CAMBRIDGE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Waikato Argus, Volume IX, Issue 721, 6 August 1900, Page 4

CAMBRIDGE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

A SPECIAI meeting of the above was held last Friday to receive the report of the committee appointed to report upon the mutter of providing accommodation for the Couucil in the future -.—There were present :—His Worship the Mayor (Mr W. F. Auckland), Cts. Arnold, Boycc, Carr, Clark, Da vies, Ferguson, Eowe, 'Richardson and Wells, the full Council. The report of the committee was submitted. It was as follows :—" That this committee recommends the CoudcH to provide accommodation by an annex to the Public Hall at a coat of say £SS, with a strong room to cost, say £25." I" Committee this had teen carried by four to one, the voting beiDg : For the proposal, The Mayor, Cra. .Boyce, Clark and Wells. Against, Cr. Ferguson. The Mayor moved, and Cr. Clark seconded, that the report of the committee be adopted. Cr. Ferguson moved as an amendment: That a new office be built on the old site at a cost of £2lO. He said he believed in refraining from boirowing if possible, but an extraordinary uccident had happened, and he considered they would by justified, under the circumstances, in borrowing a moderate amount to erect a decent building. He felt sure his amendment would be supported by a good majority of the Council, and he also thought that a very large majority of the ratepayers would support his amendment. He trusted they would erect a building that would be a credit to the town and at the same time be comfortable for their officers and themselves. They vacated comfortable rooms when they left home to attend to the business of the ratepayers. He hoped a pretty building would be erected, the adjoining ground being fenced and converted into a garden, and then the town would be improved. The Mayor asked how Cr. Ferguson intended raising the money ? The reply >vas that there was £llO insurance money, and the other £IOO could be raised by an increase of the overdraft. Cr. Davies seconded the amendment, and in doing so said he knew he was carrying out the wishes of the ratepayers, for he had consulted a number of them. The Mayor ruled that a portion of Cr. Ferguson's amendment was not in order, namely, that portion referring to the amount to be expended, as the business was to consider the report of the committee only. Cr. Richardson asked' why it was attempted to remove the office to a new Bite? \ . ,• Cr. Wells said it was because the money was not sufficient to put up a building on the old site without trenching on the funds of the Council. They had not sufficient to do their roads, but with the insurance money they could put a lean-to on the Public Hall that would answer their purpose for years to come, and until they could build proper offices. It was not what he liked, but iu tha present state of their finances he should certainly vote for this beiug. done. Cr. Boyce said he had been in favour of-the scheme propounded by the committee on the score of economy, but when he found out what the feeling of the ratepayers was he altered his opinion. There!, was a great outcry ns soon as it was known the committee recommended the removal of the office from the old site, and he should now do his utmost to have it replaced there. If the ratepayers were willing to'increase the overdraft to build tt good office that would be a credit to the town they should be allowed to have their own way. He never liked the idea of a lean-to at the back of the hall. - . ' , ">

Or. Clark said he still in the report of the committee and should support it. He did riot believe the ratepayers wanted to provide them with'a palatial office, cushioned chairs, etc., such aB they would leave in the drawing rooms, while they had not sufficient to spend on their roads. The Mayor said, they could never make their office look well on the old site as long as the saleyards were so adjacent; but it was pointed out that these would probably have to be moved in the course of a few years. The amendment was then pub and carried by 7 to 3. On its being put as substantive motion, Cr, Wells moved an amendment: " That whilst the Borough finances are in their present depleted condition, and so many streets in urgent need of formation and repairs,' it is the manifest duty of the Council to spend no unnecessary money in building otFces; and further that the sum to be expended for office accommodation be.limited to the amount received by way of insurance on our late building." Cr. Wells said he wished to place on record his opinion ; and as to his being selfish, he had lived in the town for 23 years and the ratepayers should known whether he was inclined that way. Cr, Clark seconded the amendment. He did not care what the man in the street said about the matter, he should exercise his own judgment, and if his constituents were not satisfied with him they knew wh i t to do. The Mayor said if he paid attention lo what every ratepayer said to him, and did not exerciso his own judgement, his life would be hardly worth living, for every day someone was wanting something done., The amendment proposed by Cr. Wells was then put and lost by 7 to 2, after which the motion was carried. Cr. Howe then moved that the Mayor, Crs. Wells and Fergusou be appointed a committee to procure plans and estimates of a building, # and submit same to the Council at its next ordinary meeting.— This was seconded aud carried unanimously.