HAMILTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1243, 17 June 1880, Page 2

HAMILTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

+ The usual fortnightly meetiug of the Council was held at the Council Chambers on Tuesday evening, when there were present: His Woiship the Mayor, Councillors McGarrigle, Price, Peat, Vialou, White, Mullions, Davis, and Jones. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed, and tie outward correspondence was read and approved. A letter was read from the Chairman of the Ringiaohia Highway Board approving of the establishment of a central hospital for Waikato, and stating that the Board would at any time be prepared to appoint one of their number to attend a conference on the subject. Letter received. MrW. Murray, A.C., wrote requesting permission to burn down some furze in Albert-street. The Mayor said he had given permission to Mr Murray himself, knowing that the burning would be under his personal supervision. The Secretary to the Cambridge North Town Board wrote, enclosing a resolution of the Board on the subject of a central hospital for Waikato, which was in effect as follows: — That in consideration of the facility of communication between Waikato and Auckland it would not be necessary to ha\e a central hospital for NV.iik.iito, which would be most expensive to maintain. Letter received, Mr Calderwood wrote, explaining why he did not put in a tender for the engineering for the Council. He had been led to believe that no tender over 2\ per cent, would have a chance, and his tender would have been 5 per cent. Crs Vialou and Jones did not «co how the writer could have been misled. Letter received.

WORKS COMMITTEE'S EEPORT. The works committee reported that at a meeting on the 4th June the following resolutions were carried. I. That the foreman ot works be instructed to proceed with the woiks at No. i liridge approach. 2. That Cr Vialou be authorised to order a »to\e for the toll-house, including piping, the cost not to exceed 50s, exclushe ot treight. A letter was road trom Mr Ridler, apphing to have gravel laid on the Town side of Cox s gate, and the committee resolved th.it the foreman of works be instructed to employ the gravel ion - tractor for this work, and also to repair the holes in Cook-street. AY drainage works in IJridgestreet cast.—The Chairman requested the committee to give their opinion as to whether the 11inch or 12-inch pipes should be used for the drain in Hridge-street east, and the opinion having been expressed, it was resohed by the committee that 12-inch pipes be used, and that the 12-inch pipes taken up at Mr Vialou's property be used lor this purpose, the remainder being ordered from Wrjjyht .iml Vincent, and that tenders be called as soon as spec Hications are prepared. The Clerk said the stove mentioned had since been supplied. Cr Jones complained of the approach to the pound being choked with furze. The Clerk further reported that the stakes had been ordered for No. 1 Badge, and that the work required by Mr Ridler had been commenced. Cr Jones could not see that 12-inch pipes were required for Bridge-htreet East, and he would move that 11-inch pipes be substituted. Cr Vialou said the matter had been left in the hands of the committee with power to act, and the Council could not deal with it now. After searching the minute book and various reports the Clerk reported that he could not find mention of auy power • to act. Cr Vialou said it ought to hare been mentioned. Cr Price seconded the motion. Cr Vialou moved as an amendment ' that the pipes used be 12-inch, as recommended" He did this to be consistent. He had always said that 11-inch pipes were too small. The quantity of water which would flow through these pipes would be now greater than ever, on account of their reoeiving the drainage of Heaphy Terrace, and a portion of the main-street. He pointed out that the 9-inch pipe in Victoria-street was hardly sufficient and there would be much more water duwn Bridge-street. Cr. Jones could not see that there was such a great difference between 11-inch and 12-mch pipes. The amendment being seconded by Cr. White was put to the Council and lost. Cr. Davis then moved as an amendment that ti-tree be usect instead of pipes for the present. He thought they should practice economy as many of their back streets required repairing. Cr. Peat seconded. Cr Vialou said the pipes already laid at the top of the street were two feet below the drain in which the ti-tree would be laid. Cr, Davis said if such was the case he

would withdraw his amendment which was agreed to and the original motion was then put and carried. Cr. Vialou asked the Clerk if amendments not carried were inserted in the minutes. The Clerk : Yes. Cr. Vialou said his reason for asking was that when the 11-inch pipes were shown to be insufficient he would like to refer to his amendment.

REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON FINANCE. The Committee appointed to enquire into matters connected with the furniture supplied for the Mayor's room, reported that at a meeting 1 held on the 4th June, Cr. Vialou explained that when Cr. Potter was elected Chairman, he came to him with an order to supply certain furniture, and he referred him to Sir Frank Vialou, and it was furnished by him. Other cases of this sort had occurred and the Council had passed the accounts. Further, that it was resolved to recommend the Council not to entertain the charges of Mr F. Vialou for furnishing the Mayor's room, and that he be requested to remove the same. Cr Peat moved the adoption of the report, and explained to tbe Council that the furniture had been ordered by Cr Potter in the face of the adverse vote of the Council. Cr Price seconded this. The Mayor quite agreed with the recommendation of the Committee as a matter of principle. He thought, however, that they might take into consideration anew the question of furnisfcing the Mayor's room. Cr McGarrigle moved as an amendment—"Thatthe furniture be removed, and that, providing Mr Vialou take off 20 per cent of the price it be replaced." This waa seconded by Cc Mullions. Cr Price did not see the necessity of furnishing the Mayor's room ; it had never been used. The amendment was then put to the Council with this result:—For : The Mayor, Crs Vialou, White, McGarrigle and Mullions. Against: Crs Peat, Price, Davis and Jones.—Amendment carried.

FIRE BRIGADE COMMITTEE'S REPORT. The Committee appointed to arrange peliminaries with the \iew to establishing .1 S,ih age Corps in the Borough, reported that at .1 meeting on the 12th, it was resohed that the Town Clerk write to all the fire insurance companies in Auckland, asking them whether inthec\entof the Hamilton Borough Council establishing a complete Fire Bregadc, they would co-operate and provide an engine and hose, the ri\er passing right through the Borough, and quite accessible to the principal blocks of Buildings. The report not being complete was not dealt with. It was agreed that the Special Finance Committee meet on Monday eveniug next at 8 o'clock, to arrange with the new bankers re overdraft. Cr. Jones, in accordance with notice, moved, "That the Clerk write to the Auckland Herald, the Star, and the Waikato Times, asking the terms upon which they will do the Borough printing and advertising for 12 months; and that a committee consisting of Cra. Vialou, McGarrigle, Peat, the Mayor, and the mover be appointed to carry out the same and submit the tenders to the Council." Cr. Davis seconded. Cr. Peat moved as an amendment, "That the Waikato Times be first applied to, to see what terms could be made with them." He thought they should do all that they could to support the local paper. Cr. Price seconded the amendment. He qnite agreed with the mover that they should support the local paper, and not send their money to a paper in Auckland from which the district did not receive sixpennyworth of good during the whole year. Cr. Jones said the resolution would not bind them to send their money to Auckland, but they would be in a better position to judge if they got the tenders. Cr. McGarrigle thought there could be no harm in getting prices, though if there was any preference it should be given to the local paper. Cr. Vialou would support the motion. It would be placing the Waikato Times in an unfair position to ask it to tender first, because if they were dissatisfied with it, the amount would be sure to ooze out, and when tenders were called the other papers could tender below it. For the amendment there voted Crs. Peat, Price, and White, the rest going against it. The motion was then put and carried. A letter signed by Mr John Deegan and others was received, asking the Council to form a street leading out of Victoria-street and giving access to their houses. The Mayor said he had given notice to move, " That Mr Gwynneth be instructed to take the levels of the worst streets." However, as this would entail expense, he would, with permission, alter the motion to the following :—"That a committee consisting of Crs. Vialou, McGarrigle, Mullions, White, and the mover be appointed, for the purpose of examining the worst streets in the Borough to report to this Council with a view to improving them." The motion was seconded by Cr McGarrigle and carried. It was resolved—" That a meeting of the Council be held on the first Monday iv every mouth, for the purpose of passing accounts.'' The Mayor drew attention to the subjects of lighting tbe Borough lamps and sweeping 1 the bridge. Ho thought the latter should be attended to, as the filth and mud on the bridge was very disagreeable to foot patsengers and very hurtful to the structure itself. It had been made the subject of very many complaints. He also thought a footway could be formed by laying- battens on the wheel-guards of the bridge. Ho would move—" That the matters be reierred to the Work 3 Committee.." This was seconded by Cr McGarrigle and carried. The Mayor said there was another matter to which he would direct their attention, and that was as to how the discontinuance of the Government subsidies I would affect the Borough. He wondered how they were to carry on at all without these funds, and it was quite time they followed the example of other Councils, aud agitated on the subject. He read a portion of the Financial Statement going to show that in lieu of the subsidies hitherto given to Boroughs they would be allowed to rate lands belonging to the Government. He really could not agree with the statement of the Colonial Treasurer that they would be better off under the new system than the old. He was bound to think they would be much worse off. He thought the action of the Government amounted to a repudiation of the promise of a former Government that the subsidies should continue for five years, of which only four had elapsed. They ought to do something to keep the Government up'to their engagements. In answer to Cr. McGarrigle, The Clerk said the amount which he estimated to accrue from rates on Government land in the Borough was £20 per annum. He said the members for the district had been asked to watch the subject. Leave was granted to the Mayor to telegraph to the members asking them what position the Borough would occiij>y under the proposed new condition of things. At the request of the Mayor, the Clerk laid plans of the town endowment on the table with the object of doing something to utilise them. The Mayor moved, " That a committee, consisting of Crs. McGarrigle, Mullums, White, Peat, and the mover, be appointed to report on the endowments, with a view to raising funds for this Council." The motion was duly seconded and carried. '

The Mayor then referred to Sydney Square, which had been left in a very bad state. The Clerk explained that the Council voted £40 for the purpose of levelling the square, to be paid to the Sydney Square Recreation Committee on the completion of the work. They had already paid £25, and the contractor had applied to them for the balance, which had of course been refused. He supposed it was a matter of funds ; the 0011111111166 would pay as soon as they could get the money. The matter then dropped. It was resolved to call for tenders for supplying gravel to the Borough for three months. Cr. McGarrigle wished to ask a quesof Cr. Vialou concerning the matter of the drain pipes laid through the latter's property, and which he had agreed to have removed, but subsequently stopped the contractor. At the suggestion of the Mayor, Cr. McGarrigle agreed to make his question the subject of a notice of motion. It was resolved that the account for works in Clarence-street (£2O Is 3d), having been certified to, be passed for payment. The Council then went into committee.