Cambridge Borough Council.

Waikato Independent, Volume XVIII, Issue 1403, 24 January 1914, Page 5

Cambridge Borough Council.

ORDINARY MEETING

The above Council met last evening, there being present -His Worship the Mayor, Mr M. Wells, Ore. S. Cowling, T. Middleton, W. Care, H. A. Bell, 0. H. Bycroft, S. and R. W. Hunter.

The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed.

The outward correspondence was read and approved. Mr J. F. Brooks, secretary Baud Citizens’ Committee, wrote extending a hearty invitation to the Mayor, Councillors and staff to attend the annual meeting of the Cambridge Brass Band. —Accepted. Mr R. H. Brady applied for the issue of an, auctioneer’s license, and enclosed cheque.— Approved. The Finance Committee reported that the District Fund account showed a debit balance of £3874 3s 3d.

The Mayer explained that their position was not so favourable as estimated at the beginning of the financial year, being about £4OO below the figure estimated. He said there had been a loss on working the gas and water plants owing to inability to cope with the growing demand. About £240 had also been expended on street improvements. When the loan money was available for these necessary works there would be ample plant for dealing with these matters in a cheaper mannerThe Borough Treasurer was instructed to prepare estimates and expenditure for the period ending with the financial year'. The Borough Engineer submitted a lengthy report, covering the departments under his control. • -The Mayor explained to councillors several.points in the report, mentioning the road improvements just carried out in Empire and Dukestreets, and the drain at McLean street. . The former work had been undertaken because there was a difficulty in getting the loan money to undertake the major scheme, and the delay thus caused was allowing the roads to get into a very bad state. The work done had met with the approval of business people and many residents, and lie trusted councillors had seen the advantage gained.

Re McLean-street, the Mayor explained, in answer to a query by Cr. Cowling as to what was the Works Committee’s decision, that it was agreed the road grading would be an inexpensive job, but it would be necessary to thoroughly drain the locality ’probably at a cost of £l5O to £2OO —and he had asked the engineer to try to find an outlet at the other cud, to the Fencourt drain. Cr Cowling said same unnecessary works had been done while the McLean street job bad been shelved He instanced Williamson-street as against G rosvenor-street. Money had been spent in a useless manner.

Cr Bell said lie would plead guilty to the Willlamson-street work ; he had arranged tor the work to be done, and considered it a very cheap work. Cr Care thought Cr Cowling was taking up a mistaken attitude. The work had been authorised by the Works Committee and duly carried out. An offer of several pieces of hardwood timber from S.P.N.D , Ltd., was declined. Decided tnau tenders lor the work ol redeeking the "Victoria Bridge be called for as soon as possible. approach to the Victoria Bridge from the Cambridge end is to be put down .in concrete, and the Leamington end will be gravelled. A dead willow tree in Victoriastreet, pear Mr K. Tl. Court’s restdence, is to bo removed.

The Clerk reported that, unpaid rates totalled £1097, and if not paid by 2Gth inst. these were liable to a ten per cent penalty. General rates outstanding are £721, while water rates, £876, account for the remainder.