CITY BOARD-Tuesday.

New Zealand Herald, Volume I, Issue 88, 24 February 1864, Page 3

CITY BOARD-Tuesday.

Vvesfnt: Jlo.ssi's. Ashton, Darby, Finlay, Macready, D. (.iruluun, Macfarlane, liidings, Swauson, AVebsler. In the absence of Mr. Ucvtiridpe, Mr. Killings vraa voted into tho chair, -when thu minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. THE CITV I.HVKI.S. Letters were read from Mr. VUh\ K , 0.K., anfl Mr. ..Miileolinson, l'jl'iitinir Hit , otter of thu Board made, for their sor\iec3, mi the p-i-ound of the inadequacy of the remuneration proposed. Mr. Ashton proposed that the matter of the levels should lifi left to their own engineer, iillowing him to employ whatever assistance he might require. Mr. Jb'inlay explained that his object in requiring thu assistance, of other engineers than Mr. Blandfor'l was to push tho matter forward. Now, however, that the parties whote letturs had been read had refused the oiler made, he was for leaving the matter entirely in Mr. lilandford's hands. He. seconded Mr. Ashton's motion. Mr. Ashton's proposal was then agreed to. ALLOTMENT IX ALHKUT AND L'I'STOM HOUSE STKEETH. A letter was read from the Superintendent stating that the allotment applied for by the City Board belonged to the. General Government, and w;is re- | iaiued tor tlio purpose of a site for tho new Custom I House. J A letter was read from Mr. K. Spiers, and Mr. i AViu. Dent, jiniyiiif; for an advance of £50 on tho done in ■Shortlaiid-strect. sum contracti'd for, for the performance of the work ' Mr. Finlay said that tin: late Foreman of Worka i had talvim account of the number of days the eontractors were employed, and of tho cost of materials, and was of opinion that the contract price more thaa I paid If contracts were once allowed to be j broken there would be. no mid to thu confusion that \ would arise. I Mr. Ashton thought the contractors would do well ■ out of it. My. Webster was of opinion that n contract should ' bo held binding when nude. : Mr. JWl.v U)..u-ht the iiuc.«ti..ii rented upon i wheth-T the" Board 'had held out any hopo ot iU rei inducement to continue 1 the work h.id been l.cld out by the Board. • : Oα the iiiolion of Mr. Mncfarlune the Board doj clined to uceode to the of the petitioners. j WAITAKEUKI WATKit M'ITI.V SCHEMK. ! Tho iMiffiutCT Nftited fiiat iio had not hnd time yet to the mati.r. I Jlr. Hillings t'u.usr:it that. tlii«i work devolved j pi-opi'ily on tin , I'.'ovincial Engineer. ! Mr. M.'icf.'trlaiie said Ui : '.l. tho tSupcrinlcudcnt was I v.-.ut;nj t.:v the o.'iai-jn oi Vhi C:t7 Board oa this

water scheme as the opinion of the citizens. It was then determined to let the consideration of the, matter stand over until the newt moetinfj ot the 'Sr. Ridings then stated Hint tlio opinion of the law oflicer was averse t<> giving compensation to Messrs. Robley and Kussell tor the stoppage ot water in tho Lygar canal. STONE BREAKING MACHIXE. A letter was read from Mr. David Graham, withdrawing his oiTer of n str.no breaking machine, as he had seen in the Xcic-Zralamler that Messrs. Yickery & Masofield could supply one cheaper. Mr. Finlay thought that tho Xew-Zralantter had made a most egregious mistake in taking the Hoard for such fool? as ii had always represented the Board to he. Tho Xew-Z-alimder was wrong, as the olTyr was the most economical one for (ho piihlie— for though Messrs. Vickery A- Masefield could make the stone breaking machine for tho money mentioned they could not fi;rni.sh the motive power for the price 'stilted by the Xew-Zf«lnmhr. Mr. Pwanson said he had seen Messrs. Vickery & Masefield, and thev hnd stated that such a machine would cost £750 and that it could not be got ready under 3or 4 months. The Xetc-Ztalaniier was also wrong in stating that Mr Graham's machine was a second hand one, it had only been used once, and then onlv as a matter of trial. Mr. Maefarliuie was satisfied that Mr. Graham's machine was a must valuable one, and he had been prepared to have taken it at OTiee. Mr. Finlay was of the same opinion : such n machine was wanted, more especially now that labour was so dear and scarce, lie thought that the remarks of such a paper as the Xeir-Zrnlowlvr should not be regarded as of any worth. (Applause. , ) Mr. Ridings thought "that as soon the lioard was in possession of the capabilities of the machine, it would he advisable to consider the desirability of purchasing it. Mr. Graham said that the introduction of the machine did not originate with him—but with a friend. He Mr. Graham hnd become security for (lie payment, and he had olfoivd il without pmlit or eommissiou to the Board, lie would submit the invoices to any committee which miaht be appointed, lie had thought it advisable, after the announcement in the Xeir-Zealan<ler that a machine could be obtained cheaper, to withdraw his oiler. Mr. Macfarlane was very sorry that Mr. Graham would not consent to renew his ol'.'cr. The machine was sure to be bousht immediately, and thus thvounh this unfortunate atiiih- the City of Auckland was deprived of a useful and necessary piece of machinery. Mr. Bidinss thought that it was a great pity that the public should have io suller from the improper article of such a paper as the Xew-Ztnl'indvr —a paper which had more than once unfairly treated Mr. Graham. He was surprised, though, th.it that g.-nile-man should pay any attention to an article appeunug in that print. Mr. Darby blamed Mr. Graham for paying any attention to the Xeir-Zail.miki:- It was a shame thai the public should suffer through the Xw-Z-ufriii/.-r newspaper. He thought Mr. Gr.iham should not have withdrawn his oti'er. Mr. "Webster said everyone knew what the opinion of the Auckland public was with regard to anything that appeared in the Xnr-Zatlit.-i'in: He thought Mr. Graham was wrong in paying any attention to its remarks. Mr. Graham said that if the Koaivl would appoint a Commissioner to confer with his firm perhaps the difficulty might he overcome, not only as to one stoiiebreakiug machine, but for many other machines that were equally as much required. On the motion of Mr. Macfarlane. seconded !>y Mr. Webster, it wm agreed '-th.it the street i-mirmuee be requested to procure, at :heir earlieM possible connow under discussion." venicuee. a stone-breaking machine, such as the one Carried unanimously. coiMnrs tax. It was then moved that letters be addressed to Messrs. Hardingfon and niacins warnint; them to take out licenses for dog-carts a-.id other vehicles plying for hire. TIMBER !>' CTSTOM-HorSE-FTIIEKT. It was agreed that the Chairman should obtain a legal opinion as to the leeality of the placing of timber on the street by certain parties.