HAMILTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2326, 7 June 1887, Page 2

HAMILTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The usual monthly meeting of the council was hold at the council chambers last night. Present: Crs. Edgecumbe (acting-Mayor), Knox, Jones, Von Sturmer, Bell, Scott, Tippen, Dey and Barton. Installation of Mayor.—The first business of the meeting was the installation of the new Mayor, Mr C. J., W. Barton, who had been duly elected since last meeting of the council,' vice Mr W. A. Graham, resigned. Mr Barton was duly introduced by Crs. Knox and Dey, and on taking his seat said that he trusted he should be able to carry out the dutios of the position with satisfaction to the council and the burgesses generally, and with credit to himself. Protection op Boroughs.—A letter was road from the Auckland Borough Council asking the council to assist in the establishment of a Municipal Association of the whole colony, to watch over and protect the intrrests of boroughs.—lt was resolved to reply approving the scheme, and asking for further information as to matters of detail, cost of sending dele-, gates, etc. Railway Reform. — Mr E. Lake, M.H.R., wrote intimating that the council's petition in favour of railway reform had been presented.—The letter was ordered to be acknowledged with thanks. The Public Buildings. — A letter received from the District Engineer, aski lg if the site of the public buildings had been settled, was read, together with the answer sent by the actingMayor, Mr Edgecumbe, who intimated that the hill site had been agreed to by the councillors and the public meeting.—Cr. Scott wished to know by whose authority the telegram had been sent.—Cr. Edgecumbe said he had sent it on his own authority, with the assent of councillors.—Cr. Knox moved, "That the acting-Mayors action be confirmed."—Cr. Von Sturmer seconded.—Cr. Jones moved as an amendment, "That the site mentioned does not meet with the approval of the council. — This was seconded by Cr. Scott, but disallowed by the Mayor, as it amounted simply to a negative.—Cr. Tippen said he would merely remark that the District Engineer's telegram required an immediate answer, and the acting-Mayor did what was perfectly right.—Cr. Scott thought an extraordinary meeting of the council mi'dit have been called.—Cr. Jones said he did not wish to censure the acting-Mayor, but if he voted for the motion it would amount to an approval of the site.—The Mayor felt bound to say that a fair issue had not been put before Mr Blackott. Lot 50, which was the alternative site mentioned by Mr Hales, was never looked upon as an eligible site. On this ground he would vote against the motion.— For the motion there voted Crs. Knox, Edgecumbe, Tippen, Dey, Bell and Von Sturmer. Against, Crs. Scott, Jones and the Mayor.—Several other letters in reference to the public buildings were read, but they have all been published from time to time in these columns. Galloway-street.—On the application of Mrs O'Neill, it was decided to make some repairs to this street near her proMr W. Wyatt wrote, drawing the attention of the council to the necessity for effecting some improvement ontlmroad. He was of opinion that the road should be disc-harrowed.—Cr. Knox moved that the letter be received.—Cr. Jones seconded this.—Cr. Scott moved, and the Mayor seconded, that the request be granted.'—Cr. Knox thought the amendment was vague. His object was to refer the letter to the Works Committee. They must be careful how they spent their money.—Cr. Scott said the cost of this work would be very trifling. Cr._ls.nox had not made any objection to spending money ou Galloway-street.--Cr. Knox objected to councillors referring to a previous deb.ite.— Cr. Tippen wanted to know where the road led to.—Cr. Scott. : You'l go along it, some day. It leads to the cemetery (laughter). —Cr. Tippen said he would go in another direction.—Cr. Jones said the work concerned the Domain Board, which body had done the ploughing ; the road abutted on the domain land and was an approach to it. After some further discussion the amendment was put and lost.-Or. Knox then moved as a further amendment that the matter be referred to the works committee. —This was carried.—Or. Edgecumbe then moved as a further amendment that tenders be called for the work forthwith, and this was also carried.-"-Cr. T?ippen expressed his astonishment at this method of moving amendments, and laughingly threatened to move as a further amendment that the matter be. allowed to drop. He was quite certain that the proceeding was illegal.—No further discussion ensued. Employment of Day Labour.—Mr John Devitt wrote, applying for the next month s turn.—After some discussion, Cr. Tippen said it had been found so difficult to work the rota that the Works Committee determined to leave, the matter in the hands of the foreman of works.—The letter was received. Works Committee's Report.—l ho usual report of the committee, dealing wich various small works completed and m progress, was read and adopted. __ Appointment of Committers. — 1 he following committees were appointed :— Finance committee : The Mayor, Crs. Jones and Dey. Works committee: Crs. lippen, Edgecumbe, and Dey. Poundkeuper's Report.—The poundkeeper, Mr 1). Lees, reported that he had impounded 45 head of cattle during the month of May, and registered six dogs. making a total of 121 dogs registered in the borough. He had received in pound fees £1 lis, in paddock fees £1 7s 3d, and dogs HI 10s. He desired to recommend that Sydney Square be let for grazing by sheep, and offered to look after it on the same terms as the other paddocks.—The report was adopted, that portion relating to Sydney Square to be referred to the Domain Board. The Public Baths.—The following report was received from the bath-keeper : —" Hamilton, May 2,1887.—The Chairman Baths Committee : Sir,—Herewith I beg to hand over the key of the bath, Hamilton West, my classes having closed on Saturday last, and the attendance being too small to induce my undertaking the care-taking of the bath during the winter. With tins yon will also please find a report of the first fortnight's attendance at the baths. It will be observed that the attendance, notwithstanding the bath was opened so late in the season, was large, averaging 80J per diem—on one occasion there being oo bathers in the bath at the same time. I would respectfully suggest that your committee consider the advisability of extending the bath to meet the requirements of bathers, otherwise I feel quite confident that great inconvenience will be by those using the bath next season. The bath would require to be made as large again and the dressing accommodation doubled. Should your committee decide upon such extension, I would respectfully offer to lease the bath upon the following terms :—To be allowed to charge for each admission to the baths the sum of one penny ; to be allowed to issue season tickets—adults 10s, school children 2s Gd. The hours for bathing to be as advertised this last season, your committee conceding me two hours daily for the purpose of conducting a class for swimming. Subject to the above conditions, I will undertake the sole management of the bath, guaranteeing its cleanliness and all necessary attention to the wants of bathers, and pay your committee the sum of ten pounds for the first year, commencing on the Ist clay of October, ISS7, and ending on the 30th September, 1888, with a right to a renewal of lease at a rental to be hereafter agreed upon. — I am, Sir, obediently yours, Jos. G. Pannell."— The report was received, and the council went into committee to consider it.—Cr. Von Sturmer said they should make the baths self-supporting if possible. He thought they thould enlarge the West bath. He was one of those who advocated the erection of two baths, but he now acknowledged it was a mistake. He was of opinion that the best thing to do was to remove the East bath and join it on to that on the West side. This was tho best thing to do unless they were prepared to appoint another caretaker, as, if they allowed children to use the East bath they would be morally responsible for any accident. He would not make any motion, as it would be well to get an estimate of the cost of removing the bath first.—Cr. Tippen strongly objected to spending any more money on the baths. He regretted very much that they had ever built the baths. If the East bath was no use they should sell it for old timber.—Cr. Knox thought it would be well to use the East bath as a pound in the summer when water was scarce. He was of opinion that the bath should be placed underneath the bridge.— Cr. Von Sturmer moved that Mr T. G. Sandes bo instructed to furnish an estimate of Die cost of removing the East bath. — Cr. Edgecumbe seconded tho motion. — Crs. Tippen and Dey strongly objected to the employment of Mr Sandes, as they thought they had had enough of Mr Sandes in connection with the baths

already.—Or. Von Stunner said he was quite prepared to substitute Or. Tippen's name for that of Mr Sandes, —Or. Scott thought it would be well to allow the matter to remain in abeyance for the present.—Or. Edgecumbe said it was not intended to employ Mr Sandes to remove the bath, but only to give an estimate of the cost.—The Mayor spoke in favour of having one bath well looked after. —Or. Tippen moved as an amendment that the matter be left in abeyance. —Cr. Jones seconded this. —On being put to the meeting there voted for the amendment Crs. Dey, Tippen, Scott, Bell and Jones; against, Crs. Knox, Edgecumbe, Von Sturmer Ifand the Mayor.—Cr. Knox moved that the matter be referred to the baths committee with a request that they ascertain (1) the probable cost of removing, and (2) the cost of cleaning out the Hamilton east bath.—This was seconded by Or. Von Stunner.—-For the amendment there voted the Mayor, Crs. Knox, Kdgecumbc, Von Stunner and Bell; against, Crs. Tippen, Jones, Scott and Dey. The amendment wasj therefore carried.—Crs. Tippen and Doy said they, as members of the baths committee, would certainly decline to take any part in the matter.—Cr. Knox said they should bow to the majority and the Mayor thought they would alter their minds on thinking the matter calmly over.—On the council resuming, the proceedings in committee were confirmed. Annum, Rate.—On the motion of the Mayor seconded by Cr, Knox it was resolved to strike a rate of Is in £ on the annual value of all property in the borough for the cuerent year. Accounts.— Acccounts amounting to £G6 los were passed for payment and the council rose.