CITY BOARD—Monday.

New Zealand Herald, Volume II, Issue 327, 29 November 1864, Page 5

CITY BOARD—Monday.

The usual weekly meeting of the City Board of Commissioners was held at their chambers, Queenstreet, yesterday afternoon. Present Messrs. George. Sheehan, Swanson, Webster, Graham, Turnbull, Maeready, Einlay, Darby, Wrii'ley. Jjavid Graham, Esq., in tlis chair. TJie Secretary read the minutes of the last meetins, and the correspondence of t lie last week, which were duly confirmed. CORRESPONDENCE. A letter was read, dated I lie l!)th inst., that had been received from the Superintendent, acknowledging the receipt, of a letter l'rom the Chairman of the Board transmitting copy of protest, and stating that the same had been forwarded to the Colonial Treasury. WATEK AT TUB STOCKADE. Another letter was read from tlio Superintendent, acknowledging letter dated 2nd inst, requesting permission 'or the City Board to make use of the vvacer m the lagoon 011 the Stockade reserve at Mount Eden, lor the use of the stone breaking machine erected there by tlie Board, and in reply informing the Board that the Provincial Council would grant the application upon condition that 110 obstruction was ea ablished to prevent tho public from usiat; the \v;itt:r aa hitherto.

Tho Board acccptod tho ofler upon tho conditions named. ; TIIK MAItKET HOTISB. 1 Another letter was read from hjs Honor, acknowledging receipt of a report, plan and sections of the site of 1 proposed market house, prepared by Mr. Henry < Wrigg, Civil Kngineer, and in reply informing the Board that tho same hud been laid before thel'rovin- I eial Council. Another communication from the Superintendent ' was read, informing the Board that (he notice had < been given to Mr. AVebeter us requested by the ' Board. i AVICI,I. SINKING. i -A 11 estimate was read from a Mr.« Tames Levy for making a pump iuh<l sinking u well, bricking, with pipe?, and all contingencies complete, and also a phuft - tor drawing the machine that Mr. Yickery and Masefleld are now making—amount <CIIS 10s. Tlui Omauiman suggested that tho members of the Board should proceed to the machine to consider the advisability of adopting tho plan proposed, by either 1 Kinking a well or taking water from the lagoon. Alter donio discussion, it. was decided that several ! member* of the Board should meet at 2 o'clock on Tuesday (this day), for that purpose. Mii Alt's CANAL. A communication was read from Messrs. Wiseman, Yoreoe, .Toslin, iSomcrville, and several oilier persons , resident on the west side of Queen-street, calling the attention of the Board to the state of 1 agar's eanal, above Mr. Auckland's yard, and pointing out tho ( necessity of its being immediately deverted into the main sewer, and referring to Messrs. Wiseman's shop as a specimen of the state of things. Mr. Fini.ay said there was not sufficient fall to | carry it otf, as there was not less than six feet of water at a lower level than the newer. fcSouio discussion ensued, when the complaint was ordered to be laid before tho Civil Kngineer. Till'. KKMOW.I. OF THE SF.AT OK (SOVISUNMKNT. The Cmaiuman biought before the notico of the Board the circumstance of the removal of the sea f Government to Wellington, lie thought it was a most extraordinary thing that the decision of twu men, utter strangers in this colony, should have so much power with the Governor, lie contended 1 hut. at this critical juncture such an act on tho part of the imperial Government would be most monstrous. lie considered that the Native as well as the Kuropean population would be treated most unfairly by this act. He irmly believed the Natives were lighting tor what they considered to be their rights, not against the settlers but against, the Imperii! Government. He brought tho matter be ton tho Board in order that a public expression of opinion might be elicited from the Commissioners. Mr. ISllkrliaN quite agreed with the Chairman respecting the Native question, and should be glad to hear something proposed in order for the Board to show their disapproval of the contemplated removal. Mr. Geohoe considered that the Governor had broken faith with the inhabitants of Auckland. ile felt certain that if a petition was drawn up requesting the removal of his Kxcrlleney the Governor from .his post of othce, it would be numerously signed. The land had been sold here on the good faith that Auckland was to be the scat of Government. Sir, Mackvahy was of opinion that a monster meeting should be held in older for the people of Auckland to >how their views on the matter. Mr. Swa>son ami Mr. Imni.ay supported Mr. Maereadv as to the desirability ot holding a public meeting. Mr. Wkiolky ?aid that Auckland hud come to a pretty etate of things. The seat of llovemment was to be removed, the General Assembly adjourned, and the troops withdrawn. He was of opinion tln*t the time had now arrived when every man in Auckland should express their disapproval of the ruler. The thanks of Auckland were due to Sir. Stall'ord, who \n a most disintcrcsu-d manner, when the last debate on the subject took place, had defended the Province. The late disastrous war had not been an Auckland war, but-a colonial one. lie believed the southern members were moie to blame than his Excellency. Auckland, for every reason, was most suitable us the seat ofGovt rnniont. 'J lie Cnal km an was of opinion that the Native interest alone made it necessary that the seat of Government should not be removed. ]f this was the case, our lives and our property would not be safe i for a day. Mr. Dauhy said the Board felt very thankful to the Chairman for irooting the question, lie trusted the people of-Auckland would at the proposed mee--1 ting, show their opinion of the selfish conduct of the Ministiy. Qhe blow was a most sudden one and no time hud been given to Auckland to defend her own right. 1 Mr. Savanson thought it would be better for the meeting to be held indoors, on account oftheuncertaintv of the weather. Sir. W KHSTKIt s'tid, that although he considered it a settled tiling, that the seat of Government would lie removed, tit the same time he considered it was ihe duty of ail men in .Auckland to express I disapproval of the injury now about to bo done I to them. J '1 he Chairman did not look upon the removal as a pelmanent athiir, he believed that everv member in the General As.-emblv in their own hearts, believed that Auckland was the only t<uitable place for the Seat of Government. Mr. Machkaky said that a petition to lTer Majesty ought to be got up at once and a meeting called. He believed that every inhabitant, in Ihe l'rjvince would sign it. If the scut of Government was once removed it would be a ditlicult thing to bring it back again. Mr. Wkiistku then pioposed, and Mr. Tciiniii'i.t. seconded the following resolution, which -was carried unanimously—" That tins chairman be authorized to request His Honor the to rail a public meeting, to protest against, the removal of the teat of Government from A uekland, and to request the attendance of the members of the Province, and also to take any other steps that ho may consider necessary. CITV HATKS. A Report from the Collector of Bates was then laid before the meeting, staling that lie saw no reason why the value put upon the propertied referred to by Mr. Davis should be altered, as he considered tli'e amount lair and reasonable and in terms of the Act. Ai'L*r some discussion the Hoard approved of the Report. OAS WORKS ACT. Mr. Wrigg's alteration of the " Gas Works Act" was then read, which is as follows : — "AUCKLAND GAS ACT, 18G-1-, Mlt. WRlfiO.'s NOTES ON THE J!ILL. " Clause 2.—Define the words Cily Board of Commissioners in the Interpolation clauses. " Clause 3. —The said Company s uhject to such provisions and under Mich supcrinteiuienee as are hereafter specified, may open and break up the soil and pavements of the several streets and bridges, within the limits of this Act, and lay down ami place within the t-ame limits main pipes, and service pipes, for the conveyance ol gas and such other apparatus as may be necessary to secure the proper conveyance ol gas, but such main pipes, service pipes, and such other apparatus as may be necsssary, shall be so laid and constructed as not* to be a nuisance or form any obstruction in any such street, and when necessary, the company may make such sewers as may be required for carrying oil" the washings and waste liquid that may arise in tho making of gas, and for this purpose may remove and use all earth and material in and under such streets and bridges, but such sewer ro made by the said company shall not, have any communication with any sewer or drain, which has been made under Ihe direction of the City Hoard of Commissioners or is now under their control, without the consent in writing of the said Oil y Hoard of Commissioners. "All streets lawfully broken up bv (lie Gas Company, shall be restored to a perfect, state, of repair by them, and maintained in proper repair for three months to the satisfaction of the City Hoard of Commissioners ; and should the company fail to restore aud maintain such street, as aforesaid, then the City Hoard of Commissioners may cause such re-pairs to be made, and recover the cost thereof from the company in the manner hereinafter provided. "4..—Nothing herein contained shall authorise or empower the Company to break into or alter the position, level, or direction of any drain, sewer, v. ntilating shaft, manhole, entrance, or any other works connected with any smli drain, fewer, ventilating shaft, manhole, or entrance within the limits of such street, nor to erect, any hmip-pilliir or other contrivance in, under, or above the surface of such street, without having iirst obtained the sanction of the City Hoard ot Commissioners, or such otlicer as they appoint for the purpose. Clause o.—Strike out the words "S.'wer, drain, or tunnel," and for the " Superintendent, or Ids ch-rk surveyor," substitute "The City lii si-d of Commissioners, their Clerk or Engineer," uad for '• three days" use " fourteen days."

Clause C.—Strike out " Sewer, drain, or tunnel," ind for "Superintendent or his ollicer," substitute ' i'lio City Hoard of Commissioners, or their oflicor." Clause 7.—l<"or tho words "Superintendent and lis" use " City Board of Commissioners or their illicer." Clause B.—Strike out tlie words " Sewer, drain, or lunnel." Clause 9.—Strike out on second line the words 1 Sewer, drain, or tunnel," and at fifth line from end if clause add " Or shall break into or open any drain, lewer, ventilating, shaft, man-hole, entrance, or my other work connectcit with any drain or sewer," ind for the " Superintendent," substitute "Tho City Board of Commissioner?." Clause 10.—F«r " Superintendent," use " City Board of Commissioners." Clause 11.—For "Superintendent," use " City Hoard of Commissioners." Clause 10. —For "Superintendent," use "CityHoard of Commissioners," and strike out flic word ' Surgeon." Clause 20.—For " Superintendent," use " City Board of Commissioners." The report, was referred to tho law officer. UTI,ICATION FOIt .1:2,000, THE H.U.ANCU OF THE LOAN liru TO THE IIOAIID. Tho Clerk was empowered to make application to he Provincial Government fortius amount. STREET COM M ITTKK. The report, of the Street Committee was approved >f from Mr. 11. Evitf, Wakelield-strcet, stating that in consequence of the improvements now being made u Grev-strect, a retaining wall on bis property had jeeu necessary, which was sit unto on tlie west side of die same road, anil close to the new culvert. Mr. Kvitt brought forward a similar case, in which the Board had ollercd to pay half the costs of erection nf a wall on Mr. Neale's property, and requested the Hoard to consider bis ease, and act in tbe mine way— md also desiring instructions as to the intended level of tbe Board at that point. The matter was deferred until after the committee meeting. A letter was read from .Tames MeLcod, a workman sniploped by the Board, asking for an advance of wages. increased from 10s. to 12s. per day. A letter from tho Inspect >v of Buildings and Foreman of AVorks was laid before tho Board, calling uttention to I lie fact that, the duties of bis olliee lias increased, and that he required assistance. The Chairman thought that one of tho men in the employ of the Board could be selected, the Board agreeing to pay an extra sum of one shilling per day for that object. Agreed. EXTENIIINO THE IIoUNIIARV OF THE CIAY. Mr. AVuiolky, who had given notice of tho following resolution " That his Honor iho Superintendent lie requested to prepare a bill to lay before the Provincial Council next, session for the purpose of amending and extending the boundary of the City," j stale 1 that he would postpone proposing it until next meeting of the Board. Mr. Swanson objected to the postponement, and the motion was then formally put to tlie meeting. Mr. Wkioi.ky stated tbe boundaries of tho City were vei y ill defined, and his opinion was that the bounuivi v be from tbe foot of Parnell, along tho Domain, and skiitiug the Kyber Pass Koad. About .tHOIO had beonjspent in the City East to every £100 spent in tbe City West. Some discussion then ensued on tbe subject. Tbe Chairman said that the inhabitants of the Karangahapo Boad at present were exempt from taxes, being outside tlie City boundaries. If, however, those boundaries were altered in the manner mentioned by Mr. AViiglev, they would then be in the City, anil < onsequcntly subject, fo taxes. Tho proposition finding no seconder, the question dropped. foreman's retort. Tbe Foreman of AVorks" report was read and confirmed. The rates collected during the preceding week amounted to .£l4OC> INs. <:i:i:v street. ' The Ct.EitK staled that Air. Mills had given his permission to pass throi.gb his allotment in Grevstrect. Referred to law ollicer to draw up agreement. The meeting then adjourned.