HAMILTON BOROUGH COUNCIL

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2497, 12 July 1888, Page 2

HAMILTON BOROUGH COUNCIL

The ordinary meeting of the Hamilton Borough Council was held in the Council Chambers at 7.30 on Tuesday evening. There were present: His Worship the Mayor (Mrjlsaac Coatos), in the chair, and Oral Knox, Sandes, Salmon, Wood, Missen. 8011, von Stunner and Jones, The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.

Mayor.—A letter was received from the Under-Secretary acknowledging receipt of letter notifying the olection of Mr Isaac Coates as Mayor. Legal Expenses.—A demand for £36 Gs 3d, expenses incurred in the suit O'Dea v. Graham was forwarded by Mr W. A. Graham.—Cr Knox moved that tho letter bo received. —Seconded by Cr. Jones and carried, Cr. Wood alono dissenting. Totalisator. —A petition from the Christchurch City Council praying for the co-operation of the Council in trying to abolish the totalisator was received.

Baths. —Mr J. G, Pannell, lessee of the baths, wrote, asking for the terms of the lease, and stating that he would pay the rent in instalments.—Cr. Knox moved that the matter be left in the hands of the Mayor and Town Clerk.—Seconded by Cr. Jones and carried.

Market-day.—Mr C. Hudson notified that he had in compliance with a request from the council, made arrangements for the issue of market tickets to Hamilton on Thursday, commencing from Thursday, sth July, instead of on Wednesday, as formerly.—Cr. Knox moved that the letter be received, and acknowledged with thanks. — Seconded by Cr. Salmon and carried unanimously. Lease. —The Town Clerk reported that Lot 407, borough endowment, had been leased to Mr H. A Cowper, at a price of 20s per annum, on the conditions approved of by the council. Public Library.—Mr J. G. Pannell, Hon. Sec. to the library committee, wrote, requesting tha council to take over the accounts and papers of the Hamilton Public Library, as the committee considered that their functions cease on the Libraries Act, 1869, coming into operation, and wished to hand their charge over to the council. —Cr. Knox moved that a committee consisting of His Worship the Mayor, Crs. von Stunner, Sandes, Salmon and Knox; and Messrs Geo. Edgecumbe, Parr and Pannell be appointed to take over the library, and act as a library committee. —Seconded by Cr. Missen and carried.

Surfaceman. —C. Carthy wrote, asking the conned to give him employment as surfaceman in the borough as soon as the time of the present surfaceman engagement expires.—Referred to Foreman of Works. Bokough Endowments.— Mr Thomas Ormiston wrote, requesting the Council to put lots 200, 20i and 211, borough endowments, up for auction, as he was anxious to lease them.—Cr. von Stunner moved that these lots be put up for auction on the same terms as lot JO7, the upset price to be 7s 6d per acre per annum.—Seconded by Cr. Salmon, and carried. Foreman op Works Keport.—The Foreman of Works reported that a number of necessary works had been done to the footpaths and streets, a new lamp had been erected at the Council Chambers, tho sweepings from the bridge carted to Sydney Square, and that the fencing of the piece of ground behind the saleyards was approaching completion. Having inspected the road near Mr Hunter's, he reported that there was no necessity to lay out any money on this road.—Cr. Bell moved that the report be received.—Seconded by Cr. Knox, and carried, Cr. Wood alone dissenting. Poundkekpkrs Report.—The poundkeeper reported that he had registered 7 dogs during the month, making a total of 146 since January, and there had been 3G cattle impounded. He collected the following moneys :—Pound fees, £1 7s ; park reserve, £3 9a 3d ; Hamilton East common, 4s ; Hamilton West common, Ofll ; dog fees, £115s. The report was received. Rate. —It was resolved to strike a rate of Is in the £ on the annual value on all rateable property in the Borough for the year Ist April, 1888, to 31st March, 18S9. Water-tables.—Cr. Knox moved that the matter of repairs to be done to the water-table in front of the Commercial Hotel, in Collingwood-street. be left in the hands of the Mayor, as chairman of the Works Committee, seconded byCr. Salmon and earried.-»Cr. Knox moved that a committee consisting of the Mayor, Cr. Wood, and the mover, be appointed to report at an adjourned meeting of the Council to be held on Tuesday, July 24th, as to the best means of convoying tho water from the road in frost of Mr Searaneke's property, Hamilton East. Seconded by Cr. Bell and carried.

Payments.—The following accounts were passed for payment :— Munro, 5s ; Parr, 2s Gd ; Maunder, £1 0s 10d ; Kelly, £3 0s !)d ; Waite, £1 9s (id ; Harwood and Home £4 18s 3d ; Lees, £3 7s 10.1 ; Jones, £7 Gs 9d ; Vincent, £1 4s; rent, £1 ; lamps, £1 16s; The Loan. —In accordance with notice eiven Cr. Jones moved that a poll of the burgesses be taken to obtain sanction to transfer £1000 from the £4000 deposit in the Bank of New Zealand to the Council's general account for the purpose of paying off the present overdraft, and the balance if any to be used for general purposes, and that the remaining £3000 be returned to the Government and debentures taken up at the expiration of the term for which it was deposited.—Seconded by Cr. Wood.— Cγ Knox asked Cr. Jones to defer the matter for a year or two but the latter refused to do so and thequestion was put, the voting beiug. For the motion: The Mayor, Crs Jones, Wood and Bell. Against: Crs. Knox, Salmon, von Sturmer, Sandes and Misaen. The motion was declared lost.

Valukr. —Cr. von Stunner in pursurance with notice given, moved that the balance of the cost of the Borough valuation £5 due to Mr Gaudin, be paid by this Council, seconded by Mr Bell. Cr. Knox said he would oppose the motion for if the Council granted this sum they would be doing an illegal act, as by resolution at a meeting held on No\ember 11th, 1887, £10 was the sum voted for the valuation, and Mr Gaudin agreed to accept that sum. The motion was put to the Council and lost, the voting being for the Mayor, Crs. von Stunner and 8011, against Crs. Kuox, Sandes, Salmon, Wood, Missen and Jones. Retrenchment.—The Mayor moved that the Town Clerk's salary be reduced to £125 per annum from date. —Cr. von Sturmer seconded the motion, but said that he intended to vote against it.—Cr. Knox and Salmon both spoke in favour of retaining the Town Clerk at his present salary, and Cr. Wood said that for the work that was to be done, he thought the officer would be well paid at £2 per weak.—The Mayor then put the motion, the voting being as follows; for: the Mayor, Crs. Wood, Jones and Bell; against: Ore. Knox, Sandes, Salmon, Missen and von Sturmer. The motion was declared lost, and the clerk is retained at aame salary, viz., £150 per annum.—Cr. Jones, with the consent of the council, withdrew his motion for reducing the salary of the foreman of works, and the council adjourned to Tuesday, July 24th.