CAMBRIDGE BOROUGH COUNCIL

Waikato Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1557, 15 May 1903, Page 2

CAMBRIDGE BOROUGH COUNCIL

INSTALLATION OF MAYOR. Ox Wednesday evening the abive Council met at tlio Borough Chambers at 7 p.m. There were present: His Worship the Mayor, Mr VV. 1\ Bucklaud; the Mayor-elect;, Mr Thus. Wells; Messrs 0. VV. Arnold, G K. Clark, R. Davies, C. Boyce, G. Dickenson. James Hally, C. Roberts, F. J. Sanders and E. J. Wilkinson, who have been elected to fill the olfice of Couuci lors of the Borough. These gentlemen having made the usual declaration, The Mayor gave a short resume of the work done in the borough during th« three and a-half years he has occupied the civic chair. He pointed out that the year he took oliice the rates of the borough only amounted to £23-1, but they had risen gradually and during the present year they hud reached £3OB. He believed the valuation of the borough would still increase, and that ere long it would double what it now is. The financial state of the borough was practically llie same as when he took oliice, but they must all be aware that the sum at the disposal of the Council was not sufficient, and if they would improve their town they must be prepared to strike a higher rate. They had an average o! £7O per annum to pay to the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, £SO for maintenance of the bridge, in addiliou to Licensing Committee expenses and other outside things ; and they must cater in the borough for those outside of it. There were several matters that urgently needed attention, aud one of the most important was the obtaining a supply of metal for their roads, for there was practically no good gravel left. Then there were new bylaws required: building regulations; and a better system of sanitary inspection. One matter, that in his opinion, needed special attention was cattle and horses b ing allowed to run on the streets ; when he left home that evening there were about 18 cows in the street adjoining his property; and now they were improving the Borough by asphalting the streets, they should not allow animals to damage the work. He trusted the highlevel bridge over tile Waikato at the toot of Victoria Street would be pushed forward with all speed, and in connection with this he said a telegram had been received stating the strike in America was not likely to interfere with the contract price quoted by an American firm for the bridge. (Applause.) The waterworks scheme was practically completed, and he believed there would be a surplus of about £l5O. A good number of the inhabitants were now taking the water, but he believed that by this time next year there would not be one inhabitant who would not use it. He thanked the Councillors for their courtesy to him during his term of office J he was sorry to quit the office for some reasons, but for other reasons he was glad to do so, for he could not afford the time. He believed there was a great future before the town and that they were on the eve of great prosperity, and he was sure that in Mr Wells they would have a Mayor who would do his utmost lor the good of the Borough and its inhabitants geueraliy. He then installed the Mayur~elect in the civic chair. The first thing the newly installed Muyor did was to move a hearty voce of thanks to the retiring Mayor, for the able manner in which he had conducted the business of the Borough during the past three years, which was carried by acclamation. Mr Buckland briefly acknowledged the compliment after which he retired. LJefore proceeding with the ordinary business of the meeting, the Mayor thanked those who had requisitioned him to allow himtelf to be nominated for the office. He said he had served the town in many offices since 1579, when he was the recipient of a similar requisition to serve the town in a lesser ■ apacity, which document he exhibited When the Town District Act came into force in 1881, he was elected chairman of the Buard ; he had been elected chairman of the Domaiu Board no 1-as than 28 times ; and now he was made Mayor ; a mark of appreciation he thanked them for. He complimented the Councillors ou being returned, and said it was his desire to work amicably with everyone. He intended devoting himself to the affairs nf the Borouch as much as to his own business. Among the things he would advocate during his term, if rime permitted, would be the erection of the high-level bridge, permanent improvements to the streets and footpaths, the prevention of fires, the further development of the water system, and an improved system of drainage. The ordinary monthly busimss was then proceeded with, but that we must hold ovtr until to-morrow.