HAMILTON TOWN BOARD.

Waikato Times, Volume VII, Issue 399, 3 December 1874, Page 2

HAMILTON TOWN BOARD.

j STORMY MEETING. , A mketixo of the Town Board was held at Gwynue's Hamilton Hotol on Tuesday last. It had been called to consider a certain petition, a copy of which 1 we subjoin :—: — Hamilton "West, October 5, 1874. To the Chairman of the West Hamilton Town Board : Sir,— We the undersigned ratepayers and cattle owners of Hamilton West, having to pay rates for our cattle running, think it very unjust that a portion of the town common and other reserves, with public roads, should be fenced in by piivato individuals for their own private use. Wo hope that your Board will take the matter into consideration, aud have them tin own open as soon as possible. And, likewise, we consider that cattle should not be allowed to run at large at night time, [Here followed the signatures.] Mr Knox said there was a minute on the books relating to the matter of reserves. t The minute was read stating that application had been made to open the town common to the public. Mr Morris saicLthere was no town commom. He could see that Mr Knox was inclined to cavil. They must proceed with the business. Mr Knox said he would not be put down by any member of that Board. There was a common, and it was inaccessible to the public. He would move that the obstructions be removed, and the oommon thrown open to the public. Mr Morris said he had been a member of the Town Board for 5 or 6 years, oft' and on, and he had yet to learn that there was a town common. It had not been gazetted. Mr Knox : Well, there is a map. Mr Morris : No !no ! A late member altered that map ; it is not correct. Mr Knox : I am surprised that such a statement should be made. The rest of the Board here joined in the altercation and a free fight appeared impending, when Mr Morris proposed as an amendment to Mr Knoxs proposition, " That the petitioner be informed that the Board would remove all obstructions to highways, but they had no control over waste landa," which was carried. Mr Morris said that Mr Knox was trying to get up a little excitement ; he was at his old games, and trying to make capital. Mr Knox replied that he defied the whole Board. Ho had beaten them before, and he was quite able to do it again. He could make use of Cummin's beer as well now as he had on a former occasion (Great confusion and cries of order ! order ! from the chairman, amid which Mr Knox was observed to be endeavouring to say something which was inaudible. ) As soon as order was restored, it was resolved "That Messrs Woods, Deegan, and Ripley, and others who had built houses on a road near the wharf be removed at once, and that the necessary steps be taken to carry out the resolution." Some further business was done, the transaction of which was repeatedly interrupted by altercation (the chairman on two occasions being compelled to leave the chair), and the meeting separated. Jt does seem a pity that the members of a public body cannot control their feelings a little moie when when doing their work, and it is earnestly to be hoped that a period will be shortly put to the existence of all the Highway Boards in the country, by the General Government taking charge of the roads.