CAMBRIDGE BOROUGH COUNCIL

Waikato Argus, Volume XV, Issue 6033, 1 August 1903, Page 2

CAMBRIDGE BOROUGH COUNCIL

TnK monthly meeting of this Council was held on Thursday evening, when there were present:—Flis Worship the Mayor (Mr Thos. Wells), and Councillors Clark, Davies, Dickenson, Sanders and Wilkinson. The Levels of tee Streets—Mrs M. T. Murphy wrote asking to be supplied with the levels of Victoria, Alpha, and Brewery Streets adjoining her propetty, as she intended building upon it. She also notified the Council that, failing being supplied with such leveh, she would hold the Council liable for any damage that may be done to her property in fu'uie years through the present levels being altered.—The Clerk was instructed to reply that the Conn cl had not yet cot the level?,— The Mayor sai I it would cost hundreds of pounds to get the town property levelled. Tar.—The Hamilton «as Company notified the Council that the price of tar had now risen to 7d per gallon.—Messrs Souter and Co, offered to supply it at sd. Licensing Expenses.—The Tanranga County Council wrote demanding £l2 9s 6d for proportion of licensing expenses for the Bay of Plenty.—The Clerk pointed out that the Borough had not been iu that licensing district since Lst November, and therefore it was only liable for the period from Ist of April until the electoral districts were altered. lie was instructed to communicate with the Clerk of the County Council re the matter. Model By-laws.-Mr F. W. Lang, M. U.K., wrote stating that he bad interviewed the Colonial Secretary re the model by-laws the Government had promised to prepare, and he was informed that they were not yet before the Cabinet, but it was hoped they would be in about a fortnight.—These are anxiously being awaited by many Muuicipal Corporations, and particularly by the above Council, which is about to revise its existing ones. Shops and Offices Bill.—Mr Lang wired that he would attend before the Committee appointed to take evidence on this Bill. He had seen the Chairman of it, who staied they were now taking local evidence, and woull be glad to hear him in about three we^ks. QrjdEN AND HaLL-STRKRTS. Miss Badham wrote drawing attention to the bad state of the streets adjoining her property, and also that overhanging branches of some pine trees on Messrs Nathan and Co.'a property needed lopping.—The first matter was referred to the ward member, and the clerk was iDstruoted to issue notice for the trees to be lopped. Noxioc.s Weeds—Notices wore received from the Government to clear Council property on the banks of the Waikato aod Karapiro.—Referred to the Works Committee to report upon at next meeting. Altering Name of Street.—Several ratepayers petitioned the Counoil to alter the name of Brewery-street, believing that the name no longer applied, and that a more suitable designation could be found.—The Clerk said he believed the petition was not yet complete, as the name generally approved of had not been suggested.—The matter was referred to the Legal and Finance Committee to report upon to next meeting. The Domain Boaisd.- The Mayor had received a m tificatiou that a new Domain Board bad been constituted, consisting of the old members and Mr Henry James Greenslade in place of Mr Buckland.— The Mayor said he now sat on the Domain Board as Mayor of the Borough and not as a nominated member. That created a vacancy, and the Domain Board had written askiug the Government to appoint a gentleman who had plenty of leisure time and the inclination to assist the Board in looking after the 50 acres of garden and pleasure grounds, and see that they were kept in good order. This recommendation was entirely ignored, aod a gentleman was appointed to the position who had uo interest in the town and lived 11 miles away. Why this was doue he could not understand, as there were no political matters to discuss, but only matters pertaining to gardening.— Several Councillors spoke of the act as a disgraceful one ; and one member of the Council said it might bo intended as a reply to the Mayor's utterances at the Hamilton banquet to Mr Lang; but the appointment was calculated to do Mr Greenslade more harm than good.—Mr Sanders moved, and Mr Clark seconded : That this Council protests against the appointment of Mr Henry James Greenslade as a member of the Cambridge Domain Board, on the grounds that the Domain is entirely within the Borough, and that there are several burgesses who are able and willing to discharge the duties, while Mr Greenslade ret sides eleven miles away in another district, and has practically no connection whatever with the town of Cambridge.—The motion was unanimously agreed to, and it was duly forwarded to the Minister for Lands.—The Mayor said it was strange that when the Premier and Sir Joseph Ward were in Cambridge they appeared to be delighted with the Domain grounds, and both pro mised they would do all possible to assist the Board in any way they could, and they immediately ignored the Board's suggestions. The Pdblic Hall.—The Hall Committee reported that they had let the hall to Mr Hayes as a skating rink, and had removed the piano to the Couooil's office for safe keeping. They asked for further time to report upon the best method of utilising the hall, which was granted. Works Committee.—This committee reported that they had no recommendation to make rekerbing the lower end of Brewery-street,—The other part of tho report refers to the waterworks, which is dealt with in another column, > Financial Statemknt.—Overdiaft at 23rd June, £391 14s 5d ; accounts since paid, £2B 9s 5d ; amounts lodged, £92 8s 9d ; present overdraft, £327 15s Id ; accounts to pass, £127 4s 3d : overdraft when accounts are paid, £459 19s 4d.— The Finance Committee recommended that the resolution of the Council restricting the overdraft to £540 be rescinded, and that the limit be £Boo. This was agreed to.—The reason of this will be found on reference to the report re the waterworks. Fire Purposes.—Cr. Wilkinson reported he had interviewed Inspector Woolley at Auckland re hose etc., and the Auckland Brigade had a hose reel that could be purchased for about £l2. This sum was voted. —The Clerk reported that Messrs Souter and Co., had purchased a hydrant, 250 feet of hose and other necessary appliances for distinguishing fire, and had placed them in a cupboard at their store where the public could obtain admission at any time there should be a fire.—The Councillnrs spoke in terms of praise of the action of Messrs Souter and Co., in thus providing for the safety of other buildings in addition to their own. Water Trough.—lt was resolved to erect a water trough on the spare piece of land near Mr McComish's section on Thornton Road, when the dry weather sets in.

A Tribute of Respect.—The Mayor said since last meeting they had loßt one of their most able citizens, and one who had earned the respect of all ; for he believed there was not one in the whole district but respected the late Mr J. H. Priestley, and joined with his wife and daughter in mourning his loss. He then moved: That the Council place on rei cord its appreciarion of the valuable services rendered to the Borough by the late J. H. Priestley Esq.. B.A , in the positions of Councillor, Mayor, and Justice of the Peace. In all these offices he served with credit and distinction to himself and with benefit to the Borough. Further the Council tender to Mra and Miss Priestley ita

sympathy and condolence in their sad and irreparable loss.—The motion was snconded I y Cr. Hally and carried in silence, the Councillors standing.