The Nelson Evening Mail. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1866. KELSON BOARD OF WORKS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume I, Issue 154, 1 September 1866, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1866. NELSON BOARD OF WORKS.

Eiudat, August 31. | Present Mr. It. Burn in the chair, Messrs. Bentley, Carter, Wright, Burns, Aitken. and Rout. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The chairman undertook to see Mr. Adams and request 3iim to get the bond completed. A discussion arose as to the duties the Inspector of Nuisances should be required to discharge. It -was suggested that the duties include the collecting of the rates. It was stated that the Act gave full power for the purpose of inspection if the inspector were duly authorised to act by the Board. It was contended, on the other hand, that an Act of Council was needed to give an inspector full powers. The chairman read clause two of the Nelson Improvement Amendment Act, ISR2, which specified that the duty of the inspector was to give three days' notice to parties to remove nuisances, and to summon persous refusing or neglecting to remove them. It was urged that the collecting of rates was no part of the duties of an Inspector of Xuisances, and that ■under the new assessment, if the Board acted properly, the duties of the collector would be much simplified. - That much time was now spent and trouble takca by the Board in the collecting of the rates. Mr. Bentley proposed that the duties of Inspector of Nuisances combine that of collector of rates. That the party appointed find surety for JKSOO, and act under the control of the overseer. Mr. Carter seconded. Another discussion ensued, when Mr. Bentley modified his motion — that the person appointed be under the control of the overseer so far as the duties of collector' are concerned, and that he receive a salary of £100 per annum. The motion passed. -It was resolved that an advertisement be put in the papers for applications from persons willing to act as inspector and collector to the Board. ''■ It was resolved that the offer of Mr. Henry Adams to prepare deeds for. the Board at the rate of two guineas each, be accepted. Mr. Bentley brought up the report of the public works committee recommending that a number of works be , undertaken at the Wood without delay, . The"report was adopted. 1 . A letter was received from the Superintendent relative to the erection' of the bridge over the' river at Nile-street easty stating it was not the intention of the Government ,to. renew the bridge. The bridges having been put in repair it was the duty of the Board, not that'of tlfe Pro'vincialExecutive, to maintain thenrin repair. The river bridges wereunder the control of the Board, and the recent assistance had been given solely on account of the engagements entered into by~a- former Superintendent. A discussion ensued. It- was stated that the bridge ' having been ■ washed away : thrbugli the neglect of the Board it was their duty to repair it. It 'was urged that as the Provincial Council had voted £1000 for bridges they ought to devote a portion to this bridge. It was suggested that .the Board and the inhabitants should unite to put a cart bridge over the river at

'this place, ana' mat j^r^Aitken should 'ascertain the . ifeelings of ittie inhabitants. Mr. !Aitken undertook '. ■' to repprtob the^u^j'ect: f l . '. ' -■ \ ' - ; A letter was received from MrT Curtis expressing a wish to be specially rated for a road passing near his property,, and wishing to know what,, the cost. of the wort would be; The Secretary was empowered to provide a: probable estimate and specification as soon as possible. ~* - - - : ■ ■ Mr. Drew asked permission to erect three posts on the footpath in Trafalgar-street, . for the purpose of carrying a blind. Resolved the request be complied with under the inspection of the Surveyor. Mr. Alex. Aitken applied for -a return of 16s. Bd. the sum he had paid under ■niisapprehension, as an assessment on property of, which ho was weekly tenant. The secretary was requested to see Mr. Davis, the owner pt the property, get the money and return it to Mr. Aitken. ' Mr. Stanton wrote to inquire on what property he was assessed for 12s. 6d. as ..advertised in the public , papers. He complained of the extraordinary course adopted. The secretary said he had called on Mr. Stun ton who had showed a receipt for the money. The amount was struck out. • . A similar request was made by Mr. D. Eough, who said he had been publicly charged with arrears of which he knew nothing. The secretary was instructed to write to Mr. Stanton and Captain Eough, explaining the reason of the advertisement, and the cause of the mistake. A letter was received from the Eev. Mr. Thomas, requesting the board to prevent the overflow of water from the brook into his gardui. The repairing of the water table, and the filling up of the foot path would remedy the evil. Eesolved that the letter be attended to. The City Council of Canterbury informed the Board that the lamp at the post-office was erected at the expense of the city. Mr. Nalder called the attention of the Board to the drainage at the end oi his garden, and suggested that the cutting of the gorse- hedge would prevent the overflow of water. The secretaiy was instructed to see Mr. Campbell on the subject. A comphint was made of the state of Mr. Elliott's hedge, and the secretaiy was requested to see to it. Mr. Newport called the attention of the Board to the extra work ho had performed in the upper contract in Brook-street, and asked for compensation for the same. The secretary explained that there was a point in dispute as to the cutting of the bank, but the height of the road was according to specification. The secretary was instructed to inform Mr. that the- case should be investigated by Mr. Pollock and the Board, on -the ground: The auditor's report was laid upon the table. It recommended several improvements in the mode of preparing thn accounts. The balance sheet as approved by the auditors, Messrs. Jackson and Hibble, was also laid before the Board. The report and balance sheet were adopted. It was resolved that the balance sheet be published, one insertion in each pnper. Mr. Hibble requested repayment cf the sum of 15s. Bd. which he had paid twice by mistake. It was ordered that the money be returned. Mr. Porthouse asked permission to erect a post and fence in Hardy-street, for the purpose of protecting a quick fence. Granted on the usual conditions. Tenders were opened for kerosine as follow : — Hounsell, ss. sd. ; J. De Carle. 4s. 2d. ; W. C. Wilkinc, ss. XOhd. and ss. 6d. per gal. Samples were sent with the tenders. It was resolved that the oil be tried, and a decision come to at the next meeting. A letter was received from W. C. Murfin asking the Board to grant him the use of a three-wheeled dobbin for his contract in Brook-street." Permission granted on condition it be returned in good working order. Accounts were passed as follow : — Labor sheet, £48 6s ; Jackson and Hibble, auditors, £5 ss ; Akersten, £100; Bray, £40; Sigley, £36 10s; kerosine, £6 3s; Hounsell, £1 13s; Examiner, £l8 10s7d; Sadd and Secretary, collecting, £55, arrears, £17s 6d. " The balance at the Bank to the credit of the Board was £174 1 Is. The Board adjourned till next Friday.