HAMILTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3081, 14 April 1892, Page 2

HAMILTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Thk monthly meeting of the above Council was held on Tuesday evening, There were present : His Worship the Mayor, Mr I Coates, in the chair, andCrs. Tipnin, Reid, Hlade, Scott, Wood, Sandes, Salmon and Bell. 'irjLocAti Bodies Audit Bill.—A copy of this bill which was received from the Colonial Secretary was referred to the Finance Committee. " Rival Soafs Again.—Messrs W. Allen and Co., wrote stating that they had no objection to paying a, royalty for sand taken from the roads, provided that Mr E. Pearson is charged a like sum, as he has been for the last three months and is still talcing sand from the roads in the Borough. The Clerk said that he believed sand was being taken from a street by Mr Pearson, but only so as to get an entrance into the property leased from the Council. The letter was received.

Resignation.—Mr P>\rr tendered his resignation, as through ill health he was unable to attend to the duties. The Mayor moved that the resignation be accepted with regret. Seconded by Cr. Wood and carried. Bobough Clock.—Mr J. B. Harker offered to repair the Borough clock, put a new dial to it and keep it in repair for two years for 10s. The offer was accepted. Auctioneers Licenses. —Messrs G. MeCullagb and John Knox applied for auctioneers' licenses, under the Auctioneers Act, 1891. Granted. Verandah.—Messrs Davey and Taylor applied for permission to erect verandahs in front of their premises in Victoria-street. Granted.

Graved.—The following letter was read from Mr T. Kirk with reference to the question of gravel :— Pukekohe, April 12th, 1892. To His Worship the Mayor and Councillors of the Borough of Hamilton. Sirs,—l regret very much indeed that I cannot as I intended, be present at your meeting this evoniug to lay before you more fully and clearly than I can do so in writing the following particulars of an arrangement made on the 7th ult. between Councillor Reid, Mr Hines (surfaceman) and myself for tha use of my acre, Lot 13, as a gravel pit, and the peculiar manner in which their part of the arrangement was carried out. Giving me to understand that they were authorised to do so, they arranged with me for a supply of gravel to surface over the clay in Victoria-street, which from

Mr Home's store to the Bank corner was then almost impassable, the price at so much per yard to be left to any experienced peraonjthfiy might name. They together with the Town Clerk proceeded to my plaee, tested the gravel by sinking a hole, and feeling sure, I suppose, that the seam extended into Lot 11, which is in line with my acre, straightway went to tha owner of that lot and settled for its purchase, thus ignoring altogether the arrangement made between us and causing me to have to abandon two acres adjoining it. which I had partly arranged to lease. This manner of dealing Rentlomen, I respectfully submit was most unfair to me as a burgess, and I consider I am only doing my duty in bringing the matter to your notice. —I remain, Sirs, your most obedient servant. Thom. Kikk.— The Mayor said that he knew something about this matter. When the works in Victoria-street were in progress ho told the Foreman of Works that he would have to get some gravel for the road as the sand that he was putting on was useless. The foreman asked him to go down and see Mr Kirk's gr.ivel, but as he was busy he could not go. He told the foreman to get Cr. Reid or Scott and the Town Clerk to go down with him.—The Town Clerk said he had a report on the matter, and it was then read as follows;— March 2tst, 1592. His Worship the Mayor and Councillors. Gentlemen, —I have the honour to report for the information of the Council that on Friday, 18th instant, in company with Cr. Reid and the Foreman of Works I wenc to see the trravel offered the Council by MiThomas Kirk, at threepence per had. Mr Hines tested the pit and found a seam of good coarse gravel, about fivo feet in thickness and he expressed himsalf satisfied that the gravel was worth the price iisked by Mr Kirk, especially as the Council were in urgent need of it to put upon the new formation in Victoria-street. A day or two previously Mr James Hume asked me if I knew of a purchaser for hi.-s nllotmnnt No. 11, next acre but one t> Mr Kirk's pr iperty and asked £10 for it. It occurred to me that if the gravel extended into this a!l"t----input it would be cheaper to socure it for the Borough at the £10 than to pay threepence per yard, a< 3d per yard on a five foot seam of gravel dUtiding over an acre eama to £100 about. I explained to Cr. Reid that Mr Hume would se'l it for £10, and tho Foreman tested tho acre in two places and found ns I suspected that gravel of an

equal quality exited n,, the acre. On this I asked Mr Hines tn .see His Worship the .vlay.r and l.y the facts before, |,irn and a,lsn inform him Lint [ intend:!.! seeing Mr Hume at once and securing the acre in tho meantime, which I did paying a deposit and getting n receipt in th'n name of the B ■■rnngh. Mr Hinos return'd having seen His Worship and brought a verbal message approving of my action, stating of course, that nn definite action oinding tho Council could be taken until tho question ha-1 come, before the Council at its np.xt meeting. I may further state fur the information of the, Council that tho icrn joins the back boundary of allotment No. 3,srj, a liorough Endowment with a frontage to thn main road, and will be of value to tho Bor ingh when the grave! is oxlnnistod.— l have the honour to bo, gentlemen, your obedient servant. C. J. W. Uahton, Town Clerk.—Cr. Reid said that some of the things in the report were not true at least they were misleading Jin would state the case as it occurred. The Foreman of Works came to him and said he had been sent by thu Mayor to get him (Cr. Reid) to go down and look at some gravel at Mr Kirk's. On the way they met Mr Kirk. After some conversation and reference to Mr T. G. Sandes, who said the gravel was worth 3d a yard, Mr Kirk said he would not make any arrangement, but they could inspect the gravel and make him an offer, and he would see if it wa» worth entertaining. He then went down with the Town Clerk and Foreman of Works, the latter of whom dug some of the gravel out The Town Clerk went away and inspected the other acres—No. 11 among them—and then called him (Cr. Reid) and the foreman over. They dug , some of the stuff up and found good gravel. They were coming away home when the foreman askod the Town Clerk if he would not see Mr Kirk's gravel. The latter then went and saw it. in the afternoon, about 3 o'clock, he was surprised to hear that the Town Clerk had purchased Lot 11 without even consulting him. He thought he had been made a tool of, and that it was sharp practice on the part of the clerk.—Cr. Sandes asked to what extent any agreement had been made with Mr Kirk.—The Town Clerk said that he knew of no arrangement with Mr Kirk. —Cr. Reid said they went down to approve or not approve of the gravel at Mr Kirk's, and had taken advantage of information given by Mr Kirk to get gravel adjacent to his place. They had also made a hole in Mr Kirk's place which they had not even rilled in. The Town Clerk had no power to purchase land on behalf of the Council, and he thought he ought to have been consultud in the matter. —The Mayor said that the Town Clerk had only done what he had instructed him to do ; he had sent word for him to purchase the acre. —Cr. Scott said he sympathised with Cr. Reid, as he appeared to have been placed in a false position. Mr Kirk nn doubt had lost 3d a load fo» his gravel, but the borough had been sa*ed a considerable sum by the prompt action of the Town Clerk. As councillors, they should do , their best for the borough. Me Kirk had leased some allotments on the other side of this one, and had wished tn lease this one. He thought the Council might allow Mr Kirk to fence in this acre and use it as a run with the others, and he moved to this effect.—Cr. Salmon seconded the motion.—lt was pointed out that the Council so far had got no title to this lot, and could not deal with it.—The motion then lapsed.—Cr. Sandes again asked what arrangement—if any— had been made with Mr Kirk, and in what manner it had been abrogated.—Cr. Reid explained that the foreman had come to him and asked him to go down, so as to take the responsibility off his shouldere. He understood the gravel had been purchased from Mr Kirk, but no price was mentioned. —The Foreman of Works said, acting on instructions from the Mayor, he offered Mr Kirk 2d per load for the gravel when in company with Or. Reid. Mr Kirk asked .'! I per load. Cr. Reid, the Town Clerk and himself Wbnt down to inspect the gravel, but no arrangement was made with Mr Kirk.—After hearing this explanation from the Foreman of Works, Cr. Tippin moved that Mr Kirk's letter be received.—Seconded by Cr. Wood and carried.—Cr. Sandes then moved that the action of the Mayor with reference to the purchase of allotment No. 11 he endorsed, and that the Town Clerk be instructed to complete the purchase as soon as possible.— Seconded by Cr. Salmon and carried.—lt was resolved that Mr Kirk be allowed to erect a fence enclosing Lot No. 11, if he required it. Baths.—Cr. Sandes moved that 103 per month be granted to Mr Hinton to look after the baths during the six months of the off-season.—Seconded by Cr. Wood and carried.

Dbpdtation*. —Mr Exelby, as a deputation from the Waipa County Council, attended and drew attention to the road running to Mrs Wright's property, which is over-grown with furze encroaching from Mr Jolly's property. Mm Wright, as she pays rates to the Waipa County Council, applied to that body, but the road was in the borough and under their control. The County Council had notified Mr Jolly to clear this furze, but they afterwards found that they had no power. Mr Exolby then withdrew. —The Clerk was instructed to notify Mr Jolly to clear the furze on the road.

Reports.—The Foreman of Works reported that during the month a new gr.ivel pit had been opened up at Hamilton West, chains of Victoria-street clayed and gravelled, a pipe culvert put in at Gallo-way-street, 80 fefit of curbing replaced in Gray-street, 45 chains of the Ohaupo road edges t*ken off and filled in, the watertables cleined out in Hamilton East, and several other works carried out. The following works require attention : —250 yards of grarel for the Ohaupo road, 240 yards for the Cambndse road, gravelling on Bridge-street, and Grey-street East, and the furze cutting on the domain drains.—The report wa3 received and adopted.—The dog registrar reported that since last meeting 17 dogs had been registered— two at 10i, and 15 at s*—the fees received being £4155. —The report was received.—The poundkeeper reported that during February and March 12 horses and 12 head of cattle had been impounded, and £3 15a received in fees.—The report was received.

River Walk. —The following report was presented on this subject :—Hamilton, April 12th, 1892.—Your committee have to reoort that, having examined the site of said road, they are of opinion that permission to construct the said road be granted, providing that no cutting be deeper than five feet, and that provision be made by drains or otherwise to carry off all surface water, so as to avoid dam.iee.—(Signed) Isaac Coatks, A. Scott, William Wood. —The Mayor said that he had inspected the work in company with Mr Home, aud he thought it could be made a very nice, attractive place. Some people said it would bocomo a rosort for bad characters, but this, he thought, was a reflection on the good character of the town. The work eould only be done under tho Council's •upervision, bnb at present they could not give anything towards the work, which would be more costly than the projectors thought. If it were well done, no doubt it would be a benefit to the place. He muted the adoption of the report.— Seconded by Cr. Salmon, —Cr. Sandes said the work could only bo done under the supervision of the Council, and they would then take control of the work, which in the future might prove very costly. Making a cucting on the face of the bank might endanger private property, and he would like the Council to consider how far their liability would go. The path would encroach on private property, he understood, and the Council could not give authority to do this. It was not probable that the Railway Commissioners would allow the path to tw taken under the railway bridge. Personally, he was not opposed to the walk, but he would like to see how far the Council would be liable afterwards. —Cr. Tippin said there was no more dangerous place to interfere with on the river bank, and the Council should act very carefully. He would strongly oppose the project.—Cr. Scott spoke warmly in favour of the walk, and said if the path were made it would prove of benefit to the place.—Cr. Bell movfld, as an amendment, that the consideration of the report be deferred for a month,—Seconded by Cr. Tippin and carried, tho voting being :—For : Crs. Bell, Ti|j|)in, Reid, Sladnand Sandes. Against: The Mayor, and Crs. Salmon, Wood and Scott. On the motion boing put, the voting was vice VHi'sa.

Payments.—Tho following accounts were passed for p.-.yment:—Hmvood, £1 U; (i Mayos, £1 18s ; T. Jones. £17 Is S.i ; Winter, £2 2s ; W. H. Kelly, £1 8* Cd : Frear. !)?; Taylor, 4s (M ; insiirance, 13s 0d; Downing, £1; ManktMow, £L tS.s: Carder Bros., £8 7-s 3d ; Cox, 8s ; Manning, 10s 7d.

Pillau B.ixks. —In accordance with notice of motion, Cγ. Scutt mnvod that this Counoil draw the attention of tho postal authorities to the urennt necessity there exists of havine letter pillars throughout the borough. He said it was a Ion? felt want, and many had long distances t> carry letters to post. Two boxes might be erected on each side? of tho river, —Cr. Salmon seconded,—Carried.