CITY BOARD.—MONDAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume I, Issue 303, 1 November 1864, Page 5

CITY BOARD.—MONDAY.

The usual monthly meeting of the Ciiy Board of Commissioners, was held yesterday at their odices Canada Buildings, for the transaction of the ordinary business of the board. Present —Messrs. David Graham, (chairman,) George, \\ eb.ster, Wrig'ey, Maeready, Turnbnll, ami Swanson. The iSecketabt read the minutes of the last sitting of the Board, which were confirmed. LIGHTISH TIIF. STIIEKTS WITII OAS. The Skchkt.vuy read a comniueation from the Ga:> Company, announcing the appointment of an executive committee, lo confer with the Board, m respect to the laying down the gas lamps in the streets of Auckland. r J he Cuaiidian in respect to this matter, pubmitled to the Jioard whether the proper course to take would be to appoint some corresponding executive, to meet these gentleiifii mid co-operate with them. Mr. Wkiolrv said an arrangement had mice been made with the Gas Company, and they had not done what, they ought to have done. Mr. G F.Oltii I! hoped that it'the Gas Company were permitted to open the streets, they would not-leave them in the state they were left last time. Mr. Gkaiiam: said, he did not think the directors were responsible. These gentlemen met only ut lengthened intervals, and might possibly have not known in what condition the streets were lefj.

Mr. Wuioley thought tho Board ought not to 1 interfere until after tho passing of tho City Amend- < merit Act, when llioy would have some power io con- i trol the opening of' tho streets. i ; , Sir. GhaliaM said t}ia£. scarcely Ipsa important lo the cAizontt (if..Auckland wei;6' lighted streets (hail streets. It r.ao a subject of tli'e jjreiltest imp'ortanro. ] 11 o wis not, however, going to cl'efomltfte. conduct oi'the , Gas Company, but to lay before the' Heard the proposition that had ' een made on their part. Good | and cheap light was certainly greatly to be desired. Mr. "Wkusthk ai(l everybody would like to see f the streets of Auckland lighted with gas. Intact j the sooner tho better. He thought, however, Unit if , the Gail Company should open the streets, some , moans ought to he taken to secure tho streets being afterwards properly laid down. The subject might tji■ referred to the Streets Committee. | Mr. Swanso.v thought before any understanding , was come to' wifh (ho Gas Company, they ought to be asked t-o re>Wir .thA damage they had already done. There, whs no repentance without amendment. When the Gas Company bad done what tliey ought to do, it would be time enough to make a new arrangemout. .If they should open the streets, let men be appointed to see that they are made :n gootl as they were. but. as that can't bo done, it is | not in their power—let care be taken that tho stress should be made as good a* thev can he. at Hobsou-street, Alhcrl-t.(ivct.. "West Queen-street. Ji . Y all menus facilitate llie means of lighting tho streets, but let the Hoard be acquitted of the blame which has attended and vfo'uht ..attend (ho cutting up of the streets ; and if the Gas Company .dfirujn'gp the streets they ought to be forced to ninke them good. He : would movetliat the eommunication do lie on the table. 3t was simply wasting the public, money expending it on tin; street.?, and then digging them up again. Mr. Wkv.stkk was disposed to authorise the Chairmuu to confer with the gentlemen appointed by the Gas Company. Mr. AVitroi.iiY thoughtthesubject should belcft tot-he Streets Committee, if to any persons ; but lie adhered to (111! opinion that it was better to wait till the passing of (he "City Amendment Act," when the Board would have power to prevent any disturbance of the streets. Mr. Swanson said it was quite time (o ask (he flas Company to repair lite stvects (hey bad dug up. Any person who took (lie trouble <o walk over the town could see for himself what (hey had been, He would himself prevent, as far as he could any unauthorized interference with the streets by the tins Company or anyone else. He did not. mind spending a lew pounds over (he malter, aiul lie would give the iVM'SOtt-i in charge (o the constables who would do Mnvthinr of (he Hind. He would try to bring (hem to (heir senses ia this if that! could be etlOcted in no other. _ ■ Mr. Mackkaoy said that a day might be appointed on which the whole subject might be gone into between these gentlemen and the Hoard. 'I here was not at present, any power to prevent tho Gus Company opening the streets —at least he did not knOtr of any. There would be time to gain all the information necessary, and make all the arrangements ■ that would be required' The subject (hen dropped. .' >'Ai'iK!(-sTnr.r.r. An applie~tion was road' from 37 ratepayers of Napier-street, calling the attention o'r tlui Hoard to the dangerous and almost impassable ot this street. Tho applicants expressed an opinion fiom various reasons assigned, that it was high time the dangerous gully in the street were lllled up. Mr. Wkhstei: said there was a part o) (bis street (hat really required looking to. lie meant he part Crossing the gully, 't hat, was in an exceedingly bad ftrsie, so mtteli so, that he had heard from a person Who required to pass, t'r.'t h» whs compelled to cross it on his hand's and knees. Moved by Wi'.ioi.kV, seconded by Mr. Gkoi'kh;, That the state of the road should be referred to ' '>nd reported upon by tho. foreman ot works." '.HTKN-sTKKKV.,' A h'tter was also read from Kr W. Comric, begging (be interference ot the Hoard to cause *ko f.'arth to be removed, so that the footpath adjoining his allotment might be on a level with the street. 3!oveil by Mr. Wnfoi.cv, seconded by Mr. Swansox, " That the application lie on the table until al'Cr tho passing of the City Amendment A ' STONK CAKTINIi. A lender ivft'rf read from Alex. Amos and Co., offering: to quarry, brea'-', cart, arid Spread all metal required by the IJoard. to bo stacked in streets, pjiid for per cubic- yard, to have the use o( the stone breaking mr chine. and stipulating to keep it in working order. Ueferrel. I'A'rrr.UNs ion the iioak'o. A lottif was read from Mr. C. Itawkeswood. Chapel-street i'Ymndry, relating to certain patterns made bv him f«n" the Hoard, and alb ged to have been fjrderod hv the late engineer. The lettcT stated that Mr. Frasi had ordered him (o execute (lie patterns in question in the presence of Mr. Pole, although he might not have had the authority of the Hoard. W.'i'TKii r vo O.I'KKN STKKKT. A letter was read frorri'.T. S Corner, olforing to enter into an agreement to water Queen slrr.oi and Shortlaud street on the following terms; —Mr. Cwsor to find his own eurts and keep the .-ireets thoroughly wat'Ted, for £•") a week, to haye. the use of the water from Queen street pump, and in ease of insuflicicnt supply to take tho water from the wharf, permitted to do so fieo of toll. Also to have any f;irther Mini he might he able to raise by subscription. Also a loiter from Mr. "Wrigstiom od'ering (o do t'nu same, upon condition that he be allowed the use (|» (he wafer cart belonging to tlie t'.rnT'l, and express! nghla intention to rely upon the voluntary contribution of tho inhabitants to reimburse him the outlay.. Sir. WrHsTP.lt movc'i,.;in(i Mr. WI:Kir,KV secniled a resolution in respect of th 6 last proposal, that the tender he aec< pted, subject to such arraignments as might be considered necessary lo scenic tlie fu'ihhusut of the contract. • • run Mr. 'J uttsl'ff.'T. moved !.ho satspeiisiin of the standing order, for tlie purpose of Jayint: before! the i'.oard a resolution a(l'ee(iug (lie City Knginccr, w::') at (lie last sitting of the Heard iiad lieen it quested by rt s - lulion lo resign. Mr. I'rasi had let responded to (hat resolution, anil lie would move now that Mr. Kru-d be dismissed, as follows " That Mr. George Jliamaii r'nisi, JCuuiueeT to 1 lie Hoard and Inspector of J'liiliiiiigs be discharged, in i-oimeipiejiee rit' incoui- (>:••<» llt-e nn(l JiCgligenr-e in attending !" •>>« (iulies, and that lie deliver up tlj'j lceys of the oflice and all other documents, insirinnentri, and loi'd's in his Jios-se-sion belonging to the City 1 loaid, lo llbe S'V'tr^tary." r\lr. Glioma-: seconded the motion. Tiie CIIAfKMA.v, before imtting the resolution, Hiked Mr. i'rasi whether lie had anything to say in explanation, or in reply to tlie resolution. Mr. Fkasi said lie had done everything in his power to disi.hargo his duty faithfully and honestly to the Board. He denied that he had been negligent, but it was ol)Violi?!v impossible, in his opinion, to be in his oflice and in the street at tho muiic time; to be executing drawings, and keeping b oks, papers, i'.nd specifications of all sorts, at the same time (luit he should be "ii the -streets. Ho had nothing lurther to say in reply lo tho resolution, but he was desirous of ;;sking the Board in what particular instances ho hail been incompetent, or had neglected his duty. He also reminded the Hoard, before they dismissed , him, that he was engaged by the Hoard yearly, and tiiat he ought to iiare been permitted to ojinpleto that term. Mr. SI ackhady said if Mr. Frasi wanted lo know of instances where ho neglected his dtilv, ho, Mr. . Maeready, would him an instance. There bad ' been a contract for Mechanics' Hay wall. On Friday 1 last tho Foreman of Works went over there, and saw the work going all wiong. 1 laving si t matters right, he enquired whether Mr. Frasi had been there. At 1 all events, it. turned out (bat- Mr. Frasi hail never ' been (here since the commencement of the work. Mr. Wiugj.ky said (hat. a complaint had been made ' to the F.ngineor by a Mr. Pewhiir.-t, which ought to I have been placed bef'oro the lii*anl. Jnstinotions had been givm t) repair Alton Koad, hut it was then > in the same slate. Mr. Gi-.oiiiiii s iid that one of the objects of employl> ing Mr. Krasi was to take tile city levels. Tlie f Hoard was obliged to pay another gentleman to execute that woik. Mr. Frasi had never taken any steps to do that work. Tho citizens of Auckland j would hardly stand paying for work that was neve.i , performed. Mr. \Vj-:iistki; said that he had hoped Mr. Fras : i would have complied with the request-cmbodo-d in tlit 3 resolution of the .Hoard, passed at its last sitting, unil resigned his situation in a quiet and 3 way. Hy not doing so lie would force on the Boan e the only alternative left them, that of dismissing him Mr. Swansok said (hut iie had also hoped that Mr s Frasi would have resigned, a course which was adop ,t led by (iie .Bo ird in tlie hope that it would not i.uVi it effected his iuture prospctts to tlie sumo extent, :o Jlr. Frasi's engagement for twelve months; dii

ho wish to get ni' iiuy for which he would give no f: consideration. If ho expected anything of the kind c it was not to be supposed that the Board would give a it. ■ i u Mr. AViiiot.t;y thouaht. that the course being pur- o sued by Mr. I'Ynst was unprofessional. Ifc certainly, t had it been his (Mr. Wriglcy's) case, would not have t waited to bo disfrfis'ed ; he would have resigned at r .once, lie felt soine surprise nt Mr. Prasi, as a pro- t fessiomd'.tnaij, not adopting this course. l: Mr. Guaj.'aj.V eiiid it. was quite evident that from s some cause or other, ■whether fi'onr incompetence or ' from negligence of duty, Mr. PrasT audjho Board ' could not work together. It. was clear at'all'events ' that Mr. L'Viusi had not given satisfaction to the Board. In the allusion to a twelve months' engagement, Mr. I'rasi was looking to the balance of the twelve, months' salary, which uppcarcd to be the only ' hi; hud to n ake to tlie resolut ion. Of course if .Mr. I'rasi bad a just, and legal claim to that balance, ' what he had a right to do he would no doubt get. ' lie would simply performs his dutv in putting the [ motion to the Hoard'. '1 he motion' was carried unanimously. 1 It was moved bv TlTr- Ma'ckk.voy and seconded by - Mr. G-roaox, that Mr. Will hurt' Anderson', be ''Inspee- ' tor oi Buildings," pro tent. ' T.AW AIiVISMK TO TIIK 110A1U). Mr. ?d.\CKUAiiv saiil he had been together with J Mr. I<inlay, deputed by a former meeting of the ' iSoiird, to wait on Mr. Merriman, to arrange with that gentleman aa to the amount of the honorarium which he would require for his advice and services for one year. He (Mr. Macready) had scon Mr. ; Merriman on the subject, arid was authorised to report that for ordinary business, that gentleman would give his services to tlie Board for 100 guineas per annum. tie also stated that should' :vnd" heavy case arise, he would require to be paid extra for, but for the kind of business ihat. the Board usually required to be d .lie, Mr. Merriman would be satisfied with 100 guineas : After a brief discussion as to the date from which Mr. Merriinan's appointment should commence, the oiler of Mr. Merrnnan was accepted, and his appointment. ordered to dale from 10-morrotv. KATES The new t.tftis' We're declared to amount to XT3-I •Is. Till'. CITV I'.OAKO ASH Till! PHO COUNCIL. Mr. Macukadv said it was qffiie timO that the welfare of the City of Auckland should receive more cousideratii'ii than it bad hitheito by the members of that Board, who were also members of the Provincial Council, and by the Provincial Council "•fmesj'ly. t was becoming more and more evident that the'money which the Hoard had got, was not sufUeient. There i Was 110 public body to wfvom the Board could appeal I eX! v(>T>v Provincial Council. 'J'fmt was the only source fo wliicli.t-hcr could leok. They a'rf that a great dca 1 of money Would soon be required! for drainago and other fmptovftwenfei, . That work must be done sooner or later, lor Che sake of the health of •ih« eity and a good many other Considerations, which, as it was getting lute, lie (Mr. Macready) could not pause to efitmieriite. The truth was apparent that if the Board could not get money the levels being prepfirod by Mr. Wrigg would be of no use to j the city. The £700 that gentleman was to get would consii'.Orably oVrti.il their funds, and it was necessary to apply somewheic for ?h". means requisite to carry on live improvements contemplated in the city. All thfl monev that the Board was getting was necessary merelv to keep the streets iu repair. On looking Over the estimates he found only £1000. put down to the city. What would that do? .Ft was perfect nonsense to «>iy that sum would be sutlicient. lie for one hoped that the members of the city would stand up'in their places and di-mat/d the lights of the city. Mr. Newtuiui said in his speech that he hoped the citizens of Auckland would not come begging to the Provincial Government for money to improve the city, bnt that tfey would themselves provide the means to carry Carf the necessary improvements. That was all very well, but th« citizens of Auckland were merely asking for their own. Every man had a right, to demand his own. Was it begging' Jot get one's own bacK'? .'J Here were £ 1 ,'2OO iu the main ' sewer over and above vdvit was voted in the last session of the Provincial Council. What were they to have in lieu of that? He (Mr. Macready) thought tlie drainage of the city ought to come out of the Provincad levenue. All the taxes the Board could gather would be required to keep the streets in repair, 'l'hew were aware that the Provincial Government had put aw.iv the ritv endowments in such a way thaS the Hoard could not. make anything of them. They had #r*or(.gßtred whatever supplies there was. lie (Mr. Mat ready) ft?'! not, blame the present Governi men.t for that, but it did nof, -.VmUer who mortgaged them, such was the fact. He had no'fJonW tbe members A'./ the city wotild try and do something for the city in the House. Ft. s-Vnieil, to him that there was ■ a better feeling towards foe Ci'v Be;ud in the Provincial Colimi! than prevailed there .'His time twelve months, lie did not see why it. should ho jio ; whether i; the members had begun to see a general election iOorffhig in the future. J lad he been in the lhovineial Council f.de n .1:1,01)0 had been offered, lje would have been inclined !." *-ell them to keep it, us it would not make a cutting in one of streets. It was true they had given a loan ot .Ulo,0i;0—-ot which cs.coh bad heed applied for and obtained ; £3,000 wa> asked fi.f this year, hut the city rates were taxed lo pay the inieient of that,- so that the citizens were paving the money bacjt -H" fhe tiuc. There had been JMu.COt) set apart (or '•ify. purposes, n'ud he thought' the Board could not do bi h"i- than make an uppHbtiinn t'o liis Honor the Superintendent \ to get another Cll'.Ci'U, l'o enable tllcili to get on a j little in the city. If they did not-get more money ] I hey would soon not want an engineer Of any body j ebc, (lie :-ioney coming in heinc biirely suflicienE for j filling up t he' lie would, therefore, move, ThaMlie t'hnirie.an lie i»).-i|'ii'-ted to wait, upon the Kuio'viniendent with the vie* of obtaining another I far the ensuing year, out of !h" i' 50,000 set I apart for cifr :;!!!'pn»es out ot the .LoPO.OOt.'.' i ?.fr. Vt v "elev i'einfndcd the Hoard that the IVoVO'J eitil Council vrnj io #b:<. session eonsideiing about I j giving .(J i.").(!( iii (V r bringing oi!o the city. It ! was probable thut would be nia/ii' - v frbsrgc against ' the cilv. "I here n iglit. he something lo Say a' tbe nitv v.'hirli wl'io wortli i.'2000 a yo.'tr. j he Cii.uii.UaN red'the motion was too important a one to he discussed then, ft- 'wo ol file city n.embers luid gone away, lie would be verj'wi!l;n gto e;ilJ md • xt rjios'uiiuwv nt nny tin\oMr. Or.-.i:e.K hei'ievid that the city of Auckland had ;u;t got its rights, lie might refer to the publicans' and auctioneers' licenses, lie thought tbe G'overunienf ought, lo make the main sewers. As to the .C,")U,0(I0, he hoped Ihey would not d'aw too much'oil that. The waterw<'rks would abo benefit the cilv. Mr." MaoiiC.Wi c Mi'id that when the water came into the ritv they would he called oil to drain the city. As to the Mini of .Ci 2.000, there was no harm in asking plentv : he was not proud. The motion' having been secorded, was put, and carried unanimously. The Board then adjourned at, a quarter-past six o'clock. .