HAMILTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1117, 21 August 1879, Page 2

HAMILTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

A meeting of the Hamilton Borough Council wag held on Monday afternoon, Councillor McDonald occupying the i chair. There were also present Councillors Dawson, Beale, Potter, Gaudin, and Knox. victjbia. street footpath. A letter was received from Messrs Hesketh aud Richmond, drawing attention to the injury done by the Council to the property of Mr Vialou, in Viotoriastreet, giving the alternative to the Council of either making the footpath, or defending an action for compelling compensation. Councillor Potter said that though it had been stated by the Works Committee that Mr Vialou had agreed to do the path if a retaining wall was built, there was no record of such agreement, and therefore he thought the Council ftmst submit to the demand. Councillor Beale agreed with Councillor Potter.

Councillor Knox moved as an amendment — " That the letter be referred to the Works Committee for their report." Though no written record of the agreement existed, the verbal agreement itself could be proved. If they made an exception in one case, they did injustice in others. Councillor G-audin seconded the amendment, stating that a distinct arrangement was made with Mr Viakra, that if the Council built the retaining wall, he would form the footpath For the amendment, Councillors Knox, Gaudin, Dawson, and McDonald; against it, Councillors Pottar and Beale. BOBOUQK OBAVBL PITS. A letter was read from Mr Kelly, complaining that the shutting him off from the gravel pits in the Borough, was an interference with the understanding' on , which hia contract for supplying gravel >

| was entered into. It was pointed out that the prohibition only referred to one gravel*, pit. It was resolved that in future all gravel should be taken under inspection of tho foremen of works. GBANTIIAM STREET. - A letter was received from Mr T. H. I NV. Morris, asking for a retaining wall opposite his property, in Grantham street. Councillor Knox thought that, in all fairness, the promise should bo made to do this work, at the first opportunity. Councillor Potter quite agreed with Councillor Knox. The matter was agreed to. SLAUGHTERHOUSE INSPECTION. A letter was read from the Inspector of Slaughterhouses, stating that, as Mr Salmon and the Messrs Coleman slaughtered cattle outside the borough, they could evade all control by the Council, unlesß the Council's agent, at Wellington, were instructed to get a bill introduced, to give power to Boroughs to prohibitthesaleof meatinany ßorough, by i all persons who are not subject to Borough control.

The matter was referred to the By-law Committee. RIVBB FORESHORES. < Mr T. G. Sandes brought up plans of the foreshore. The matter was referred to a committee. '*" " THE COLMNGWOOD STREET NUI3ANOB. The Inspector of Nuisances reported Mr Pearce had taken no steps to remedy the Collingwood street nuisance. Councillor Knox moved, "That the Inspector of Nuisances be instructed to take the -necessary action against Mr Pearoe, with legal assistance." No one seconding the motion, Councillor Knox stated he would resign his seat, and call a public meeting, and place the fact that the Council was afraid to perform its duties, before the public.

Councillor Beale would not object to vote on* the motion, but, thought the Inspector should act without instructions. It was shown, by the Act, that the Inspector had no power, except through the Council. The motion lapsed, for want of a seconder. The following report, from Mr F. A. Whitaker, the agent of the Counoil, at Wellington, during the late session, was read: — "Hamilton, 18th August, 1879. " The Mayor and Councillors, Borough of Hamilton. £3000 SUBSIDY FOB BEIDQE.

' "Gentlemen, — I waited upon the Premier, in reference to this matter, and Waa informed that the money had been sent some few days previously. A little later on, having occasion to wait upon Mr Fitzgerald, Commissioner of Audit and Sinking Fund, I learned that, owing, I presume, to some misapprehension, the money had not been forwarded.

" I waited upon the Premier, again, and also upon the Hon. Mr Sheehan.

"By the latter gentleman, I was referred to Mr Macandrew. After some time spent with that Minister and Mr Knowles, Under Secretary for Public Works, a document was produced, of the existence of which I had no previous knowledge, signed by the Mayor and the Minister for Public "Works. This document, provided that the said sum of £3,000 was to be paid to the Borough, by progressive payments, on certificates from the proper authorities. Under these circumstances, the only arrangement that could be made, was the following, viz : — That the Treasury would, from time to time, honor such certificates, as the money became due to the contractors. be £270, jolly's allotment. "I saw Mr Knowles thereon, who stated that the money would be forthcoming, immediately upon the receipt by him of a voucher that a deed had been Bigned. BE EXCHANGE OS 1 LANDS FOB HAMILTON BEANOH LIKE. " Mr McMinn and I saw Mr Knowles , who informed us that he could find no record of any promise' made by Mr Macandrew, to exchange acre fcr acre Fortunately, Mr McMinn had been present at the making of the bargain, and established the fact of the pledge having been made. Mr Knowles, however, stated that the Ministers had no power to make the bargain. "The matter will, therefore, require further consideration by the Council.

BE LOANS. "I made application to the Commissioners, and expect a reply daily • BE 62 ACBES ENDOWMENT. "These have been 4»id before Parliament, and attended to. " I am, Gentlemen, "Yours, obediently, F. A. WHITAKER.

It was resolved that the Works Committee should correspond with the Government on the matter of the exchange of land required for railway purposes. The report of the Works Committee waa adopted. BOEOTKJH BANKING ACCOUNT. Councillor Potter moved, "That terms for the general business of the Borough Banking Account be obtained from the Union Bank of Australia or other banks with a view to being transferred there, if found more eligible tkan that which is at present afforded at the Bank of New Zealand." The mover stated that he did so not out of opposition to the Bank but in the interests of the Borough. Ten per cent he considered too high a rate to pay on overdrafts while only 4 per cent, was j allowed for deposits. £3000 deposits had been lying at the Bank in one account while there was only £800 of an overdraft on the general account. Ho wanted to have the question tested whether the Borough was not suffering an injustice. Councillor Beale seconded the motion.

Councillor Knox moved the previous question. He thought the Bank of New Zealand had been very liberal to the Borough, more so than any foreign Bank would have been. The Bank had a claim on Hamilton for it had done more for it than the Council would do in years — it had by the building it had erected put the Hall mark on the standard value of Hamilton allotments.

Councillor Gaudin said that the establishment of their headquarters at Hamilton entitled the Bank of New Zealand to the consideration of the Council.

Councillor Potter said the least the Council could do was to enquire whether better terms could be got elsewhere. Even then it was not necessary to remove the account if the Bank of New Zealand would give them as fair terms as others. For the amendment: Councillors Dawson, McDonald, Gaudin and Knox ; Against: Councillors Potter and Beale, The motion was therefore lost. ACCOUNTS. Certain accounts were referred to the Finance Committee. RESIGNATION. Councillor Gaudin tendered his resignation as he was about to leave Hamilton for a time. Councillor Knox proposed and Councillor Potter seconded that the resignation be accepted. Councillor Bealo moved as an amendment, • ' That it be not accepted." No one seconded the amendment.

Councillor Knox said he would socond it pro forma, provided Councillor Bcalo

would do as he intended to do, when similarly oerved, give m his resignation, meet his constituents and stand the test of an election.

Councillor Boule declining the challenge, the original motion was put and carried. On the motion of Councillor Knox, Beconded by Councillor Dawson it was then resolved that a letter be Rent from this Council under the hand of the Mayor to Cr Gaudin thanking him for past i services, and wishing him a speedy return to this Borough and his family. Conncillor Knox was appointed tn sign sign cheques for the. Council. TENDEns. The following tenders were received for, kerbing and material :— Coates and Campbell; this tender was informal, no cheque accompanying it. James Black (accepted), for Steam Navigation Company, kauri, 16s per 100 feet, or Is more if delivered; short lengths puriri, 29s 6d per 100 feet, or Is mere if delivered; spikes, 26s 6d per cwt. ; coal tar, 9d per gallon; Stockholm tar, 2s per gallon. W. Price, kauri, 18s Gd per 100 feet j puriri, 21s per 100 feet; spikes, 25s per cwt. ; Stockholm tar, 4s 6d per gallon ; coal tar, 9d per gallon. Councillor Knox gave notice of motion, that on next sitting day he would move that Grey-street be in future called Foxstree^