CITY BOARD.—Monday.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXII, Issue 2682, 20 February 1866, Page 5

CITY BOARD.— Monday.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the City Board of Commissioners was held in the Board-room, Canada Buildings, Queen-street, at 3 o'clock, yesterday afternoon. Present : Messrs. J. W. Bain (Chairman), Ashton, Slater, Swanson, Sheeban, Graham, Turnbull, and Wrigley. Tha Secretary read the minutes of preyious meeting, which -were confirmed ; also the correspondence written duriag the fortnight.

WATER SUPPLY— STAND PIPES. Mr. Wkigmiy directed attention to the fact that the majority of the stand-pipes were not available in case of fire. The expense of making them all available would be but a few pounds, and he thought the Provincial Government should be requested to alter them, and make them available on the outbreak of fire in the city. The Chairman remarked that the Board had no control over the stand-pipes. Mr. Gbaham did not understand why there should be a difference in the stand-pipes, unless there was some engineering difficulty in the way, as the waterworks had been carried out well and scientifically. Mr. Wbigley did not complain of the way the works were carried out, but he thought it would be even better for the City Board to make the standpipes available in case fire broke out in the vioinity where they are placed. The Secretary was instructed to write to Mr. Weaver on the matter, and obtain an explanation from him.

PLAT AT WILSON-STREET. A letter was read from James W. Carr, boat» builder, asking permission to use the flat at the foot of Wilson -street, for laying a boat or timber thereon, until the Board should require the flat. The letter was laid on the table, and the Secretary was instructed to write to Mr. Carr, stating that the Board had no authority to grant his request.

QUEEN-STBEET. A communication was received from Mr. John Edaon, on behalf of other ratepayers, explaining that their former letter had reference to the repair of the main road and not the footpath opposite their premises, between the Odd Fellows' Hall and Savings' Bank. Owing to the traffic and the road not being metalled, it becomes 1 almost impassable in wet weather. Under the circumstances, they expect the City Board would have the repairs done without expecting them to contribute more than the rates levied. Mr. WbigliEY said it was very desirable that something should be done to repair the road where stated. Mr. Gkaham said there was no doubt the street would be completed in due course. The matter was allowed to lie over 'for the present.

FIRE BRIGADE. The Secretary read the following letter, which •will explain itself :— " Liverpool and London and Globe " Insurance Company, "Auckland, February 16, 1866. " Secretary's Office. I • ' City Board of Commissionere, Auckland. " Sir, — I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 6th iust., with enclosures, as advised. In compliance with your request, I submitted the same to a meeting of the representatives of the various (insurance companies, and have now to inform you that (they decline to make the payment asked for. The insurance companies are not prepared to make any proposals with regard to the formation of a Fire Brigade; but I believe they would gladly cob'perate with the inhabitants of Auckland, or the City Board of Commissioners, in any endeavour that may be made to permanently establish and organise so desirable and necessary a force. — I have, &c, 4( John Buchanan, " Agent. "John Ogilvie, Esq." The Secretary intimated that the cost of the brigade in connection with the Board would be about £120 per annum, and the insurance companies did not appear inclined to contribute anything .to the expense. Some conversation took place relative to Mr. Wells's charges for attending recent fires with watering cwts. Tt was considered that Mr. Wells should leave the carts at various parts of the city, so that they could be rendered available at the earliest moment on the outbreak of fire. The Chairman said he was present at the meeting referred to in Mr. Buchanans letter, and he could say that the agents of the whole of the thirteen companies, with the exception of three, had received instructions not to pay any money. It was agreed that Mr. Wells*s account should he over for the present, and the Secretary was ordered to write to him that the City Board would not be responsible for any expenses he might incur in future./

OBSTRUCTION IN QtTBBN-STEBET. A letter was read, signed by * number of residents on the west side of Queen-street, requesting the removal of the boards erected at the premises lately occupied by Messrs. Ridings and Dowden, and now

in possessio a of the Bank of New Zealand, as the obstruction stopped all foot traffic and injured their business. .Referred, to Superintendent of Police.

CUSTOM HOUSE STKPS. r»ffi * er was received from the Superintendent's Office, en< >lo9ing a communicatiun from Mr. Charles Haselden. ft having reference to the dangerous state of the at ,cp 8 leading from Fort Britomart to Custom-house-s' nee^ Ref arred, to Foreman of Works. PDr MC MARKET — MR. HARDINQTON'S PROPOSAL. •A. communication was received from the SuperinteD .dent's Office, enclosing a letter that had reference t° a proposal made by Mr. Hardingtonforthe estab1" ishment of a public market at his premises, Queenstreet. The Superintendent suggests that it is worth consideration whether an advantageous arrangement may not be made with Mr, Hardington. [We have already published Mr. Hardington's letter, in which he proposes to erect 30 stalls, to extend Highstreet through to Victoria-street, and to undertake the general management, supervision, and maintenance of the market, for a period of five years, for £600 per annum, to be paid to him by the Provincial Government, in addition to any profits which he might derive from letting or leasing the stalls.] Mr. Ashton said the Board had no power to entertain the proposal. When the drainage was carried out he thought a temporary market could be erected, whioh would no doubt be a greater accommodation than that proposed by Mr. Hardington, and the tolls they would receive would enable them to carry out a more permanent work after some years, It was very desirable that the drainage should be carried out, as the place was intolerable. He did not understand why the money appropriated by the Provincial Government had not been paid. He would therefore move, " That the Board,having considered his Honor's letter relative to enclosure, are of opinion that it is not judicious at present to enter into any 1 arrangement of the nature proposed by Mr. Hardington, and that the Secretary be instructed to again oommunicate with his Honor as to an advance being made to the Board out of the loan of £7.000 appropriated by the Provincial Council to the Board for the purpose of ' erecting in the city of Auckland a public market-house,' in terms of the City Board Loan Act, 1863, and in .order that the Board may proceed with the draining and levelling of the market site, with a view to a market-house being erected." Mr. Slater concurred with Mr. Ashton's observations, and seconded the resolution. Mr. Swakson thought Mr. Hardington's proposal was a somewhat strange one, as he (Mr. S.) thought the market would be a profitable affair. He thought they might try the experiment at the old Supreme Court-house buildings while the drainage improvement was being carried out, and th«y would be in a position to judge as to whether it would pay. The motion was carried, and the Secretary was instructed to confer with the Superintendent aboilt holding the market at the old Supreme Court-house buildings while the works at the market site were being carried out.

• REPORTS. The Secretary submitted the following reports : — "Beport by deputation appointed to wait upon his Honor the Superintendent, with reference to the formation of Drake-street, on the 9th. February, 1866. "The deputation informed his Honor that it was the wish of the Board that the formation of Drakestreet should be proceeded with, and that the inhabitants had agreed to contribute £300 towards the expense of the necessary works. The deputation laid before his Honor the plans of the proposed improvements, and pointed out to him the great benefit that tb.3 Harbour Trust would derive therefrom, and asked his Honor what sum the Harbour Trust would contribute towards the expense of the improvement. "His Honor explained to the deputation that the Harbour Trust were at present unable to meet their liabilities incurred for the works they were at present carrying out, and he did not, therefore, see how they were able to contribute at present towards the contemplated improvement. His Honor concurred with the deputation that it was very desirable the works should be proceeded with, and would be glad to forward sa far as in his power any scheme for reclaiming 'Freeuiaii's Bay, and leasing the reclaimed land, so as to make the same pay for the necessary improvements. All which is reported by "J. W. Bain, " Chairman of Deputation. "Auckland, February 19, 1866." " Report of deputation appointed to wait upon his Honor the Superintendent with reference to his sending down to the Provincial Council an Appropriation Bill for £10,000 out of the £50,000 .Loan for the city, on 9th. February, 1866. "The deputation explained to his Honor that unless a further advance was made to the Board out of the Loan of £50,000, the Board would be unable to carry on the improvements that were at present so much required with reference to the sanitary condition of the city. "His Honor explained that he was at present engaged in making up complete statements of how the various advances on account of the £50,000 Loan stood, and as soon as these were completed he would be in a position to inform the Board of his intention with regard to the contemplated advances. All which is reported by " J. W. Baict, " Chairman of Deputation. "Auckland, February 19, 1866." On the motion of Mr. Ashtojt, seconded by Mr. Swanson, the reports were received.

BATES. The Secretary said the rates collected during the last fortnight amounted to £405 14s. 6d. GRBT-STREBT. The Secretary submitted an account from Meßsrs. Bainbridge *nd Swan, contractors for the formation of Grey-street, amounting to £126 4s. 6d., for extra work over and above their contract, and which was certified as correct by Mr. Wrigg, C.E. Mr. Ashton said it appeared to be » large sum to pay over aud above the contract, and the matter should be investigated. He moved — " That Messrs. Swanson, Graham, Macready, and the mover be appointed a committee to examine the extra worka in Grey-strftet referred to in] the certificate, and report at next meeting." Mr. Slater seconded the motion. The Secretary stated there was no mention of the works in the specification, and no orders bad been given by the Board respecting them. Mr. Wrigg said there had never been contracts of that nature and extent undertaken and carried out without more or less extras, and he could not underi stand why the present account should be called in question. He never in his experience heard an account for extras questioned. He would like that a committee should be appointed, as there was tome animus in the matter. I Mr. Wrigley said they never had contracts of that extentjWithout extras, either in connection with the Provincial Government or City Board. The I committee could not dispose of the account, as unless they were engineers they could not measure the excavations carried out. He -would oppose the motion. Mr. Ashton was not at first aware that Mr. Wrigg had certified for, the work. He was sure the Board had every confidence in Mr. Wrigg j at the same time he could not see why there should be any extras at all, and certainly the amount appeared to him to be unusually large. Mr. Sheehan said it would be difficult in carrying out such a work to estimate to an exact amount the cost. In Government contracts there were always extras to be paid. When the Board had a competent person as engineer, they should give a special privilege to him in the superintendence of such works. If they had faith in him for larger amounts, they should have faith in him for smaller aums. Mr. Swanson said that that work was undertaken by the Board with a good deal of caution as to the expense. If the work done was indispensable and could not be avoided, there remained nothing for the Board but to pay. If it could have been dispensed with, the Board ought not to pay it. He was certainly astonished to see such an amount charged for extras, as he had known nothing at all about it until he saw the account. Mr. Ashton wished to assure the meeting that he had no design whatever in the matter, as far as Mr. Wrigg was concerned. Mr. Wrigg obtained permission to address the meeting. He did not know how tbe question arose, except through the Secretary. It reflected upon his (Mr. W.'s) honour and integrity. So far as he was concerned, the question had never arisen before, although on every contract there had been certain extra work. Why that particular case had arisen was best known to some official of the Board, whatever his motive might be. He (Mr. W.) challenged the strictest inquiry ; and whether he came off honourably or not, he would pray the Board to relieve him from his present position in connection with it. He w»b not to be questioned by a yonng man at the Board. He would challenge the strictest inquiry, and, if possible, he would demand it. The Secretary (addressing the Chairman) said Mr. Wrigg should not drag his name into the matter. He had nothing to do with it. Mr. Swanson would not allow the officers of tbe Board to domineer over the member* of the Board

in that kind of way. That style of thing was new to him ; it was a most unseemly affair altogether. He had never heard about the matter until then. He would say that if the Secretary thought the amount too high, it was his bounden duty to call the attention of every member of the Board to it. There was nothing wrong in having the matter inquired into. He hoped they would tee or hear no more of such conduct between serrants of the Board. Mr*. Ashton asked the Chairman to protect the Board against such unseemly conduct, as it was calculated to lower them in public esteem. Mr. SHBBHANsaid he had never heard the Secretary speak in the slightest degree against Mr. Wrigg. They had nothing to censure the Secretary for, as he (Mr. S.) believed he attended to his own place. After aome further discussion, Mr. Shbehan moved, as an amendment, that the committee should consist of all the members of the Board. Mr. Wbiglet seconded the amendment, which was carried.

NOTICE OF MOTION. Mr. Wrigliy gave notice that on nixfc day of meeting he would move, " That the Secretary be instructed to prepare » statement of the estimated income and expenditure of this Board from the Ist January to Ist July, 1866, distinguishing the amount to be expended for salaries, &c, ; and the amount to be paid as interest and sinking fund for loans expended ; also amount available for improvements. 1 ' This terminated the meeting.