HAMILTON BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING.

Waikato Times, Volume XII, Issue 992, 31 October 1878, Page 2

HAMILTON BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING.

TnK u-jual fortnightly meeting of the Hamilton Borough Council was held on Monday night, but a "quorum was not present until more than half-an-hour after the fixed hour of meeting. Present: The Mayor and Councillors Knox, Beale, Potter, Cox, Gaudin,Hume, Dawson and txwynne. A vote of thanlcs, sent by the Council to Mr P. A. Whitaker; for his exertions at "Wellington, in favour of the Borough, was read. Mr D. Elliott was appointed Cleric of Works, at a salary of £4 4s per week. The report on Cr, Potter's motion, that Sydney Square be fenoed in as a recreation ground, was adopted, and it was agreed that the Hall be sold and the proceeds be applied to fencing in the ground, the Council voting any balance requiredAn application was made to pay the Mayor's expenses, t';l3 10s Gd, Or. Potter protested that the bill of items should be laid on the table. Ho thought some reason should be given why the claim had been reduced from £BO odd to the present amount. The Mayor was sorry to hear Cr. Potter making untruthful statements, a thing lie was continually doing. He denied that any claim had been made upon the Council. A scene of confusion ensued, which was brought to an issue by Cr. Hume, -who proposed, and Or. Knox, who seconded, that <( the accounts be submitted to the consideration of the whole Council." The debit balanco of the Borough was stated, by the Clerk, to be £115) 17s Gd. The resignation of Mr Gelling of his office of Returning Officer having been received, Mr T. C. Hammond -was appointed to that office. A resolution to rescind a resolution of Cr. Potter's, passed at a previous meeting, contrary to the standing orders, proposed by Cr. Beale, and seconded by the Mayor, was lost on a division,. For the motion : Crs. Beale, Cox and the Mayor. Against: Crs, Hume, Gaudin, Dawdon, Potter ft:id Knox. The Council then went into Committee, to pass certain accounts, the right of the public to remain having been asserted by Crs. Knox anl Potter, and admitted by the Council. The account of the Mayqrwas read seriatim to the meeting. Cr, Potter objected to the precedent laid down, in paying retieption expenses incurred, without the authority of the Council. Some of the items were, he thought, legitimate and fair. He thought that if the Council could not legally vote money for a road outside the Borough, it could not vote money for objects not coming within the range of the Borough Council's functions, or authorised by the Council. All members voting it could, he believed, be sued personally for the amount.

Cr, alsq rof used to vqtc reception expenses. If ho voted the peoples money foi? this purpose, ho could not fane liis constituents. The only way to get over it was, to oall a meeting of the ratepayer to decide, Tlje Mayor ljepo taie up the hill of Hems, sayittg »o mado the Council a prosont of tho amount. Cr. Kuox objected to this course. "What was duo to tho Mayor, must be paid. Cr. Potter would not allow the claim to be withdrawn without the consent of the Council. No Council would allow such au iniquity to. be thrown upon tfcenj,

The Eorouifh Avould not accept such a present. The legitimate cxpqnses should be paid, even if ho paid his share of it out of his OAvn pocket. The Mayor said he had never made any charga. He had simply laid a statement before the Council, and they had received it in a most disgusting manner. A number of small accounts were then passed, and the meeting separated.