HAMILTON DOMAIN BOARD.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2563, 13 December 1888, Page 2

HAMILTON DOMAIN BOARD.

An adjourned meeting of the Hamilton Domain Board was held at the Borough Council Chambers on Tuesday evening, at 7-30. Present: Mr Isaac Coates (in the chair), and Messrs Knox, Tippen, Wood, Bell, von Stunner and Jones. Tendeus.—Tho following tenders were received for clearing the furze off sections Nos. 8, 9 and 10W. Andrew, £10; fx. Mayes, senr., £10; H. Kelly, £11 os ; C. H. Smith, £12 10s ; E. Wilson, £14; J. Goodwin, £18; G. Vowless, withdrawn.— Mr Knox moved that the tender of Gen. Mayes, senr., be accepted,—Seconded by the Chairman and carried. Sydney Square —A letter was received from Mr G. Edgecombe, asking the Board to reconsider their decision with reference to tho charge of £5 tor the use of Sydney Square on Boxing-day for sports.—The letter was received. Payment.—One account of J. Dixon for 18a for work done on the Park Reserve was passed for payment. Rangkk.—Mr Qualtrough and tho ranger being present, the Board proceeded to imestigate tho charges contained in Mr Quaitrough's letter, viz., that he (Mr Qualtrough) had been in the habit of putting cattle in Bradley's paddock, at the charge of 3d per head per night. On examination Mr Qualtrough stated that from the closing of the Lake Reserve until the night on which he had been charged Is 6d per head for his cattle, he had not put any cattle in Bradley's paddock. The ranger advised him to pay the Is 6d per head, and then apply to the Domain Board for a refund, and the Chairman of tho Board had also advised him to apply for a refund if the charge was unfair. He had put cattle in Bradley's paddockon two or three occasions, about twelve months ago, after he was stopped putting cattle in the Lake Reserve. Mr Knox moved that Mr D. Lees' position as ranger cease and determine from the time of his suspension.—Seconded by Mr Tippen —Mr Jones said that he thought the Board should exonerate Mr Lees from the imputations cast on him as publicly as possible, as the chargcs contained in Mi Quaitrough's letter had not been sustained. The ranger in explanation, stated that he had received what ho considered a very insulting letter from the Clerk, informing him of his suspension. He stated that up to the visit of the Auditor in August last, he had kept no details of the moneys received by him, and the only information as to such moneys that the Board received was from his monthly reports, and they had no check on him as to what he did with tho money received. The auditor at his inspection, told the Clerk that he could not audit the accounts from these reports, and instructed the Clerk to supply the ranger with proper receipt books. This was done by the Clerk, and he now handed in those receipt books, tho only ones ho had received from the Board. Tho ranger hero explained his method of keeping his accounts.—The Clerk stated that he did not consider it hip duty to give a collcctoi- the necessary books for collecting money.—Mr Knox, with the consent of his seconder, withdrew his motion.—Mr Knox mored that the verdict re the charges contained in Mr Quaitrough's letter bo "not proven".—Seconded by Mr Jones. —In reply to the Chairman, Mr Qualtrough said that he had no arrangement with the ranger as to putting cattle in Bradley's paddock at 3d per head. Tho motion was then pat and curried, Mr Wood alone dissenting.—Mr Knox moved that Mr Lees receive one month's notice as ranger.—Seconded by Mr Wood ami carried, Messrs Bell and Jones dissenting. MEETrNO.—As tho next ordinary meeting would fall on Christmas Day, it was decided to hold it on the Thursday following, tho 27th, at tho usual hour. This concluded the busmen?, and tho Board rose,