CAMBRIDGE TOWN BOARD.

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1414, 26 July 1881, Page 3

CAMBRIDGE TOWN BOARD.

The usual monthly meeting of the Board was held at the Chamber Cambridge, on Wednesday night last when there were present:—Messrs. Thos. Wells, (Chairman) Kirkwood, Hewitt, Johnson, and Nixon. The minutes of previous meetings were read and confirmed. The road, between the bridges. Mr Wells speaking with reference to the above matter said the County Council had agreed to give from the funds of the Riding the sum of £160 towards the expenditure necessai y for its improvement and had appointed the Cambudge lown Board to carry out the work. The Pukekura Board had been asked to give assistance in this matter but had courteously declined to do so. With regard to Mr Graham's contracts with the last Board Mr Wells remarked that Mr Graham after carrying out some contracts had claimed a sum of £76 in addition to that which the Board had agreed to give him. The matter had been investigated and the evidence of Mr Graham taken and that of the Engineer, and they came to the conclusion that he (Mr Graham) had no claim whatever and they consequently refused to pay him any more than his due. Mr Graham, however, had since threatened to legally enforce his claim.

Bank Overdraft. The Chairman remarked that it was usual for a newly appointed Board to arrange with the Bank for an overdraft. The Uhual amount arranged for was £200. Their present overdraft amounted to £58 and before the rates came in it would probably amount to £200. It was agreed that the chairman and Mr Hewitt should arrange for the overdraft.

Works in Queen-street. Mr Crickett waited on the Board and made an offer for the completion of Queen-street West, the matter which had been for the past few days troubling the Board. Mr Crickett was informed that his offer should receive due consideration and be duly reported upon.

Signing Cheques. It was agreed that the chairman and Mr Hewitt sign all cheques for the ensuing year. A •„ X . A. *\JT*

Appointment of Officers. Mr Johnson moved that Mr Hamlin be appointed surfaceman for four months, at 6s a day, and, if necessary, that he be reappointed at the same rate at the end of that time. Mr Wells thought he should be employed all the year round, to be discharged if necessary, with a week's notice. Mr Johnson's motion was adopted. Mr Johnson moved " That tenders for engineering 1 be called for the ensuing year." Mr Kirkwood seconded, Mr Weils thought it was unnecessary to advertise for tenders, as there were only two engineers in the place. This could be done by circular. Fe did not think it proper that money Bhould go out of the place. Mr Johnson recommended that their Engineer should be changed. Independent of private or personal feeling, , he thought they had a duty to perform to the ratepayers, and by adopting the step recommended by him they .would be doing their duty, the present Engineer having led them into difficulties creative of enormous expense to the ratepayers. The present state of affairs in Queen-street was a sample of the engineering to which he referred. He would recommen4 that "they stop the contract and pay the men for what they had done,' and thenemploy .a new Engineer. Mr Wells disapproved of Mr Johnson's proceedings in this respect. He thought it Bhould be a question of oenaure, which the Engineer should have an opportunity to reply to and given an explanation. Mr Johnson' maintained th&t thefEngineer was incompetent, and he would refer his opinion, to the other members tit the| Board. He might >be 'a! good ' surveyed,' but he was certain he was not a good engineer,* ;, , lfi , , - ,<-,.' i .{,'- <, :> Mr Wells didn'i think that the action of Mr Johnson was jn, keeping . with fair 'p"lay. Mr ' Johnson remarked 'that he felt;, very' warm on the s'ubjefct/to which MV Wells .replied that it was his opinion that Mr 'JohnkoSHwls"i)aiib!-'Ofdttf/ "U IUJJGwVfIfc It was ultimateiy J 're£olved / that tenders should be advertised -for. i In , l reply, - >to •? JVTr^JoiinsoiD iMiv Wells stated that it was a source of livelihood rto sotoe people' torbb perinittedito le'ttheiri I cattle stroll about the towiship at large, wd also a source of great convenience.

On the motion of Mr Hewitt it was resolved that tenders should be invited for the office of Ranger. Repairing Board Offices. Messrs^ Johnson and .Ifixon brought forward a report i dealing with the necessary repairs to the Board offices. , On' the' motion of, Mr Nixon, seconded by Mr Hewitt, it 'was' resolved that the contemplated improvements be proceeded with, and that tenders be called for the i same, A communication was received from Mr Wright re the leasing of the large room for meeting purposes." The meetings to be held were those of the Christian Young Mens Association, the Musical Union, &c The writer agreed to fit up the room in a most comfortable manner by lining it ; putting up blinds above ; and seats round the room, on conditions that the Board would forego, a year's rent. Mr Welh thought they should encourage local societies of this nature by making their terms as easy' as possible. Mr Kirkwood recommended that Mr "Wright should have the room for the nominal rent of a shilling a year, and the Board give them a grant of £20 (the year's rent), towards the object mentioned. It was agreed that Mr Wells and Mr Johnson wait upon Mr Raynes and Mr Wright re the above. The Sale Yards. Mr Johnston recommended that Mr Thompson, the Board's secretary should be in attendance at the office on sale days to look after the interest of the ratepayers in the matter of fees, and receive a per centage on the feea received, to be supplemented by the Board if not sufficient. It was agreed that this matter should stand over until next meeting. Crickett's Contract. On the motion of Mr Kirkwood, seconded by Mr Nixon it was agreed that Mr Crickett's offer re the completion of Queen-street be accepted. This was all the business.