HAMILTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1255, 15 July 1880, Page 2

HAMILTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Council was held on Tuesday. Present, His Worship the Mayor, Crs. Jones, McGarrigle, White, Peat, Price, Pearce, Davis, Vialou, and Mullions. The minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed and the outward correspondence was read and approved. Mr. W. H. Kelly wrote, drawing the attention of the Council to the state of the footpaths near his property, in Cook-street, Some time ago the t ouncil promised to supply gravel on the condition that he made the footpath. There was also a <lraiu across the footpath which would require a few pipes. On the motion of Cr. Jones it was resolved to carry out the work. A letter was read from Mr. William Alexander and others on the subject of the proposed works in Rostrevor-street requesting that they may be proceeded with at once. The Town Clerk said the chairman of the Works Committee had been over the ground and considered that the work might bo done for a small sum. The recommendation would be found in the Works Committee Report. Messrs. Wright and Vincent wrote, asking the Council to allow them to cart the pipes for Bridge-street free of toll across the bridge. They had not allowed for it in their tender. The Mayor said the granting of this would involve a principle. Everybody who tendered for Borough work would expect the same indulgence. Cr. McGarrigle > did not think the Council had power to remit the toll. Cr. Jones said if they did not remit the tolls the money would have to come out of the General fund, go to the Special fund, because tenderers would have to allow for the toll. Cr. Vialou thought it would be better as they would the sooner get a free bridge. Ultimately it was agreed that the Council could not remit the fines, but that the amount of the applicant's toll be paid out of the General fund. A letter was read from Mr H. Brett, withdrawing his tender for Borough advertising. The Mayor said he had an explanation to make .on this subject. He had been charged with withholding this letter, when he had never seen it. He had kept back a telegram, he acknowledged, but he did so, because had he made it public, the Wat k ato Times might have also withdrawn their tender. Large sums of money had been paid for advertising and they had now effected a saving. It would also have been unfair to the other papers tendering had he prevented the meeting being held. He thought he was perfectly justified in his action. Cr. Peat asked the Mayor why he went to the Times office. The Mayor said he went in the interest of the Borough. Cr. Peat said he had no right to go. The Mayor said he was astonished. The executive of the Council no right to transact business between the meetings of the Council ! He pointed out that the Council had found no fault with him when he exercised this right on the occasion of the recent visit of the Minister for Public Works, and if it was right then it is ri»ht now. He thonght he had acted wisely. Cr. Vialou would be the last to attempt to rob the Mayor of his executive rights ; but he thought His Worship should have produced the telegram at the first Council , meeting. Tho Town Clerk said there had been no meeting of the Council between the date the telegram was received and the date of the public meeting. Cr. Vialou said in that case it ought to go forth that there was no meeting. Cr. McGarrigle said it had been stated that the price of two advertisements might have been saved had the Mayor acted on the telegram. The Mayor said the advertisement calling the public meeting had been sent to the paper before he got the telegram; besides which he had given his reasons for withholding the telegram. Cr. Jones said lie could understand that had, the Mayor made the contents of the telegram, known the Times might have withdrawn its tender. The Mayor thought some resolution ought to be passed on the matter. Cr. McGarrigle said he was satisfied that the Mayor had acted for the best. He moved, "That this Council having heard the explanation given by the Mayor re telegram and letter, exonerates him from all blame m the matter." Cr. Price said he strongly objected to the Mayor's going to the Waikato Times' office. The Mayor then left the chair, and Cr. Vialou being voted to that position the motion was put and carried. The Mayor having resumed his place, A telegram was read from Mr F. A. Whitaker, M.H.U., containing brief terms upon which the loan had been borrowed. The Mayor said this was in answer to a telegram sent by him. They had never before seen the conditions. It was for the Council to say what steps should be taken regarding the telegram. He could not help thinking that if the Council had been left to deal with this matter all would hare been right. But the burgesses had snatchod their functions out of their hands. He thought they should now endeavour to obtain the conditions in writing from Wellington and they would then be in a position to deal with this matter. He moved to that effect. Cr Peat seconded, Cr Vialou pointed out that the loans had been raised for the bridge and approaches, and until the latter were finished they could not be expected to commence the sinking fund. The proceeds from the tolls had not however been misapplied and was now lying at the Bank. Everything had been done in a perfectly proper manner. The motion was then put and carried. Another Megram wa3 read from Mr. Whitaker regarding the £133 for bridge extras, which he thought had been paid. { The Under Secretary for Public Works also telegraphed, stating that only some £3«1 were due. The Clerk said Mr Knowles confused the bridge protective works vote with that of bridge extras. Mr Whitaker had been telegraphed to and would soon set the matter right. A letter was read from Mr Gwynneth, C.E., re the 'specifications for work in Anglesea and Clarence-streets. The Clerk said no tenders had been received for these works. Cr. Vialou moved "That considering the low financial state of the Borough, these works stand over for the present." Cr. McGarrigle seconded this. Cr. Price said they could get the work done much more cheaply now than in a few months time, wh,e« the ground would.

be harder. JEfo moved " That fresh tondors be invited, to be in by next meeting " The Mayor paid he would very much like to see these streets formed, but they must remember that they had no money. They could net exceed their overdraft of £600. There were several roads which required forming. Cr. Jone3 said there was a minute on the books to the effect that Anglesea and Clarence-streets should be the first to be attended to. Cr. McGarrigle thought the matter ought to be referred to the Special Finance Committee if they had found ifc expedient he would go in for the works.™ The Town Clerk caid the sum of .£lOO for fees and licenses was on it way from the Treasury. Then present liabilities jor works in progress were about £12. Cr. Vialou having replied the amendment was put and carried. Crs. Vialou, McGarrigle, White and the Mayor voting for the motion, A letter was read from the Undersecretary, asking for a return of the in-door and out-door relief expended during the year ending 31st March, 1880. — The matter was held over till the next meeting. Tbe Works Committee reported that they had received tenders for layini? pipes, etc., in Bridge-street east, and had accepted that of Mr H. Thomas at £7 for brick gully boxes. For cleaning the bridge and street lamps, tho Committee had only received one tender, that of Mr J Devitt ; and the tender being informal they recommended that fresh tenders be called. Re Bostrevor- street, the Committee : would recommend when tenders were rec ived. Re Peach Grove road, the foreman of works had been instructed to report. Re Clyde-street, instructions had been given to gravel this street with 12 loads of gravel to the chain. Re Wellington* street, Crs. White and Mullions had been authorised to attend to certain necessary repairs. The Committee further recommended that consideration of the removal of earth from near the Commercial Hotel be referred to a committee of the whole Council ; that no action be taken re Gardiner's Gully; that the drain near the Council Chambers having been closed, tenders be called for the formation of Victoria-street to Dr. Waddington's corner. At a meeting held on the 9th inst., the Committee oxamined the accounts of W. H. Kelly and J. K. McDonald, and, finding them correct, passed them for payment. They had instructed the foreman of works to make weekly returns of the gravel deposited in the borough. Ihey recommended that four or five days labor be expended on the Peach Grove road ; and that the repairs in Rostrevorstreet be done by day work. It was resolved that the tender of Mr Devitt for sweeping the bridge and street lighting be accepted, provided the required deposit be lodged It was resolved, on the motion of Cr. Peat, "That the Council have the earth deposited in Mr Vialou's yard measured, and the price thereof deducted from the money to be paid to the contractors ; and that Crs. Pearce, Price, and the mover be appointed to watch t>e case in the interests of the Borough." The recommendation of the Committee re Gardiner's Gully was adopted, as was also that regarding the formation of Victoria-street, and tenders for the latter work were ordered to be called for next sitting of the Council. The other recommendations were adopted. The Special Finance Committee reported that they had considered the letter from the Comptroller - General, and recommended the Council to reply stating that they had never had placed before them other terms of the loan than were contained in the debentures, and that they begged to be supplied with a copy of such terms in writing now. The report was,, after discussion, adopted ; and, after the transaction of some other unimportant business, the Council adjourned.