HAMILTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1080, 27 May 1879, Page 2

HAMILTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Monday, May 26. 1 -Present: The Mayor and Crs. Gwynne, Dawson, Potter, Jtiume, Gaudin, Gardner, Beale and Knox. The minutes "of preceding meeting were read and confirmed. Amongst the correspondence read, was a letter from the Cambridge Farmers' Club, asking what the Council intended to do . in the matter of holding the next show. It was resolved to reply that, though as individuals, they wished the show every success, they could not, as a Council, vote public money for such a purpose, but would provide a suitable piece of ground. Messrs Ross and Dunbar wrote, explaining the cause of delay in the construction of the bridge, and stating that the work would be done up to time, or, at least, oDly so far beyond it as the extra work occasioned. An opinion from the law advisers of the Council was read, to the effect that the late insolvency of Cr. Beale did not. affect his position as Councillor. Letters were read from James Harper and Thos. Mander, stating that, as they had formed the footpaths opposite their property, they would request the Council to gravel the same, according to the published notice. Referred to Works Committee. Letters were read from Mr Stewart, District Engineer, respecting the railway crossings on Mr Jolly's land, stating that, unless the roads were dedicated, he would not put in level crossings, but only private crossings, and recommended that the crossing into the town belt be placed some 2^ chains further along the line. The Engineer's report stated that the concrete pier of the bridge was finished, that the piles were all driven, two sets of tressels for main tiers fixed, two sets of tressels for land spans ready for fixing, and the necessary excavations made. The gravelling of Cook-stre. t was nearly completed, and the kerbing in Victoria-street finished, save a little straightening, which will be done as the foot paths are formed, In Grey-street, the report says, the contractor has made very good progress with the forming and gravelling, and will complete same in about a week. The Clarance - street culvert has been commenced. Re the _ approaches to the Bridge, the Engineer goes on to say :—" Agreeably to your instructions, tenders will be received to-day, but owing to the ambiguity of the advertisement, I am unable to say up to what time tenders can be received. T have, however, informed contractors, so as to enable them to get their cheques marked at the Bank, that they will be received up to 11 a.m., but the Council must determine whether they can be received afterwards. The plans and sections are got out for the full width of the street, but as the amouut requisite to do this will very much exceed the amount which I believe is at the disposal of the Council, l must ask that, before any tenders are opened, the line of action will be determined, and that I be allowed to attend upon the Council in committee. — Yours, &c, William C. Breakell, May 26, 1879." A letter was read from Mr W. Wood complaining that lie was interfered with in the cleaning of the drain in Collingwood Street by Mr Davis wheu cleaning it out near his property. Referred to the Police. , A letter was read from the Works Committee stating that the day men would be struck off with the exception of the foreman and recommending henceforward that all works be tendered for. The motion of Cr. Potter "That Sydney Square be fenced in and levelled" was brought forward. Cr. Potter in advocating it said that this work was before time approved by the Council. If it were done it would meet the requirements of the Cambridge Farmers' Club. If not done, it would be unsightly, and detrimental to the town. if fenced and levelled it would bring in a revenue as a grazing ground. Cr. Hume thought, that in the state of the Borough finance, it was not right to enter upon any work not actually needed The Cambridge Farmers' Club had not decided the question of holding the show at Hamilton. The Hamilton members of the Club had already stated to the Club that Hamilton was prapared to provide a suitable piece of ground for the show. It would be time enought to bring up this matter when the Club had held its next meeting. Cr. Gwynne said, the Cambridge people did not wish to come to Hamilton. They had been unable to make the two last shows successes in Cambridge. Ono of the principal breeders, Mr MacLean, said he could not afford thg>>^ense of exhibiting, yet this sai-^^ldeder could send stock to Sydney, but wanted to withhold it from Hamilton, so as to prevent the show being a success if held there. When his oattle were sent to Sydney the Hamilton Punt and the ocean voyage Avere no obstacles, but now he could not send his stock even to Hamilton, though there was the Narrows Bridge, by which the punt might be avoided. The Mayor thought the whole matter should stand over till next meeting, which was agreed to. On the motion of Cr. Potter, the Engineer's report was received. Cr. Knox, reading a letter he had received, wished to see the contract for curbing Victoria-street. He asked if three land binders had been used, and three posts had been used to a certain length of timber. The Engineer said that the distances had not always beeu adhered to, when the lengths of timber - did not require it. There was no material difference. There were net ten landbinders left out in the whole work. It did not make a difference of 1 per cent, in the saving to the contraotor. At this stage, it was found the letter of complaint sent to Cr. Knox was anonymous, and the Council refused to listen any further to it. TENDERS FOR' CUTTING VICTORIA STREET. Cr. Potter believed it would be advisable to extend the time for receiving these tenders. It had been arranged that the Engineer should prepare plans, and that then the Council should proceed to the and settle what plans should be adopted. He protested against the manner m which these cuttings ha* been tendered for by the lump, and not^

ti — ■ — by the yard. Contractors who co afford to pay for professional advi could ascertain what number of cu yards need be taken out, while others 1 to guess at it, whereas if it was tende: for by the yard, all would have a f chance in tendering. It was to have b< left to the Council, to say whether 1 road Bhduld be cut l£ chains wide or le not to have called for tenders with< giving the Council an opportunity knowing what expense would be incurr< It was taking the Council by surprise. Cr. Hume said, he thought it was c cided to receive tenders, and be guided their amount, as to which width the ro should be out. / It was resolved not to open the tende] some thirteen, Reived for the Bridj approaches. ' Cr. Beale protested that proper noti had not been given of meeting held Gwynne's Hotel, on the evening of tl 6th May. Some discussion ensued, wh( it turned out that the meeting wi irregular. It was resolved to apply to the Goven ment for four allotments, instoad of threi to enable the Borough to treat with tl owners of allotments, in exchanging thei for land required in the Borough, for th Hamilton Branch Railway Extension. Sundry accounts were ordered to I paid, amounting to £463 14s 4d, an special accounts, £31 4s Id. The general account was stated as beinj overdrawn to the extent of £328 12s 7d. Or. Knox stated. that one piece of work oharged the Board by day wages, at £3 5_ could have been done for 255, if let ty tender. . It was resolved, in future, to have al by-laws drawn up by the legal advisers o: Vfch* Council. Murray was appointe. Coilector of Fees under the Dog Tax Aot. Notioe was ordered to be given, that a rate of Is iu the £ was ordered to be struck for the current year, payable on the Ist July. Cr. Potter gave notice of the appointment 'of a Reserve Lands Committee, to consist of the Mayor, Ors. Hume, Gwynne, Dawson, and the mover, to manage the reserves granted to the Borough, ana that Mr T. G. Sandes be appointed surveyor to the committee ; also, that all specifications for contracts be submitted to the Works Committee, before tenders are called for by the Engineer; also, that the allottment granted by the Government, for the public pounds, be at once fenced in, and the pounds erected. A shilling a day, ou the motion of Cr. Potter, was added to the foreman's wages, as extra service as lamplighter. At three o'clock, the Council again met, to discuss' the approaches to the bridge. The tenders were not opened, but the Engineer stated that the work could not be done under £3,600. This was beyond the means of the Borough, and a discussion, in which the Engineer took part, led to the result of calling for fresh tenders for constructing the work at a less easy gradient, 1 in 25, instead of 1 in 37. Cr. Potter suggested that the work be tendered for at per yard, and not in a lump sum, and moved, " That the plans now prepared be amended, to give that grade ; tender to be sent by 10 a.m., 9th 'June next, and that Victoria aud Grey streets be 1^ chains, and that Bridge street East be 1 chain, and Bridge street west, not less than 40 feet." Seconded by Cr. Knox, and carried. This concluded the business. Ladies and Gentlemen wishing to furnish their Houses would be well repaid by a visit to the City Hall Arcade, the finest Show room in New Zealand, and containing the largest stock nf Carpeta and greatest variety cf Furniture to be seen iu the colony. The large .•pUßiness transacted in this Establishment 'is due to the very moderate prices oharged and zealous attention paid to the wants and wishes of its patrons. The Proprietors have successfully initiated the J ,l_ond<>n system of combining the various departments of Drapery, Ladies and Gentlemen's Clothing, with House furnishing in all its branches. Country Settlers' requirements are especially studied, and, as regards Furniture, they will tind made, reaay for delivery, Sittingroom Suites in great variety — Bedroom Furniture, comprising hundreds of Bedsteads in Iron, Brass, and Wood — Bedding of all sizes, Wardrobes, Chests of Drawers, Wash _>cand_, Toilet Glasses and Tables, Toilet Ware, Fenders and Fireirons, &c, Sco,, &c* Purchasers find it to their advantage to deal with the undersigned, as they keep goods especially suited for their establishments. Give vour oider to Uolloway, Garlick, and C«anw_i__, City Hall Arcade, Queen-street, Auckland.