CAMBRIDGE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Waikato Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 3495, 17 November 1894, Page 7

CAMBRIDGE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Tiik j|i->ove Council met at 7 p,m, on Tuesday last, when there were, present: The Mayor (Mr.l. S. B'. n c!\ Councillor* W. K«:ott, C. W. Arnold, A. Bmcli, J. W, Souter and H. Urtvk 'Lhc last mentioned being newly elected, umde the Usual declaration, after which he was v Welcomed by the Mayor in a terse but 'Complimentary speech, Quekx-strbkt. -The Rev, J, IT, Simmonds wrote on belndf of the committee of the Wesleyan Church calling attention to the unsatisfactory >tate of the footpath on the sou'b side of Queen-street fro .n Victoria-street to the Wesleyan Church, and asking that it might be gravelled wi:b as little delay as possible.—lt was resolved to do che work as soon as the gravelling contract is let.—Many other footpaths will also be repaired when the gravcllimr is commenced. Financial Statement,—Overdraft at 9th October, £174 ss; accounts since paid, £29 Os Id; amount lodged, £l6 9s 3d; present overdraft, £lB6 15s lOd; accounts to pass, £46 Os 6d; overdraft when accounts are paid, £23216s 3d. The following were the accounts pas-ed:— W. White, £9 18s 4d .; H. Archer. 10s 6d ; H. Pree e, £7 ss; M. Stubbing, 10s; audit fees £1 ; Giles and Viekers, £3; G. Wavman, £5; Domain Board, £lB 3s 2d; M. Dillon, 17s lOd ; T. Wells, 15a 7d; total, £46 Os sd.—As there wa« not a quorum at the Finauce Committee meeting, the accounts were examined and passed by the Council. Works—The Works Commit'ee had approved of the plan and specifications of the Karapiro bridge prepared by Mr Pavitt, and tenders had been called for, returnable at this meeting. Mr Pavitt had also been instructed to prepare specifications for making Thornton road. at a cost not exceeding £2O; for the formation of King-street East, Weldstreet and Alpha-street, and for ploughing, and filling up a portion of Victoria-street. The committee recommended the Council to call for tenders for gravelling till 3i)th September, 1895, and that the Mayor should be appointed chairman of the Works Committee. -The report was approved and adopted.—Since last meeting of the Council the surfaceman had repaired the fence round the Public Hall, had arranged a space under the hall stage in which seats could be kept, and had repaired the bathing place at Moon's Falls. The balance of his time had been spent, in executing repairs to the roads and footpaths. The Karapiro BRiDGE.-The following tenders were received for,' re-decking the Karapiro bridge.—J. Runoiman, £26 ; W. SpoDg, £23 ; R. Morse, £2lss; P. Cooper, £l9 15s; W. McFailane, £l9 14s. The last mentioned was accepted, for though the Council was aware that Mr Cooper was an expert at bridge building and similar works, it was thought the Council would be stultifying itself by not accepting the lowest tender. Fire Pbevention.-Io accordance with notice g ven, Cr. J. W, Souter moved : That expenditure, not to exceed £ls, be authorised to obtain two hand pumps, three stands of tire buckets, ladders, etc, and that a fire prevention committee he appointed, In speaking in support of his motion Gift Souter referred to" the late fire at Te Awamutu, when the Public Uall was destroyed, and said if there had been a few buckets of water at hand when the fire was in an incipient stage the building would probably have been saved. He would not ask for an expensive outfit for fire prevention, but he thought it was absurd to appoint a fire inspector, and not provide him with any tools.—The Mayor seconded the motion pro forma,—Cr. Bach said he should like to see an efficient tire brigade and proper appliances if the Council could afford it; but it could not, and to spend £ls was absurd, an nothing efficient could bt obtained for that sum, The ratepayers would not pay for what was only to benefit those who had property in Victoria and Duke-streets. If a few buckets were provided by subscription he for on* would be willing to pay his share or even more than it.—The Mayor said the chief want in a case of fire was water, and unless that want was supplied—which in the picsent state of the Borough finance could not be done—almost any expenditure eeemed unnecessary. The appoint* meet of a fire inspector gave authority to that individual to pull down buildings to stop the progiess of fire, and if water was wanted a few kerosene tins kept filled would answer as well as buckets. - Cr. Bach : I phall be happy to provide any number for the purpose-Or. Escott wa in favour of a few buckets being pro-vided.-Cr. Souter said if the matter was to be shelved every time it was brough forward, those who caused it must take the llame. He thought proper appliances for the Inspector should be provided by the Council and not by subscription.—The Mayor said the fire inspector had not yet submitted a list of wliat he required.-After a lengthy discussion Cr. Souter withdrew his motion in favour of the following which was moved by Cr. Fseott, seconded by Cr. Bach and carried : Hiat deeming some fire appliai CjS to be necessary,the Mayor Civ. Bach and Souter be a committee to consult with the fir- inspector as to what is required and report at next meeting of rCouncil. This concluded the business.