HAMILTON BOROUGH COUNCIL

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 2926, 16 April 1891, Page 2

HAMILTON BOROUGH COUNCIL

Thb monthly meeting of tbe Hamilton Borough Council was held on Tuesday evening in the Borough Council Chatnbors. There were prnsent—His Worship the Mayor (Mr I. Coates, in the chair), and Councillors Duy, Bell, Slade, Wood. Scott, Jones, Tippen, and Reid. Dor Tax. —Mrs Tiimble complained that the dog registrar had made a demand on her for dog tax for a dog which was dead. She had had tho dog in January, but it had died some time before the registrar had called to register it. She also complained that in making the demand he had used very uncivil and blasphemous language which was becoming unbearable. She offered to leave the question as to whether she is liable to pay tax for a dog dead some time ago with the Council and to abide by their decision.—Cr Jones said that the Council employed a dog tax collector, and if ho had committed himself in any way Mrs Trimble had a legal remedy. He moved that the letter be received. Seconded by Cr Wood and carried, Cr Tippen alone dissenting.—The town clerk stated that Mrs Trimble had given him the five shillings, and he asked what course he should take.—The opinion of the Council was that he should hand the money over to the dog tax collector, against whom she could take action if the money was illegally received.

FuitZß. —Mr Heywood asked why he had been ordered to clear furze on the road fronting the Galloway street reserve while tenders had been called for clearing the furze on the other half, adjoining the reserve rented by Mr Isaac Coates. —The Mayor explained that the reserve was not rented by Mr Coatcn, but Messrs Coatee and Metcalfe rented the grass for nine months.—Cr Bell moved that the ; town clerk write to Mr Heywood explaining the position. Seconded by Or Jones, pro forma. —Cr Scott moved that this matter be left to the Legal Committee to report on at next meeting. Seconded by Cr Tippon.—On tha amendment heing put, the voting was :—For: Crs Jones, Wood, Scott, Sliide, Tippen, and Reid. Against: The Mayor, and Crs Dev and Bell. The voting for the motion being vice versa, the amendment was declared carried. Wages.—The foreman of works applied for an increase of wages, as the present rate of wages is not commensurate with the amount of Work and the responsibility of the position.—Cr Tippen moved that tho wages be increased from os Gd to Us Gd. Seconded by Cr Reid.—Cr Jones said that if the prospects of the Horough warranted it he would have great pleasure in supporting the motion, but as they were at present he would move that his wages remain as at present. Seconded by Cr Wood.— Cis Bell, Scott and l.)ey supported the motion. The amendment being put, the voting was—For: The Mayor and Cm. Jones ;md Wood. Against: Crs. Scott. Slade, li-iid, Bell, Tippen and Dey. The votir.g for Cr. Tippen's motion was vice versa, and the motion was declared carried.

Baths.—Mr Joseph Hinton, caretaker of the Hamilton West bath?, asked that the Council make him some allowance as bathkeeper as the season having been a bad one he had not averaged Is Gd per day, and this was ail he. had to depend upon fora living. Cr. Wood suggested that tho Council give him the baths. Cr. Tinpeu moved tint the £2 due for rent of the^ baths be remitted. Seconded by Cr. Scott and carried.

Culvert*.—lt was decidod to put a culvert under the water table at the approach to Mr Qualtrough's property in Victoria street.

Works Report.—The foreman of works reported that there was a daneerous place near Mr Vincent's in Anglesea street, which requires a sot of 18in. pipes. Various sets of pipes were laid during the month and drains cleaned out. A few loads of sifted gravel are required at the West end of the Traffic Bridge, and the main dram in Hamilton East requires cleaning out- Tho report was adopted, the works already authorised to take precedence. Pau.SDKKEPKit's Rkpokt.—The poundkeeper reported that during the past, month only 12 horses had been impounded, and £1 Is. collected in fees. The report was adopted. Dog Reoistkau's Report.—The Dog registrar reported having registered ."> dogs since last meeting, the fees being £1 10s.

Municipal Reform.— The following report on tin's question was presented by the committee:—Your Committee considered the various matters submitted by the Wellington City Council, and consider the various amendments suggested to be in the right direction with the following exception, namely, that the Act be not altered in regard to defining the width of streets ; I that the present mode of election ot mayor be not altered ; also, that a clause be inserted in the Act making general rates and all expenses incurred in the eradication of fune more easily recoverable without process of law. Your committee do not agree as to the advisableness of altering the mode of fixing the value of property. The committee leave to the Council the question of appointing a delegate to attend the proposed conference at Wellington. After considerable discussion, it was decided to add the following to tho report: That clauses be inserted in the Act compelling all ownere of land to clear the furze, &c, in front of their property without any proof as to where it comes from ; to enable the Council to recover from the land of absentees any costs incurred in clearing the furze on the road fronting such property ; and that all hawkers, whether selling from samples or otherwise, be liable to pay a fee for the privilege. -After considerable discussion, the report was deferred t'j next meeting for further discussion. Accounts,—Payment of the following accounts was ordered :—Winter, 13s ; Manktelow, 7s Gd ; lUs ; U. Mayes, £1 los 3d ; T. <}. Sandes, ill 11s tid ; Doy, 4s Gd ; total, £5 '.Is l)d. Fukzh.—The Clerk was instructed to call for tenders for grubbing all furze on roads fronting borough endowments, to be in on April 28th. the Mayor being authorised to deal with them. The Clerk was instructed to proceed against any persons he thinks liable for not complying with the Public Works Act in clearing the furze on the roads fronting their property. TISDAtL-STRKET.—Cγ. Bell moved that Tisdall-street be at once gravelled from Knox-street to the bridge.—Seconded by Cr. Jones and carried. Mayor,—Cγ. Bell asked why the Alnyor had/n//t acfed as a Justice of the Peace ftlnse his' instaflatfoij.— The Mayor said ihat he had noj been sworn in for p\yo years, and he wan now objected In by jtyr Kirk as a Juetice of the Peace.—The Glsri; was instructed to write to the Minister of Justice asking the cause of this omission.