CAMBRIDGE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3102, 2 June 1892, Page 2

CAMBRIDGE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

« ADJOURNED SPECIAL MEETING. THE adjourned special meeting of the abore Council was held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday. Present: The Mayor (Mr Jas. Webber), Councillors Hally, Priestley, Bach, Bond, Kerr, Roberts, Kincaid, and Moisley; this comprised the whole of the members. The business was to cuisider a report of the Legal and Finance Committee re the duties etc., pertaining to the office of Town Clerk. There were several clauses in it which were discussed seriatim. The following is a brief synopsis of the clauses:— (1) That one month's notice terminate the engagement of town clerk: (2) That the office hours be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 2 p.m. to 5 p m. on Tuesdays and Fridays in each week ; but tho clerk will also have to attend all special and committee meetings of the Council whenever or wherever held: (3) The clerk to be Borough Treasurer : (4) Gave the duties of the clerk, comprising amongst other items, valuer, and clerk to the Licensing Committee, collector, etc., etc: (5) The clerk to give security for £100. Other clauses provided for stationery, postage stamps, etc., being furnished by the Council. The clerk then retired while the question of fixing thi salriry or calling for tenders was discussed. —Or. Bond proposed that the salary bo not fixed but that tender? be called for the work. He thought that would bo the fairest way to all. —Seconded by Cr. Roberts.—Or. Kirkwood moved as an amendment that the Council fix the salary of the clerk, but in addition, u commission for cillccting rates be given.—Seconded by Or. Kerr.—The amendment was carried by six j to four, the voting being, for : Crs. Priestley, Hally, Kerr, Kincaid, Kirkwood and Bach ; against: The Mayor, Crs, Roberts, Moisley and Bond.—The salary was the next subject discussed, and Cr. Bond moved that the salary be lixed at £40, which with commission would make the remuneration about £52 10s. —Seconded by Cr. Roberts. —Cr. Bach moved ax an amendment that the salary be fixed at £50 plus the commission. It was only about a year since it was proposed to increase the salary.— Cr. Kirkwood seconded tho amendment aud said it was well worth £00 and commission. —Cr. Priestly suggested fixing it at £45 plus the commission.—Considerable discussion ensued when the amendment wiis put and lost on the casting vote of the chairman.—Cr. Priestley then iroved au amendment that the .-alary b° £45, plus commission.—Seconded by the Mayor.— On being put this was lost by nix to four. The original motion was then put and lost by six to four, so matters had arrived at a climax no salary haviug beeu fixed.—Cr. Priestley then moved that the salary he £4G.—Seconded by Cr. Bond.—Cr. Keir proposed an amendment that it be £4S.— Seconded by Cr. Kirkwood. —The amendment was lost by the casting vote of the chairman.—The Council having spent a good hour in voting, and having at length fixed the salary at £40, it proceeded to consider a letter from the town clerk asking tho Council to rescind the resolution passed at a previous meeting dispensing with his services. This of course could not be done at this meeting, but Cr. Priestley suggested that the matter should be dealt with at a special meeting to bs held on the 14th iust, and his suggestion was adopted. [Subsequently arrangements were made which wo are happy to state will lead t-> the present town clerk continuing to Hold office, and w<) do not doubt but that he will do the u'erk to the satisfaction of all concerned. We sincerely trust that this will be the conclusion of what has been a most unpleasant piece of business. |