HAMILTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2213, 14 September 1886, Page 2

HAMILTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ndjnurned monthly meeting of the council was held last night. Present : Hii Worship the Mayor, Grs. Jones, Barton, Yon Sturtner, Bell, Scott, Tippen, Dey and Edgecumbe. Mh O'Dea's Claim.— A letter wm received from Mr ODea demanding the sum of £112 10s, for making estimates and rough i plans for the proposed public buildings— The Mayor explained that Mr ODea had agreed to -supply all the required information for .the «urn of £5 sa. He j understood that the information given was | in accordance with the agreement. — Cr. | Barton moved that the Bum of £5 ss, the amount agreed to between the Mayor and Mr ODea, be passed for payment to that gentleman as full satisfaction of all demands, the money to be paid through the borough solicitor.— Cr. Tippen said the council could not go beyond the Mayor's explanation.— The Mayor said Mr ODea did not wish to name a price, but he (the Mayor) said it would be much better to have a definite understanding, and he named five guineas. Subsequently, as councillors would remember, the council authorised him to employ Mr ODea, the coat of tho plans, &c, not to exceed £10. — The Clerk rend the resolution to that effect in the minute-book.— Cr. Yon Stunner seconded the motion of Cr. Barton. — Cr. Scott moved as an amendment that Mr ODea be paid the sum of £10. As between man and man, Mr O'Dea's word would be taken for as much value as the Mayor's. He (Cr. Scott) had incurred a pood deal of odium, but though the councillors had mnde several insinuations, all lie did was fair and above board. So long as he sat at that table he would do what was fair and honest On Friday night several councillor* buafeted that the £10 was there waiting for Mr O'Dea. He understood that Mr ODea had applied for the money, and had been'refused.— The Clerk said Mr ODea had not applied for the money.— Cr. Scott moved in addition that the clerk return Mr O'Dea's bill, endorsed "not indebted."— Cr. Tippen strongly objected to the amendment. He looked upon the bill as an insult to the council.— Cr. Edgecumbe quite agreed with Cr. Tippen.— Cr. Scott said the council were stultifying themselves, as they passed a resolution to pay tho money, and now sought to revoke it. They ought first to rescind the resolution.— Cr. Edgeenmbs snid the resolution was to the effect that the aum should not exceed £10.— Tho Mayor said h« was bound to conserve the interests of the borough without fear or favour. They all knew the termn of the arrangement he had made. Mr ODea was willing to leave himself entirely in the hands of tho council. — Cr. Dey did not see why they should pay Mr ODea more than he asked for.— Cr. Barton said it was fortunate that a sum had been named.— The amendment was then put, with tho following result:— Ft: Crs. Scott and Jone«. Against: Crs, Barton, Yon Stunner, Bell, Tippen, Dcv, Edgecumbe and the Mayor.— Tho mi -turn was then put, when the voting wna vice versa. —The motion was accordingly carried. Tub Borough Solicitor.— Mr Hay wrote, asking the council to consider hi* application for a shara of the legal work <>f the borough. He desired to letraet his previous remark in regard to the Town Clerk.— The Mayor said it w.vs \ery necessary that the council should be well advised. He had often felt that he would like to consult the b- .rough solicitor on many points. Hitherto they had been restricted by motives *>f economy. — After some discussion, Cr. Yon Sturmei moved that both Mr Hay and Mr O'Neill be retained as counsel for the borough, that they be retained for one year, and that the business be equally divided between them. He quite agreed with the remarks that had fallen from His Worship. IJue&tions were now arising in which it was absolutely necessary to have efficient legal assistance. — Cr. Dey seconded the motion.— Cr. Scott thought they should employ the solicitors ye.vr about, and moved an amendment to that effect. What with lawyers, engines™, and so on, their revenue would soon be swallowed up.— Cr Tippen: Yes, if we had many bills like Mr O'Dea's.— Cr. Jones seconded the amendment. — Cr. Scott protested against the waste of ir.oney. If they had a dozen lawyers in the place he supposed they would have to employ them all. — Cr. Yon Stunner : B.it we haven't got a dozen.-- Cr. Scott : Well, if we had four.— Cr. Yon Stunner : But we haven't got four. 1 am convinced that it would be false economy to carry the amendment. There are many cases in which the brains of both solicitors will be required. By falsely economising we have lo>t larpe sums of money.— For the amendm-nt there voted only the mover and seconder, the rest of the councillors and the Mayor voting foi the motion. Recovery ov Rates.— Mr L. O Noill forwarded amount of rates recoveie 1 at the R.M. Court. He intimated that lie did not think it advisable to sue for anv.uvs in many cases, as in the great majoiitv they would get nuthing but barren judgments.— The Clerk said in many cases he had managed to recover arrears, but it took time. Many of the acres wens really not worth the trouble, as the sum to be paid in fees | and costs would amount to more than the land would realise if sold.— Some discussion I ensued, but no action was taken. [ Culvert. —Mr D. Salmon wrote askin? i to have n culvert put down in front of hi> premises in Anglesea-street.— Tho matter was left in the hands of the Works Committee, with power to act. Hospital Contributions.— The Secretary of the Auckland Hospital Board wrote reminding the coutcil that the sums of £36 9s Id f«>r Hospital, and £29 11s 4d for Charitable Aid wore still due, and a*kine for a cheque.— The Mayor said the council were aware that an amending Act had been passed, and as they had acted in conceit with the other local bodies in Waikato, he, as chairman of the committee of delepates, had convened a meeting to consider what steps should be taken in the matter. The Act provided for appeal in cases where it was not considered that value for contnbu tions had been received. He understood that it was likely the committee would recommend that a test case be taken to court. He moved "That a joint appeal be made by the Piako, Waik.ito, Waipa, and Raglan Counties, and the borough* therein, against the contribution demanded by tho Auckland District Hospital Board, as being most exorbitant, and not at all commensurate with the benefits received by the very few persons sent to tho District Hospital, and that the local bodies named express their dissent to such unreasonable charges by transmitting a copy of this resolution to the hon. the Colonial Secretary, requesting that he may direct an enquiry to be made in this matter as provided by subsections 1 and 2of section 44 of the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act, 18g5, "_ Cr Edgecnmbe thought the motion ought to be brought up at the meeting of delegates.— Cr. Yon Stunner thought any resolution should go from the council as a recommendation. — The Mayor said it would be necessary to have an expression of opinion.— Cr. Scott said the council had invested the delegates with full power in the matter. — Cr. Barton thought the resolution should be regarded as an instruction to the delegates.—Cr. Scott thought it would be sufficient to leave the whole matter in the hands of the delegates. If, however, they wished to resist the claim they should instruct the delegates accordingly.— Cr. Edgecumbe said they ought to act in concert with the other bodies.— The Mayor said the County of Waikato was in favour of resisting, as also wai the County of Raglan.— After some further discussion it was resolved, on the motion of Cr. Yon Stunner, "That no action be taken by the council in the matter of this claim, and that, at a meeting to be shortly called, the delegates of tho borough act conjointly with the other delegates in resisting the demands of the board." The Public Buildings.— Mr T. G. Sandes wrote, applying to be recommended as clerk of works on the proposed public buildings shortly to be erected.— Cr. Edgecumbe moved " That the letter be received, and that the council recommend Mr Sanden to the Government when the proper time arrives." — The Mayor wished toexplain that when in Wellington he had strongly urged the Government to employ local men, and he had personally recommended Mr O'Dea. —After some further discussion the motion was seconded by Cr. Tippen and carried, Cr. Scott only dissenting. Flood Dam us k. —The Town Clerk reported that Bradley's bridge was again in a very bad state, and, owing to a large hole having been worn in the approach, barricades had been erected at each end. — After some discussion, it was suggested that the Kirikinroa Road Board would assist.— Tho Engineor said he could toll them tho Kinkiriroa Road Board would not assist. — Finally it was agreed that the engineer prepare alternative estimates for a concrete culvert or wooden bridge, to be in by ne.\t meeting. Hood-htrkkt Lamp.— The Clerk ieportod that the lamp was in a very danger-

ous position. So\eral complaints rogarding it had been marie.-- Tho matter was referred to the Works Committee. Works Rki'okt.— The foreman reported that various small works had been carried out, and lecommended that certain repairi, &c, should be effected. He also drew attention to the state of the piles at the East end of tho traffic bridge.— Cr. Yon Stunner said he wan surprised to find no mention of the state of the Cook-street drain. The street at present was flooded. — Cr. Tippen said he had made a note of this matter, and would bring it up in due course.— The report was referred to the Works Committee with power to act.— Cr. Scott drew attention to the fur/.o nuisance on the footpaths, and it was resolvod that the clerk should give the necessary notices. BoiiouoH Endowments.— It was resolved to offer for sale the leases of all the cleared and ploughed endowments in Hamilton Bust, at the same upset price as the others, viz., 15s per acre, and on the same conditions as to improvements. Beautifying tub Borough.— The Mayor moved that Garden Place be fenced and planted, the matter to be left in the hands of the improvements committee. He said the road comprised about three .icres, and he understood that Mr Murray, head teacher of the West school, was willing to initiate the planting of useful trees by the pupils. The Town Clerk had written to Mr Cheeseman for cuttings of mulberry trees, etc. He also moved that the triangle between Knox, Victoria, and Granthamnreets be fenced and planted.— Cr. Tippen had no objection to the proposal, but he ' wanted to know where the money was to come from. If they were going in tor slaughter-yard*, drainage, etc., they would have no money for fencing parks, etc If they lavished their funds in this way they would have very bad roads next winter. — The Mayor did not think the expenditure would prejudice the borough, as everything that would tend t»o bring population was profitable.— The Clerk said the council was now some £400 in credit, with half the current rate to come in. — Cr. Scott seconded the motion. He thought the opposition came with bad grace from an East councillor, considering that a large amount of money had been spent in beautifying East Hamilton.— Cr. Tippen said ho must protest against this sort of thing. The council had voted £1000 for the improvement of lands in Hamilton, while £3000 was to be spent on public buildings in Hamilton West. Notwithstanding this, money had been taken from the £1000 for improving the parkland for drainage in Hamilton West, and he did not know when this sort of thing would cease. — Cr. Yon Stunner would be glad to support the Mayor, but considering the many calls now made upon them, and the lateness of the season, they might let matter stand over.— Several of the councillors expressed a desire to see the town beautified, and ultimately ltwas agreed, on the motion of Cr. Edgecumbe, leave the matter in the hands of the improvements committee, to report upon the cost at next meeting. Tho Mayor withdrew his motion. Markkt and Abiutoirs.— The Mayor moved that application be made for the vacant land near the Hamilton West railway station, with a view to the erection of public market, sale yards, abbatoirs, &c, &c, the whole council to be a committee to consider the matter, and report upon the name. The Mayor said the subject was a very important one. If Hamilton was to take up the position of a great agricultural centre they must offer. facilities to the farmers. No doubt it would involve considerable expense, but the money would be well spent. He had given the matter much earnest thought, and he was convinced that it wis the right thing to do. He had been assured by Mr Banks that it would be a great advantage to slaughter cattle in the Waikato. He entered at some length into the details of the scheme, and pressed it upon the attention of the council. — Cr. Yon Stunner seconded the motion, remarking that promises of support had been received from every district in the Waikato.— Cr. Scott thought it was not their province to erect abbatoirs. — Cr. Jones thought the council should have some guarantee from the farmers. — The Mayor said the resolution committed them to nothing. — After some discussion, .in which the action of the Mayor was warmly eulogised, the motion was put and carried unanimously. Stoats ash Weasels.— Thi Mayor moved that the council send a protest to the (io\ eminent against the importation of stoat*, weasels, ferrets, and other pe^ts. — Seconded by Cr. Jones, and carried unanimously. The Mayorfss's Silver Cradle.— Cr. Edgecumbe, having been voted to the chair, u.oved, in the absence of Cr. Knox. that the Mayoress be presented with a silver cradle. — Cr. Yon Stunner -^conded the motion. —The motion w.i-, carried, and a committee consisting of Crs. Kd^fcnmbe, Tippen and Scott, was appointed to make enquiries as to coxt, &c, and ro|x>rt at next meeting. — The Mayor, on resuming the chair, thanked the council for the graceful compliment they had paid the Mayoress. Directive Drainage.— Mr H. Quick wrote, drawing attention to the nuisance caused by water backing up against hi> fence.— Tho matter was referred to the engineer. Hamilton West Drainage. — With reference to the main drain, it was resolved that the council obtain an opinion fiom Mr Hay as to their liability in respect of covering tho present open drain. The engineer was also instructed to bring up a report on the matter. CooK-strekt T)rmn. — It was resolved that Cr. Tippen, in conjunction with the engineer, examine this drain, and report at the ne\t council meeting. After transacting some other business, chiefly of a routine character, the council rose. _____