold, Clark, Kerr and Ferguson.— The Cleric apologised for the absence of Cr. Davies.

Borough Kndowments. —A letter, that had been deferred from the previous meeting, from Mr James Webber was read. In it he asked, as executor of the late Jameß Meredith, to be relieved of certain sections leased from the Borough by the deceased, on the rent being paid up. —It consists of seven acres : three on the Thornton road and four in Vogelstreet.—The former he was paying 9s 6d per acre for, and the latter 15s —Cr. Escott moved, "That the Council accept surrender of the seven acres on the rent being paid up to the next quarterday, 10th November."—Seconded by Cr. Arnold and carried.—Cr. Escott thought the Council should, take steps to have the sections leased on a somewhat similar system to the Government perpetual leasiug system ; or that they should be let tor a lengthy term, with the power to have them re-valued periodically. Be was of the opinion that the Council should induce tenants to build upon the endowments, and if some such scheme as he had suggested were adopted, he did not doubt but that many would do so.— Cr. Clark thought if they could get 15s per acre it was a fair rent, aud the Council should accept a tenant for 21 years at that rate.—Considerable discussion ensued, and finally Cr. Escott moved, "That the re-leasing of the sections be referred to the legal and finance committee with the mover, to reoort at the next meeting on a scheme for leasing Borough lands, subject to revaluation for ground rent on its improved value."—Seconded by Cr. Arnold and carried.—David Stuart wrote: " Unless you can meet me with some reduction in rent, which you know I can't possibly pay, and all the members know what is a fair rent. If you will take the paddock off my hands I will put it in good order and try to meet you."—The Mayor said Stuart had verbally offered to pay £5 of the back rent.—lt was moved by Cr. Clark and seconded by Cr. Kerr, " That on receipt of £5 within a month, the Council accept surrender of D. Stuart's lease, and that, failing the payment being made within the stipulated time, proceedings be taken forthwith.— Curried.

Thk Burgess Roll.—The following applied to have their names put' upon the Burgess Roll for properties they occupied or had purchased : W. T. Uarr, W. Little, J. H. Edwards, Archibald Wallace, A. A. Smith.—The whole of them were ordered to be put upon the Roll.

Correspondence.—The following communications were received :—A circular about opening up new markets for colonial produce, from the Wairarapa Standard ; another from the Ohineinuri County Clerk re Municipal Franchise reform ; a letter from Mr Snewin, of Te Aroha, re hanging a frame of Cambridge photographs in the Te Aroha Readingroom (which had been attended to); and a letter from J, Wilson and Co., of Auckland, re concrete kerbing.—The last-mentioned suggested the Council should send samples of Cambridge grave! to be tried in Auckland, but the Council thought it could be tried equally as well in the Borough. Financial Statement. —Overdraft at Bth September, £lls lis 5d ; accounts since paid, £IS 17s Id ; amount lodged, £23 8s 9d ; present overdraft. £llO 19s 9d : accounts to pass, £53 18s 2d ; overdraft when accounts are paid, £164 17s lid.

Accounts.—The following was the list of accounts passed for payment: —T. Wattam, £ls 4s 2d ; H. Preece, £8 5s ; T. Hartly, £l7 Gs; 15. Lockley, Ss; M. Stewart, 10s; petty cash, £3; J. S. Bond, £3 5s ; C. Crouch, £4 7s Gd ; C. Adams, 7s 6d; S. Fletcher, £1; R. Brockelsby, 4s; J. Webber, 3s; total, £53 18s 2d.—C. Crouch's account was ordered to be held over until the woik had been further examined, several councillors contending that the contract had not been completed. Works.—The >vorks report stated that a meeting had been held and the drain near Mr Arnold's, which was supposed to be stopped, had been attended to by the surfaceman and the sump had been re-built. The Inspector of Telegraphs had also been written to, asking if he would cause the line of wires to be deviated at the foot of Victoria-street so that an ornamental shelter tree near the Public Hall need not be interfered with.

Footpaths. The footpath on the southern side of Alpha-street, from Dick to Bryce-streets, was ordered to be pared and levelled by the surfaceman. Victoria Square.—The Mayor drew attention to the fact that portions of the fence round Victoria Square were being destroyed by fungus, and he suggested that the dead fence should be removed and that a small portion of the live fence on either side of the dead parts should also be cleared away to endeavour to stop the spread of the fungus. He thought it would be well to erect a substantial post and wire fence, re-hang the gates on the eastern side, and do away with the one on the western.—(Jr. Escott. suggested the gates on the eastern side should be moved higher up, a 9 the running track came clo3e to them.—The Mayor thought they were in the right place, and said it was the only place were a dray could enter on the level, and to move them would entail cutting away a portion of the live fence.—On the motion of Cr. Clark, seconded by Cr. Escott, the matter was referred to the Works Committee to attend to.

Furze—The Mayor reported he had nearly completed an inspection of the whole of the streets, and when he had done so a list of all sections opposite which furze was growing would be prepared, and notices to clear the streets would be served on all owners who were liable ; and. if they did not comply with the law, the Council would do the work and proceed against such owners for the recovery of the cost of the labour. Me sai-1 Williamson-street was very bad, and it would really be a hardship on some of the owners in that street, as they had cleared it several time.-! and the Council had not done auythiug to it to make it passable for wheeled traffic.—lt was resolved to enforce the law regarding tins matter, and the clerk was instructed to serve the notices, and, failing their being complied with, to get the work done and charge the owners with the cost. Mayoral Election.—The Returning Officer was instructed to take the necessary steps for the election ol a Mayor for the ensuing twelve months.—The Mayor said he believed the Government intended, if possible, getting the Municipal Reform Bill pasted in time for the Mayoral elections Bicycles on Footpaths.—Attention was drawn to the fact that it was becoming the fashion for bicyclists to ride on the footpaths, and also to ride along the roids at night without lights.—The Mayor said be had heard that the police constable hid told t-ome of the lady bicyclists they could ride along the footpaths provided no pedestrians were on it at the .same time.—The Clerk said he had heard a similar rumour.— Cr. Kensaid it was very dangerous riding at uiyhts without lights. A night or two previous there was very nearly a serious accident opposite his place through bicyclists not carrying lights.—After some discussion, in which all agreed it was time the bicyclists, both male and female, were taught better than to ride upon footpaths, it was unanimously agreed that the clerk be instructed to take proceedings against anyone riding along the footpaths of the Boiough, or riding at night without cat tying a light.—The meeting then terminated.