CITY BOARD.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVI, Issue 4000, 17 June 1870, Page 4

CITY BOARD.

A special meeting of the City Board of Commissioners was held yesterday at the office, to elect a Chairman, to receive the report of the committee on the Municipal Corporation Bill, and for other business. The following members were present :— Messrs. P. A. Philips (Chairman), Staines, Bugden, Macready, Sceats, Smart, Atkin, George, .and Asher. Mr. Sceats, the new member, was introduced by Mr. Srnaf t. Mr. Sceats expressed the pleasure he felt at being a member of the Board. Messrs. George and Bugden were welcomed on taking their seats at the Board by Mr. Atkin, and they acknowledged the compliment. Mr. George was voted to the chair. Salary of Chairman. — Mr. Macready said the first question before the meeting was the fixing of the salary of the Chairman. The rating which had recently been paid was insufficient to compensate the Chairman of the Board for the loss of time necessarily involved in attendance at the meetings. He therefore moved, "That the salary of the Chai man be increased to £125." — Mr. Smart seconded the motion.— Mr. Staines thought £125 was not sufficient, and moved an amendment to the effect that the salary be increased to £150. - The amendment was negatived, and the original motion was carried.

Election of Chairman. — Mr. Allan moved, "That Mr. P. A. Philips be reelected Chairman of the Board," and referred to the able manner in which Mr. Philips had discharged his duties.— The motion was unanimously agreed to.— Mr. Philips took his seat, and thanked the Board

Municipal, Corporation Bill. — The Board proceeded to consider the report of the committee on the Municipal Corporation Bill. The committee reported that they were unable at present to make any other recommendation than that the • Superintendent should be requested 'to forward "a complete printed copy of the Act, when finished, for consideration." The committee were of opinion that the legislation on the bill should proceed from the General Assembly, and not from the Provincial Council, and that no suburban district should be included against the desire of its inhabitants. —Mr. Atkiu moved that a Municipal Corporation Bill should be passed in the j>resent session of the General Assembly. — Mr. George seconded the motion.— Mr. Macready Spoke 011 the motion, whifili wnsi narri'erl

Harbour Trust Bill— Mr. Smart moved, That the merchants, shipowners, and others be instructed to ask the city members of the Provincial Council to meet the City Hoard to discuss the- bill."— Mr.' Maoreacly seconded the motion, which was carried. Prevention of Fires. —The Secretary read the (following letter from the Commissioner ?, f Po j lce i~" To the Chairman of the City ■Beard.— Sir,— I have the honour to ask your immediate attention to the provisions of the Prevention o f Fires Act, 1866, clause 2, by which the City Board of Commissioners are empowered to take certain steps for the purpose of stopping the progress of fires. As S.3JS ?« Present on leave. I consider it my ttuty to Bring the subject under j our notice, that the City Commissioners may take such steps as they S ee fit to meet the requirements of the Act, in the event of a fire occurring within the city of Auckland.— l remain, &c, James Naughtox, Commissioner of Pol- ce." —It was agreed to let the matter stand over till next meeting.

Culvert in Drake-street.— Mr. Bugden informed the Board that he had been to see the stone that had been carted there by the contractor, and he thought that there was eleven loads, and that the value was about 11s. Cd. per load.— Mr. Macready and Mr. Atlun were both willing that the contractor should be paid the expense he had been to in cartingthestonetoDrake-street. - It was proposed and carried, " That the contractor be paid the amount he has expended in carting the stone."

Stolen Property.— lt was moved by Mr. Macready, and carried, " That a reward of £10 be offered for thefts that have taken place at the engine-house. Mount Eden."

Petition. — A petition was presented by Mr. Smart, from the latepayers of Wellington- and Union-streets and the vicinity, praying the City Board to have erected a gas-lamp near the corner of the streets mentioned. — The 1 petition was referred to the Lighting Committee.

Communications to the Chairman. — Mr. Atkin proposed, and Mr. Macready seconded, "That all communications addressed to the Chairman of the City Board be left for him to open, and that on all matters of importance the employes of the Board communicate with the Chairman, for his advice, before acting in any matter." — Carried.

Accounts. — A number of accounts were then presented, and ordered to be paid. This concluded the business.