CITY BOARD,

New Zealand Herald, Volume IV, Issue 1210, 1 October 1867, Page 4

CITY BOARD.

A meeting of the City Board was held yesterday, at the City Board of Commissioners' Office, Queen-street, the following members being present:—Messrs. Bain (chairman), Morgan, Enlay, D. Graham, .Hill, JBugden, and Mac' ready. - ■ MINUTES. The Sbceetaby read the minutes of the two meetings, which.were confirmed. ; : - THE WOBKB IN DBAKE-STBEET. The Secbetaby read a letter from Mr. Thos. Bawdou, the,contractor, stating that, in accordance with the report of the Foreman pf Works, he was willing to , the sum of £143 as payment in full for the extra works in connection with the contract; and also a second letter from the same party consenting to receive the sum of £175 as compensation,for delays. The informed the Board that tno Wholu of the amount due on account of the

original contract had been paid; in addition to a suoi of £30, : on account of the extra works. j Mr.' Finlay moved that the, contractor s offers be accepted.. • . Seconded.by Mr. Bugden, and carried.. . ' BATES AND OVERDKAFT. The Secretary stated tliat the rates collected since last meeting amounted to £/80 / s. od.> and that the overdraft had been reduced to £305 12s. 9d., a cheque for £180 2s. sd. being still due to the Gas Company. ■ •

I,IST OF AHIIHAHS, 1 ' - Thp Secretary stated that a list of arrears Oi rates due liad been compiled from tho roll, m accordance with a resolution passed at a previous sitting of the Board, and would be ready for inspection in a few days'time. APPEAL COMMITTEE. The minutes of the Appeal Committee were confirmed. REPAIRS TO WATER' CARTS; The Secretary read three tenders for repairs to water carts. _ : . The Chairman said lie did not think the Board would be justified in accepting these tenders, which had been called for by a private party who was interested in the matter. _ Mr. Finlay moved that tenders be called for in the ordinary way by the Board. Seconded by Mr. Hill and carried.

VACANT ALLOTMENT, CUSTOMHOUSE-STREET. The Secretary placed before the Board a request by Mr. J. B. .Russell for leave to stack a large consignment of timber which he expected to receive shortly upon allotment No. 6 in Cus-tomhouse-street. _ ~i,i i Mr. Macready said he did not think the atiotment alluded to was under the control of the Board, Mr. Whitaker, when Superintendent, having taken it from them. After some discussion it was Agreed that tne application should be granted upon the distinct understanding that the timber should not be placed in the street.

THE GAS LAMPS. _ The Secretary read a complaint from the Foreman of Works, Mr. Anderson, to the effect that lately the street lamps had been much neglected, the contractor for lighting them having gone to the diggings, leaving his business in the hands of a deputy. Mr. Finlay* said he had observed in his own neighbourhood a meter lamp without any burner, which caused a great waste of gas. He thought the lamp lighting, &c., should be regularly tendered for, and that some competent officer of the Board should inspect the lamps at stated times. Mr. Hill said perhaps it would be as well to let the matter stand over for a day or two. The man who was responsible for the proper keeping of the lamps had gone to the diggings, in the hope of doing something better. It would be well not to be too hard upon him in these dull times, a? he might return in a day or two. He wondered they had not heard something about the waste of gas in the newspapers before this. It was agreed to let the matter stand over. HAVELOCK STIiEET.

The Secretary read a letter from the Foreman of Works, stating that the surface water had formed large ruts in the middle of Havelock street, which had been remedied by opening the water channels. assistance at fires. In reference to a claim made upon tho Board by Mr. Isaacs, for the sum of £1 14s as money due on account of labour employed at the late fire in Grey street, the Secretary read a letter from the Foreman of Works, stating that he had given permission for tho employment of the men on the City Board engine, but had given no authority for paying them. Mr. Macbeady said it was the custom for people to always rush £o thci City Board engine at fires, because they knew they would get paid for it, and thus they were in truth only robbing the Board while they pretended to be assisting it.

The Chairman said the Board ought to consider whether it was going to allow this practice of paying for casual assistance at fires to grow into a precedent. Mr. Finlat thought as Tthe Foreman had given authority to employ the men tho Board should pay them, thongh it should be understood that for the future no such authority was to be again given.

Mr. Bugden said Mr. Anderson Laving given the authority it was the same as actually employing the men. Mr. Macekady said the Foreman of Works had no right to employ men in such, a manner He would like Mr. Anderson to know that with regard to the City Board engine no one should be alio fed to meddle witli it unless by authority of the Board.

After some further discussion it was agreed that the amount should be paid. Several accounts were then passed and the meeting separated.