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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IV, Issue 7, 9 January 1869, Page 2

The adjourned special meeting of tlie Board, was beid last evening af 5 o'clock. Present: Messrs Hooper, Webb, Percy, aud R. Burn, iv the chair. Mr Beutley and Mr Field were absent at the hour of meeting, the former gentleman, however, subsequently arrived. - Haviog waited a considerable time for the absent members, The Chairman read the following resolution which had been proposed by Mr Webb at the previous meeting : — 'That in consequence of the depressed state of business in the city, the exorbitant rate charged for water supply, and the fact that Bridge-street is charged a special rate, the rate for the current year be three farthings in the pound on the assessment.' Mr Percy moved as an amendment, — That as great reductions have been made in the valuation of town property as compared with last year, and large permanent additions made to buildings, the rate for the current year be one penny in the pound. He had nothing to add to the remarks he had made on a former ocxjasiou. He considered the present, only a ten.porary, depression. If they reduced the rate, they would iv fact be submitting to a double reduction, as the valuation had been greatly reduced. He deprecated leading others to believe that we were worse off than we really were. Most of the rate would find its way back into the hands of the ratepayers. '• Mr Hooper seconded the amendment. Mr Burns, after alluding to the deterioration in the materials of which the houses were built, aud which had not been takeu into account in previous assessments, urged this as an additional reason for a reduced rate. Property had depreciated in value to a great extent and the times did not justify a penny rate. Mr Webb said that the greater part of the town had been built when materials were at a very high rate, and, owing to the ravages committed by a small insect greater deterioration had taken place than most people were aware of.- He was confident property had declined in value fully 50 per cent. The water rate too was very he&vy, and, in fact, a great many persons were unable to pay their rates. Mr Hooper said that he had great experience of the state of feeling iv town, having made it his business, in connection with another subject, to inquire particularly into it, and he quite disagreed with the remarks which had fallen from Mr Webb respecting the inabiJity of many to pay the rate. Tbe Chairman then put the amendment, wbich was carried. EXEMPTIONS. The Chairman said that the next business before the Board was the consideration of the claims, which had been sent iv, for exemption from the rates; but as the Secretary informed him that they had not been sent in in writing, they could not be entertained. After some desultory conversation it was agreed to defer their consideration until the next meeting. ADVERTISING THB ASSESSMENT. Mr Bentley moved — That the assessment be advertised in all the local papers, provided the price should meet the wishes of the Board.

Mr Percy observed that last year the assessment had been advertised iv the other local papers, but not in the Evening Mail, - As the Mail had a very large circulation — was in fact taken by every one in the town, he contended that the assessment ought to be advertised in that journal, and he should therefore move as an amendment — 'That the assessment be advertised in each of the local newspapers, at a cost not exceeding, in the whole, £21. Mr Webb said the Board had no right to squander the money of the ratepayers in such a way. Mr Percy pointed out that last year they had advertised in only two papers, at a cost of £20, and now, if the arrangement could be carried out, lor the additional £l they would have the benefit of the extensive circulation of the Mail, which was, in fact, the paper the most of the ratepayers read. Mr Bentley having withdrawn his motion, the amendment was put as an original motion and agreed to. This concluded the business and the meeting adjourned until the next Board day.