HAMILTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2721, 19 December 1889, Page 2

HAMILTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Installation of Mayor. A special meeting of the Hamilton Borough Council was held at the Council Chambers at norm, yesterday. Thero were present: The Mayor (Mr W. Jotie.s, in the chair], Crs. Parr, Scott, Wood, IXivey, Bell and Salmi n. The Returning OtHcer notified tho election of Mr I. Coates as Mayor. Crs. Bell and Davey introduced Mr Coates who made the usual declaration, and on taking his seat was congratulated by the retiring Mayor. His Worship, in reply, said :—I thank you gentlemen for the honour you have conferred on ina in electing inn to the position of Mayor for the third time, and I hope that your confidence has not been misplaced. At present lam in the same position as when leaving this chair. I consider that the Mayor should ba Chairman of the Works Committee, an that person represents the Executive of the Council; while the Mayor is chiefly responsible for the expenditure of the Borough and if anything goes wrong the whole blame is thrown on him, he is also more directly respunsible to the Bank for the overdraft. When tho time comes I will give notice to rescind the motion with reference to the chairman of the Works Committee and I hope I will be supported. Since last year there have beep considerable improvements effected in the Borough, notably R isstrever-stieet and the Piako road. These works reflect great credit on the contractors and the engineer under whom thny have been carried out, and also on the place. The furzo question is one of great importance. Hamilton could bo made ono of the prettiest places in the Island, and we should endeavour to do it. The furze on the streets in the Borough is a great eyesore, and we must have them all cleared. At the time I left the Council there wi>s a notice in my name dealing with this question, and I will bring the same forward again at the earliest opportunity. I think that Hamilton is one of the most desirable places in the North Island to live in, and as showing my faith in the future prospects of the place, I may say that I have invested all my money in it The town is now growing to some importance and I hope that one and all will assist in carrying out tho di'inty of tho chair, and pay a little more attention to the standing orders than has been done hitherto. I regrot that our overdraft is a little higher than it was twelve months ago. With regard, to the money £4000, at a fixed deposit. The time expires in August next, and there is n resolution on the books that the money is to be sent back, six months notice to be given in February next. It is, I think, worthy of consideration whether we should not retain £1000 of this money and utilise it in wiping off our over draft. To do this, of course, it will be necessary to take a poll of the ratepayers. The interest question is a big one, every year £40 is being lost on the monuv at fixed deposit, and there is almost £00 for interest on the overdraft. As well as these sums there is £30 for tho Domain Board's overdraft, and it would, I think, ba advisable to consider the wiping out of this also. His Worship after again thanking the Councillors took his seat. Cr. Parr in welcoming His Worship back said : Hamilton is to be congratulated on having elected Mr Coates again as Mayor,

and I hope that we will all work harmoniously together, o£ eoiir.sß there will be some slight differences of opinion, but that need not create illfeel ing. 1 reciprocate the sentiments expressed by His Worship as regard* getting out of debt, but at present I am not in favour of retaining the £1000, to wipe out the overdraft for as soon as that is done another may grow up. Tho furze is a great eyesore to the place, and also very dangerous as was instanced .1 few days ago. We should usu our best endeavour's to have it eradicated. The work of the Borouf h must be carried out as economically as possible, and the townmirta attractive. With regard to the Works Committee, I think that it is necessary that tho head of the Council should be at the head of tho Works Committee, and I will support the motion to that effect when it is brought up. I have much pleasure in wishing His Worship good health and success during the coining year. Cr. Salmon concurred injthe remark's of the last speaker. Cr. Scott: As oue of the youngest Councillors as regards term of office at this table, I am very pleased to welcome His Worship back to the Mayoral chair. There are some people in the town who are trying to set the Mayor and Councillors at variance. Lately a paragraph appeared in the Country news of the Herald, stating that it was the intention of several of the Councillors to absent themselves from the installation ceremony, so as to prevent a quorum being formed. Such statements as these are very much to be deplored, as there ia no such feeling against the Mayor, and every member of this Council has the greatest respect for him. With reference to the £1000, Councillors would like a guarantee that if the overdraft is wiped off, that it will not bo renewed. (His Worship ; I think the Bank will arrange for that.) Cr. Wood v/elcomed his Worship, and said that no one had touched on the important question of drainage. The drainage of Hamilton has never been properly carried out, and soma steps should be taken to do this as soon as possible. Cr. Bell thought that the Mayor should occupy the position of chairi.nan of the Works Committee. Cr. Jones, as one of tho parties who voted on this question said, I have no objection to the Mayor being Chairman of the Works Committee, but I do object to the Committeti consisting of the whole council, and tho power being in the handsot mia man. Cr. Davoy : It has not always been the custom for tho Mayor to be Chairman of the Works Committee, as Cr. Tippen held that position for some yoars. Those present here adjourned to the Commercial Hotel, and afterwards to the Hamilton Hotel, where the Councillors, on the invitation of the Mayor, 'vere entertained at luiicheou.