HAMILTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13278, 10 September 1906, Page 7

HAMILTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

LIBRARY SITE AND DRAINAGE WORKS.'

At the "meeting of the Hamilton Borough \ Council on Friday evening a petition, bearing 262 ratepayers' signatures, was received, asking that a poll be taken on the question of i the site for the proposed library. In moving, "That the prayer of the petition be granted." Mr. Edgccumbe said the borough was practically borrowing the £2000 Carnegie grant, upon which they were liable to pay £100 per annum. The Mayor opposed the motion. He had had a sketch plan prepared, showing the area of the pre- . sent site. It was evident from the plan that the site was "insufficient. He did not think that the petition had come spontaneously; many who had signed would not have done 60 had they not been bothered to do so. It was true that they would have to contribute £100 per annum. The £100 for upkeep had been voted unanimously, and no objection was raised until the question of *tto arose. Mr. Edgecunibo said councillors had no rigid to claim that they possessed the brains of the community, and ignore the request for a poll. If the position were not analagou? to paying interest on a loan of £2000, he would not urge that a poll bo taken. The motion, on being put, was lost by five voles to four. The Drainage Committee of tho Council recommended the acceptance of the following tenders: — No. 1, pipe-laying, etc, Messrs. Andrews and (Jail; No. 2. pipelaying, etc., .Messrs. Andrews and Gall; No. 3, stoneware pines, R Fewell; cement pipe (12in and specials), Masterton Pipe Company; also that the engineer he authorised to engage the services of a clerk of works. The Mayor, in moving the adoption of tho report, said that the total cost of the work to lie undertaken would be £5500, which was well within the amount they were authorised to borrow. lie was disappointed, however, to find that the Government would only be able to advance £2000 per annum. This rendered the carrying out of the work impracticable. Ho asked permission to raise the necessary amount from the Bank of New ' Zealand. After expressions of dissatisfaction at the action of the Government, the Mayor was-granted the authority he asked.