HAMILTON DOMAIN BOARD. HAMILTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2305, 19 April 1887, Page 2

HAMILTON DOMAIN BOARD.

HAMILTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The usual monthly meeting of the. Board was held last night. Present: Mr W. A. Graham (chairman), Messrs Knox, Dey, Tippen, Scott, Bell, Von Stunner, Barton, anrl Jones.—The Cemetery Road Committee reported that they had given Mr Hugh Kelly £4 for domain land taken from him for the purposes of a road, and the action was confirmed.—Mr Thou. Jolly wrote claiming compensation for damage done to his property by the board contractors when burning off furze. The letter was received, it being accepted by the board that the contractors were reponsible. A contractor for clearing domain lands wrote, asking for extra payment as he had taken the job too low. The members regretted that they were not in a position to give relief and the letter was received. It was resolved that the secretary apply to the secretaries of the Hamilton Sports Committee and the Fancy Fair Committee for one fourth of the money. received for entrance to Sydney Square during Christmas week, failing payment within fourteen days the matter to be placed in the hands of a solicitor. Mr Barton applied to purchase a number of 12-inch pipes, the property of the board, now lying at the rear of the council chambers. They were required to drain the racßcourse at Claudelands.—Mr Tippen objected to the board becoming retail dealers in pipes. They would want the pipes from time to time, and if they sold them they would perhaps be difficult to get.—Messrs Jones and Knox were in favour of selling the pipes as they were simply dead stock. After some further discussion, the application was granted.—An account of Mr Proctor, for work done, was referred to the chairman of the Improvement Committee, with power to pay the money when he lias satisfied himself that the work has been done. This was all the business.

A special meeting of the council was held last night for the purpose of receiving the sketch plans of the public buildings drawn out by the Government, and to determine what action should be taken in regard to them. The Mayor referred to his visit to Wellington, and said the plans now before the council were there for their approval. If they were acceptable fie Government would prepare working plans, and send an engineer up to prepare the, site. Their first duty iv;i< to dec de what they would do in regard to the buildings. The material of woi'-h 1 tlie building, was to be constructed was to In; left' to t,lie council. The Government ware willing that it should be either brick or concre'-e. The plan before them wis of a building estimated to cost about £4309, leaving £700 for preliminary charge*, p -epinng c'.ie ground, making approach roads, &e.

A conversational discussion then ensued as to which material would provide the m i.-t employment locally. A fear was expressed by Or. Jones that soma Auckland man would get the job, and the local people would only bf) required to do hodman's work, &c. Mr Knox thought concrete would afford the most employment, but Cr. Von Sturmer said hi had it from a contractor that it would be cheaper to bring scoria from Auckland than to screen the gravel at Hamilton. Ultimately it was resolved, on the motion of Cr. Knox, that the plans be approved. It was agreed to defer the question of material until the Government engineer arrived, when the matter could be discussed with him. It was decided to telegraph to the Government, stating that the plans bo approved, and asking that the engineer ba sent as soon as possible to lay off the ground.

The Mayor then announced that, as it was probable be would have to proceed to Europe shortly, and as he would require leisure to look after his private affairs, he felt it necessary to tender his resignation.

The councillors generally expressed regret that the Mayor should have deemed it requisite to take this step, and on the motion of Or. Knox, seconded by Or. Von Stunner, it was resolved that in the interests of the borough the Mayor be granted leave of absence at any time he may see fit, and that he be requested to withdraw his resignation. In speaking to the motion Or. Knox said, in view of His Worship visiting Europe, it would be to the interests of the borough and the country generally that he should continue to hold his position as mayor ; as he would thus be enabled to act as the accredited representative of Hamilton.

It was further resolved, on the motion of Or. Knox, than in the event of the mayor leaving for Europe he be requested to have a nomination paper duly 3igned, in order that he might be re-elected during his absence.