BOARD OF WORKS ELECTION.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 175, 27 July 1868, Page 2

BOARD OF WORKS ELECTION.

The nomination of members to fill four vacancies in the Board, created by the retirement of Messrs Bentley, E. Burn, "Webb, and Carter, took place at the Market-place to-day at noon. The attendance of ratepayers was perhaps hardly so numerous as on previous occasions, but the proceedings were carried out with order and without much interruption.

Mr J. P. Black having been voted into the chair, read the advertisement convening the meeting, and expressed his hope that the meeting would be conducted in an orderly manner.

The Secretary then read the eleventh Annual Report of the Board, detailing the •various works carried out during the past year, together with the balance sheet, which showed a balance of £411 6s. 2J. in favor of the Board.

Mr Lightfoot proposed, and Mr Levestam seconded the adoption of the Report.

Mr Blick complained that the injuries sustained by property in Brook-street Valley by the last fl ood had not been repaired. Mr Hibble rema rked that whilst that part of the city only contributed about £200 per annum to the rates, upwards of £1200 had been expended upon it.

Mr Elliott, after reminding the meeting that Nelson was the first town in New Zealand that had adopted a system of rating itself, stated that he believed he might assert that the Board of Works then inaugurated had, on the whole, worked very satisfactorily, and that the people of kelson had cause to be proud of it. noticed in the report a remark which hinted at the necessity for some increased powers on the pait of the Board. This could only be effected by incorporation under the Act passed by the General Assembly, an action which had been already adopted by many both of the old and new communities in this colony, and he should be glad to hear an expression of opinion from the meeting on this subject. He would remiud them that there was no probability that a special Act would be passed by the Assembly to meet the views of the Board, neither wouid any enlarged powers be granted by the Provincial ;Ctu.aci!, and if it was really desired that

such enlargement should bo obtained, hs would wish to hear an expression of opinion on the subject.

The Chairman thought the present was not a legitimate opportunity to discuss the subject, which could be dove at a public meeting properly conveued.

Mr. R. Burn deprecated the adoptiou here of the provisions of the Municipalities Act, which, as it involved the collection of rates over the whole city, would weigh very heavily upon ratepayers who had already been fully taxed for the improvement of certain streets, whilst the period for borrowing money for improvement was limited to six years.

Mr Webb concurred with the last speaker, and thought what was wanted was a system of local self-government, suited to the place and its wants, which might be better attained by obtaining powers to enable the Board to extend loans over, say, 35 years, with a readjustment of the assessment every year. The Municipalities Act was not sufficiently elastic.

The adoption of the Report was then earned unanimously.

Mr Levestam moved and Mr Clements seconded a proposition that in the opinion of the meeting the Board should take steps to induce the Government to make good such roads as 'had been disturbed by laying down waterpipes, according to the provisions of the Act, which was carried.

Messrs Hibble, Smailbone, and Lane having been proposed ns Auditors, Mr Hibble withdrew, and the»two last mentioned gentleman were declared elected.

The nomination of the various candidates then took place, Mr Alexander Fletcher being proposed by Dv Irvine, and seconded by Mr E. Everett ; Mr J. P. Black, by Messrs Elliott and Lightfoot; Mr J. Webb, by Messrs Everett and Askew; Mr J. Ceiitley, by Messrs Thornton and Scott; Mr J. Thornton, by Messrs R. Lnoas and C. Bartlett; Mr R. Burn, by Messrs Crisp and Hibble; Mr J. Newport, by Messrs Bliok and Herwin; Mr Percy, by Messrs Clark aud Harley ; Mr J. King, by Messrs J. Taylor and Hornby ; and Mr E. Carter, by Messrs. Smith and Gray. A show of bauds was taken for the various candidates, which resulted thus ;— Mr J. Webb, 31; Mr R. Burn, 30 ; Mr J. Bentley, 28 ;Mr J. Thornton, 25 ; Mr J. Percy, 2\ j Mr J. P. Black, 21 ; Mr. J. Newport, 21 ; Mr James King, 17 ; Mr A. Fletcher, 12 ; and Mr. R. Carter, 6.

Mr Percy [demanded a poll, which will take place to- morrow, at hood, closing at 4 p.m.

Votes of thanks to the late Board and also to the Chairman having been carried, the proceedings were brought to a termination.