HAMILTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2566, 20 December 1888, Page 2

HAMILTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

TllK adjourned meeting ot the Hamilton Borough Council was held in the Council Chambers at 7.30 last evening. Present: Civ. Knox, Tippen, Salmon, Misson, von Stunner and Jones.

Chaiujun. —In the absence of His Worship the Mayor, Cr, Ktinx was elected chairman on tho nvrtion of Gr. Salmon, seconded by Cr. von Stunner. Bu. \nck-shkkt. — The statement of Borough accounts to March 31, 1888, were received back from the Audit Office, certified to as correct by the Auditor and Controllor-Generul, and were read by the Clerk. (Owing to pres.-ure on our space we are compelled to hold over a copy of the statement to next isMie.)—Proposed Cr. Jono-< that the accounts as audited be passed.—Sconded by Cr. Salmon and carried.

Public Works Act.—The following report was read by the committee appointed to report with referenoo to the proposed Public Works Act Amendment Act : —

"Your committee have the following report to make in re the proposed Public Works Act Amendment Bill: —They would suggest with reference to the clauses bearing on the furze, briar and bramble nuisance that the words "grubbing up" be retained in the provisions made for clearing gorse, briars and brambles on the .sides of public roads, as simply to cut flmwn and remove the same, without grubbing up the roots, would not eradicate the plants, and would necessitate the £oing through the same process every third year. They object to clause 10, whereby the provisions of compulsory destruction of furze, briars and brambles other than buna fide hedges can be exercised, for three reasons. 1. That it would be an unwarrantable interference with the rights of property. 2. That it wimH be a useless harassment of land owners or occupiers, inasmuch as the nuisance would spread, not from the interior area of the land, but from the outer hedges, which the Act would still permit to exist; and also because if the local bodies had to incur the cost of clearing furze, briars and brambles on the lands of absentees or on those (if owners and occupiers neglecting to do so after legal notice, they are not in a position to lay out the necessary capital to make any material headway in enforcing the Act, and thirdly because the Act is made to refer neither to the lands of the Crown nor of thoto of the natives. And we would further suggest that the lands of the Crown and natives be brought under the operation of Section 15 of the Public Works Act 1882 Amendment Act 18S4. and that owners of lands whero the furze spreads from their lands to adjacent lands of other owners be compelled to abate the nuisance the same as in the case of its spreading on adjacent roads.—(Signed) V. J. von Si'uii.MKit, \V. .Tonus, 0. ITuh'en, John Knox. The report was received and adopted.

Wokks Report.—The report of the Foreman of Works stated that during the past month the gully boxes had all been cleaned out, several new culverts had been built, the curbing had been repaired in Hamilton East, the furze had been cut on several Borough roads, and several other minor works carried out.—The report was adopted.

Notices of Motion.—ln accordance with notice given, Cr. Woods moved that all goods purchased by authority of tho Council or town clerk for the u«o of the Borough, all cost or prices of such goods, materials, tools, or any class of merchandise be produced in the form ot a bill of cost from the persons from whom such purchases ire made for tho purpose of the inspection of the Council at each meeting of the Council.—Seconded by Cr. Salmon pro forma.—The clerk reported that he had instructions from the Mayor to the effect intended by tho motion, and with the consent of his seconder, Cr. Wood withdrew his motion.—The Chairman, at the request of His Worship the Mayor, moved the resolution standing in his name, viz., that resolutions No. S of the Oth October last, ordering that pipes be laid at the drain opposite the saleyards be rescinded.—Seconded by Cr. Salmon and carried.

Meeting.—lt was resolved that tho next meeting of the Council be held at 2 p.m on tho 28th inst.

Inteukeiiesce.— ln consequenee of certain persons taking the gates off the saleyards and making use of the yards, it was resolved to prosecute any crie in future meddling with Borough property.

Holidays.—lt was decided to close the Borough offices from Monday to Wednesday next, both inclusive.

This concluded the business and the Council i-o^e.