NELSON BOARD OF WORKS. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20.

Present •. Mr. Bcntlcy in tl\e chair, Messrs. Evevctt, Graham, Burn, and Carter.

A special meeting of the Board, was held on Tuesday evening, in referenco to the proposed Fire Brigade.

Mr. Bentley reported that, in company with Messrs. Burn, and Aitken, he had attended a meeting of the Committee appointed at the late conference of the Board, aud the Insurnnce Agents ; and that Messrs. Edwards, and Curtis, were also present. The result of the discussion was, that the Committee considered a sum of about £250 per annum would be required for the support of a Fire Brigade ; and it was proposed that, of this amount, the Insurance Offices should subscribe £100, and the Board of Works £100, trnsting to the probable support of the Government in the matter. Also that Mr. N. Edwards, for the Insurance Agents, Mr. W. C. Hodgson, for the Volunteers, and himself for the Board of Works, had been appointed a deputation to wait upon his Honour the Superintendent, in order to ascertain how far the Government would give assistance. The deputation had been courteously received on Monday last, and his Honour had stated that, should a Fire Brigade be formed and competent parties intrusted with the management of it, he would hand the Fire Engine over to them, and would also pay a properly qualified person to keep it in repair ; and that the Government would also provide helmets, buckets, axes &c. His Honour added that the engine was not to be removed from the grounds of the Government Buildings except for the purpose of practise, or in case of fire, as it was purchased for the special purpose of protecting those buildings ; but that access could be had to it at any hour in case of fire, as the keys would be left with the police at the lockup, who would be intrusted to have everything in readiness, and to open the gates on the first alarm of danger by fire-bell or otherwise.

It was resolved, " That the consideration of this report be deferred until the regular meeting of the Board on Thursday, September 29."

The specification for the work proposed to be done on the Haven-road, was read and approved of. Only one tender was sent, namely, from Messrs. W. H. Rowe, F. Blincoe, J. Jennings, and A. Firth, who offered to perform the whole of the work, as per specification, for the sum of £164 16s. On the motion of Mr. Everett, seconded by Mr. Graham, it was resolved, " That the tender be accepted." The Board then adjourned.