HAMILTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1208, 25 March 1880, Page 2

HAMILTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

A meeting of the Council was held on Monday evening. Present— Crs. Vialott (chairman), Davis, Peat, Price and Jones. The Clerk having read the notifications of the returning officer with reference to the late elections, introduced Cr. Beale, who feigned the obligation and took his seat as mayor. Cr. Vialou then congratulated the mayor on his election, in perfect confideuce that he would conduct the business of the Council to the bes>t of his ability and to the interests of the borough. The Mayor took the opportunity of returning thanks to the burgesses for his election. They were aware of the depressed condition of the finances of tho borough, and it behoved them to act with all due regard to economy. Messrs. M'Girrigle, Mullions and White were then severally introduced and took their seats at the tabln. The minutes of preceding meeting were read and confirmed.

HAMILTON BRIDGE APPROACHES. The report of Mr Coombes 1 claim was 1 read, and Cr. Jones moved "That the .natter be still further deferred until the vacant ssat in the Council be filled up." Cr. Vialou thought that the applicant 1 jlio aid hs no longer kept out of his money ; it was 3imply a queßtion if an additional 2d per yard was sufficient for spreading and levelling the extra gravel. • R le therefore proposed, "That the case >? met by granting Sir Coombes 4d par ,* ird instead of 2d per yard as proposed. This resolution was ultimately with* Irawn, and the matter was onWed to tand over mit.l the vacant seat in the Council was filled up.

C 'RRES'ONOENCJE. V letter was read from Messrs Heeketh a -id Richmond, stating that they had >een instructed by Messrs Robs and )unbar to apply for an equitable arrangeiunt of the claim of t'lat firm against the j Council for the extras claimed to be don© ! to the bridge contract. The Mayor stated, for the information of new councillors, that the claim had been fully considered, and the Council had decided not to acknowledge tha claim. Ha thought, therefore, to simply acknowledge the receipt of the letter. Cr. Vialou wished it to be understood that he always considered the contractors had a claim for the extra piles, and also for the losa of construction of the epac, but that he voted with the Council in deference to a statement made at the last moeting by the Engineer that the contractors had agreed to forego their demand.

HAMILTON PUNT. A receipt from CV. Hadfield, of Waipa County Council, of the Hamilton punt, and asking for the wire rope also, was read. Cr. Jones stated that Cr. Corboy, of the Waipa Council, had informed him that the connty did not now intend taking the punt at all as they heard it was rotten. THE LOAN. The commission (2J per cent.) on the raising the lust lo<m was ordered to bo paid.

BOEOUGH VALUATION. A letter was r^ad from the Valuator, explaining- how certain extra items in his account were higher this year than laBt, making the claim £21. Cr. Vialou said the cost of valuation was tendeiod for, and therefore the tender must bo adhered to. Cr. Jcmes said the tender should be adhered to. Cr. McGarriglo thought all the extra charge that could bo sustained was the postage. On the motion of Cr. Vialou, seconded by Cr. Irmcs, £15 and £2 10a postage was ordered to be paid.

GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY. A letter was read from the Colonial Treasury, stating that the half-yearly subsidy on the rates paid had been forwarded, namely £211 10s 6d, less £65 for tho Hhare of cost of the Auckland Hospital, and £8G for aid to charitable institutions, leaving a balance of £60 16b Gd to be received by the borough. Councillors, expressed ;m opiuiuu that they could not help themselves, but that they thought the deduetious out of all proportion to tho bouetits received. Houll-v*TiU3l.r IOOITAIII. A letter was received from certain resi-

donts asking 1 that the Council would gravel the footpath opposite their property now that the path was formed. — Referred to Works Committee, with power to aot.

TIMBBE FOB, PUBLIC POUND. The committee having reported that the value of the timber offered by Mr Potter was £10 10s, it was resolved to oifer that sum to Mr Potter, Cr. Mullions alone objecting that the estimate was insufficient.

THE BBXDOE TOLLS. A letter was' tend from the Clerk, putting before the Council the proceeds of the bridge, and how the surplus might be applied. Cr. Vialousaid the matter was one that required a very careful consideration and moved that it be referred to the finance Committee for consideration and report. He might state that the Bo'ough overdraft was £600 and the Bank was likely to press for payment. He thought that after paying expenses of bridge the balance should be devoted to the reduction of the ovei draft. Seconded by Cr Jones. Cr McOarrigle said there was a loss on the bridge of £2 per week for want of a gate. Cr Vialou^s motion was then put and carried unanimously.

CASE OF MARTHA PROCTOR. The c«we of Martha Proctor and her child was brought to the notice of the Council by Mr Palmer, and asking- that the woman Be got into some charitable institution in Auckland. He had found her lying in a ditch in a deplorable state. Cr Vialou taid the Council had no powei -or funds to deal with such casas, out thought they ought to communicate the case to the relieving officer in Ancleland, that he might ascertain if there was any person who could be made responsible for her maintenance. He thought that some authority to act in emergence s of this kind should be granted to the Council, especially considering the large amounts as sen to-night are deducted from the Government subsidy for charitable pur* poses. The Clerk was instructed to communicate with the relieving officer. BHIDOE AND OBEY-BTai''STB. The foreman' of Work's recommendation to put in a culvert at the juction of these streets was submitted to the Works Committee.

Mb Seddon's Claim. The Clerk read a report of a committee on this claim, namely, that the Council should instruct its solicitors to rebut the claim, in. order to allow time for more enquiries. Report adopted. Cr. Vialou thought . it might be a very expensive clum to the Borough, if not properly gone* on with, and would propose that the Committee already appointed enquire fully into the matter, and report to the Council. He thought it would be better to purchase the, land alleged Kobe damaged, and thas settle the matter. - < The Mayor's name wan taken from the committee, and the names 6f Crs. Jones, Peat, and McGarrigle added to it. NOTICES OF HOTIOK. On the motion of Cr. Peate, seconded by Cr. Vialou, it was ordered to pay the amount of salary due to the Clerk of Works. On the motion of the Mayor, seconded by Cr. Jones, the chain on the bridge was ordered to be removed, and gates substituted. On the motion of Or. Jones, seconed by Cr. Davis, the resolutions of a previous meeting, censoring the present Mayor on that occasion, were unanimously ordered to be expunged from the minute book. Cr Vialou moved that for the sake of obtainiug fuller reports, it is de»irable to alter the nights of meeting from Monday to Tuesday. He thought it was exceedingly desirable that members' arguments should be more fully reported, and that the burgesses should be kept more fully aware of the busine-s going on in the Council than it was p ssiblc the local paper could publish if the meetings were held as now— on the evenings previous to publication. Seconded by Cr. Jones, and carried unanimously.

BBTUKNINO CBTIOBR's FEES. On the motion of Cr. Peat, seconded by Cr. fnce, it was unanimously agreed — That the Returning Officer's foes remain as at present fixed, namely, two guineas for each election. ; On the motion of Cr. Johps, it was resolved, now thit the Waikato Hotel will be short y op ned. that the lamp opposite the hotel be «ent into store ; and, on the motion of Cr. Peat, the recommendttion that a lamp be erected at the Hood-Htr> et culvert was agreed to. On the motion of Cr. VUlou, seoonded by Ur. Jones, it was resolved — That the appointment of two Councillors, for the purpose of listting and reporting upon applications for furze being cleared, bo roforred to tb.6 Works Committee. On the motion of Cr. Jones, seconded by Cr. Vialou, it was resolved— That the bridge tolls for the month of April bo eolloctod as at present, and that the toll-kecpor be retained for that time. On 'he motion of Cr. Peat, » eoonded by Cr. Vialtiu, it waB unanimously agreed — That Cr. Jones be permanent chairman of the Works Committed. The name* of Crs. Price and Mullion* were added to the Works Committee.