HAMILTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2212, 11 September 1886, Page 2

HAMILTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Thk adjourned meeting of the council was held at the chambers last night. Present: His Worship the Mayor, Crs. Edeecumbe, Jones, Bell, Dey and .Scott. Nrw Councillous. — Messrs Tippen, Barton, and Yon Stunner, the newly elected councillors, made the usual declaration, and after receiving the congratulations of the Mayor, took their seats at the table. The Main Dhain, Hamilton Wkst.— Mr T. Vincent wrote asking the council to have tho drain through his property nt the corner of Thakeray and Anglesey- streets covered in, as it was dangerous. — The Mayor said this letter opened up a very large subject. They had long been in dread of this, ami it had come at last. He had given notice of a resolution on the nritter, but it could not cm 3 up at this meeting.— The Town Cleik read a petition, signed by a largw number of ntvp.iyers, prayintr that tho count:) l would t.»k» into consideration the advisability of uuJi rtaking before the summer, the proper drainage of the block boun li % <! by Victoria,, Anglesea, Knox, and Collinirwo-id-streets, and intersected by llood-«.ir> et. — The Mayor said he intended to move that it is a matter of urgency to undertaka tiie drainage of the block affected, the cost not to exceed £500, the engineer to b j , instructed to prepare plans for alternative routes, either by the present way or across Victuria-stre.et to the river. Since he had written his notice, he had been informed that the engineer was strongly of opinion th.it the course taken by the present drain was the only practicable one. He was sorry his notice of motion had not been given in time, but it would be considered at next meetine.— The petition was received. The Libuaky.— The secretary of the Library Committee wrote, thanking the council for its munificent gift of Mr Jessop's circulating library. Mil O'Dea's Claim.— Mr ODea wrote, asking if ho had been paid £10 for preparing plans for the proposed public building, a* had been stated to the Minister of Public Works. Ho had received a letter from the Minister to that effect. He also forwarded a bill for £1 12 10s for professional services in preparing plans a t the request of the Mayor, for tho proposed public buildings.— In reply to Cr. Jones, the Town Clerk sud Mr ODea had not been paid ±10.— The Mayor said it was plain that Mr ODea either wished to make a rise or tike a ri.«,e out of the council. — Cr. Edgecumbe said the council had nothing to do with the question whether Mr ODea had or had not received £10.— Cr. Scott said they might gne the man a civil answer.— Cr. Edgecumbe said the request was a reflection upon the Mayor. — The Mayor said he had informed the Minister that the council had icsoh t>d that the remuneration to be given Mr ODea was not to exceed £10. This conversation took place in Wellington. The Minister remarked that the plan* were vague, and he (the Mayor) explained that they were merely sketch plan*. He had asked Mr ODea whether the sum of hve guineas would bo sufficient, And that gentleman had agreed. The council subsequently resolved that the sum should not exceed £10. —In answer to Cr. De.y,the Mayor said the council had not refused to pay the money. - Cr. Edgecumbe failed to see Mr O'Doa's object in communicating with the Minister. The letter to which reference was made ought to have been forwarded to the council.—Cr. Edgecumbe moved, and Cr. Barton «pconded, " That the letter be received."— Cr. Scott moved, and Cr. Jones seconded, 14 That a direct answer be given to Mr ODea, stating that he had not been paid £10."— Cr. Tippen said they were sitting there in the interests of the ratepayers, and should act cautiously.— Cr. Edgecumbe said it seemed absurd that they should be called upon to mix themselves up with Mr ODea in his correspondence with the Government.— Cr. Scott said Mr O'Dea's letter implied that some member of the council had privately communicated with the Minister. He would suggest that those who were not guilty should say so.— The Mayor said he had had no written communication with the Minister.—Cr. Tippen said it was quite clear that the Minister had misinterpreted the Mayor's statement.— Cr. Scott said if any other man had asked for a straight answer he would have got it.— Cr. Edgecumbe: Perhaps there might not bo £112 tacked on to it.— Cr. Scott : We are not children. — Cr. Edgecumbe : Yes we are. In this case we are very simple. I told Mr ODea distinctly that I would object to deal with the question unless he sent the original letter from the Minister.— Cr. Scott : What danger is there in it?— Cr. Edgecumbe : We don't know.— Cr. Scott : If thei c was any danger I should be the last to vote for giving him an answer. — Cr. Edgecumbe : I have no doubt, but it is better to be safe than sorry.— The amendment was then put. when there voted for it Crs. Jones and Scott. For the motion there voted Crs. Edgecumbe, Barton, Tippen, Yon Stunner, Dey, and Bell and the Mayor. The motion was therefore carried. Accounts.— Several accounts were passed for payment, and the meeting was adjourned until Monday.