HAMILTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12071, 15 September 1902, Page 6

HAMILTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

* ■ - — The usual meeting was held on Friday evening. Present: His Worship the Mayor (Mr. R. W. Dyer)., and Messrs. Day, Davty, Bend, Young, Coatcs and Parr. Noxious Weeds: The inspector of stock wrote calling attention to the neglect of the Council to clear noxious weeds off boroughlands. The Mayor said a considerable amount of work had been done _in the way of clearing. He moved, "That clearing should bo undertaken a* once." Carried. Interest: Mr. Ell. M.H.R., wrote asking the amount of interest on bank overdraft for the last 10 years. The clerk was requested to supply the information. Unimproved Value: Mr. Ell also wrote asking information as to rating on unimproved values and putting several crucstions. Tito clerk was instructed to furnish the information asked. Water Supply: Mr. H. 11. Metcalfe wrote that he was forwarding the plans for No. 3 contract. The castings, etc.. would arrive at the end of this month. He thought that if the work is pushed on it will be completed by the end of January. As it seemed probable that the water area wo<ild be extended at an early date he ha/1 touched on contingencies, and all available money to make the plant equal to a greater demand than was originally proposed, and had also carried a 6iti pipe down towards the bridge to provide for an extension in that direction. The plans were approved and it was decided to hold a special meeting to deal with I the business. .Surfaceman: Mr. franklin tendered his resignation as borough, surfaceman. The resignation was accepted. Several councillors spoke highly of the manner in which Mr. j Franklin had done his work, and tho clerk was instructed to thank him for his good j services. Legal and Finance Committee: The coin-mittc-c recommended that £15 be paid to the Library Committee on account of £30 subsidy; that the cost &>f ploughing Calloway reserve bo at lis 3d per aere; that no recommendation be made in connection with the balance of £2000 of the old loans for public buildings; that tho legal action against J. S. Edgoeumbe be brought again, and that Mr. Cotter be employed, and that j the £21 costs already incurred in the case bo paid. The Mayor moved the adoption of the report, with the exception of that portion referring to the £3000 loan. He said the committee had not been asked for a recommendation; they had_ simply been asked to make inquiries. No harm could have been done and the ratepayers would have an opportunity of voting on the question. Mr. Young seconded the motion and urged that a legal opinion should be taken. Mr. Bond moved an amendment that the report bo adopted as read. If they took tip this lean they would have to pay 5j per cent. If the pod to raise a loan were carried there would bo no difficulty in getting the money at a lower race. The amendment was carried. Works Committee: The. committee recommended that George Coombes bo notified that if his contract, is not proceeded with on the 15th ir*t. it will be cancelled; that the matter of forming and opening roads to Dr. Brewis' land be left to the Mayor and foreman; that applications be ; invited for the position of inspector of nuij sauces at a remuneration of £15 per annum. j The report was adopted. Subsidy: The Commissioner of Taxes notified that a subsidy of £76 5s 3d had been forwarded. Surfaceman's Report: This report stated that Mr. Vowiess' contract for sowing Galloway's reserve had been finished to his satisfaction; that repairs arc required to Cambridge Road from Albert-street to the boundary and from No. 1 bridge to Foulsham's corner. Forming was necessary in Brookfiekl-street. For this work Mr. McKnight had ottered to do the ploughing and other work gratis. Keport adopted. Finance: The clerk read the following financial statement: —Dr.: Balance August 5, 1302, £600 Is 7d; accounts passed for payment, £137 3s 5d : total, £707 ss. Receipts : Yard fees, £30; license fees, 10s; dog tax, £1: total, £31 10s. Balance, £675 15s. _ Endowment Committee: The committee recommended that lots 345 and 345, 353, 357, 200, 204. 282, and 233, Hamilton West, and 407 Hamilton East, be offered for lease; _ also, the building allotment, near Mr. Quick's; also, the lake reserve and lots 408 and 409 Hamilton East, and the three frontages of 59, the latter to have a uniform depth of 100 ft and a compulsory building clause for buildings valued at £100. Tho report was adopted. Rate : Tho rate of 3d in the £, struck at, last meeting, was confirmed, and the Mayor ami Messrs. Bond and Davey were authorised to sign tho rate-book. Saleyards : Mr. Bond asked for information as to whether the Hamilton saleyards were available for any auctioneer than those who ' at. present used them, and whether fees were I charged at so much per head? The Mayor ! said lie would look into the matter and give ' a reply. ■ Plumbers: The question of licensing j plumbers to top water mains was referred to the Legal and Finance Committee. Notice of Motion: Mr. Parr gave notice to move at next meeting, "That a poll of ' the ratepayers be taken to decide whether a ' loan of £30C0 should be obtained for til© purpose of erecting municipal buildings and , a town hall." i Domain Leases: The Legal and Finance < Committee recommended that the case 1 Hamilton Domain Beard v. ,T. S. Edgecnmbe i be proceeded with, and that, the services of , Mr. Cotter lie retained. The clerk read a , letter from Messrs. Devote and Martin, in which they stated, with regard to the appeal ' case, that they had not much hope of sue- ' ce=s, and had handed the case over to Mr. ' Baume in the hope that he might elicit some 1 new point.;. The Mayor .-aid the appeal < had been won on a technicalitythe substi- < tution of the King for the Council, and as i they bad won in the lower court they must 1 proceed with the case and have the question . of the leases finally settled one way or the j ether, audi lie moved accordingly. Mr. , Bond seconded. Mr. Young asked" why the , action had been cone on with in view of Mr. Martin's letter stating that, they had ' little chance. Tho Mavor said he had gone ' to Auckland and had consulted Messrs. Do- s tore and Martin, and left under the impression that Mr. Martin would appear. The •> motion, after further discission, was carried, t ■ 1