CITY BOARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume V, Issue 1399, 12 May 1868, Page 3

CITY BOARD.

| The usual fortnightly meeting of the City Board of Commissioners was held yesterday in their offioes,' Canada Buildings. Mr. George Webster, Chairman of the Board, presiding. Present: Messrs. George, Finlay, Hill, Buguen, Keetley, Greenway, Harris. The Secret art read the minutes of the previous meeting, which were confirmed. • CORRESPOND Elf CE. The following correspondence was submitted to the Board, and was disposed of a» follows : KEMOW-BTKEET SOUTH. Mr. Gbobgk presented a petition signud by G. M. Main on behalf of certain ratepayers in .'.kelson-street South, lelating to the approaches to the street. The inhabitants were willing to contribute a portion of the cost of the necessary improvement. The petition was ordered to be received and referred to the Streets Committee, with a view of the work being carried out. UITEE aCBFW-STBEEr. " Gas Office, " Auckland, 80th April. " Sir, —I have your letter of the 28th inst., referring to extension of pipes in Upper Queen-street. There will be a meeting of the directors in a few days, when I will obtain their advice in the matter. —Yours, &0., J". . Wabk." The Secretary was instructed to acknowledge the rcceipt of Mr. Walk's letter. HOBBON-BTBBKT. i Mr. Lockwood, of Hobson-street, called the attention of the Board to the state of the road in front of his house which had, owing te the late rain?, become unapproachable. As some fine weather might be reasonably expected, he beb'eved the necessary repairs could be made at a smaller cost than if the street were allowed to Temain' in the state it is at this point any length of time. Mr Keeelby said there were very many places much worse off than that place. Mr. liiix said there had always been a soft* place there. Mr. Ghebnway said the centre of the road was very good. The communication was ordered to lie on the table. AIiBBBT-BTfitfET. Mr. Donald Sutherland, in a letter, drew the attention of the Board to the nnpassable state of the way 'eading from Albert-street Mr. T.-'.jlor's house, on li T ? pn>tior f y, »he -.'so hav.'ng broken down, l he repairs j ecP-sa-7- he considered to be small, and to be made at little cost. Mr. Geokok said the mud had pccumulated on '!'c steps. I'; tt" "• -'Pcessary thct should be removed ; he thought it should be attended to at onoe. Mr. Gbbenway said. that the mud had remained h? p for a r.ie. 'Xhe matter was referred to the Foreman of Works. ■WATER FOUNTAIN. " Superintendent's Office, " ' uc!."land, May 9, 1868. " Sir, —I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of date 28th nit., requesting that the City Board of Commissioners may be allowed to lay a water pipe to connect the main sewer with a water fountain which the Board propose to erect at the corner of Victoria-street. There is no objection to the pipe being laid, provided it be done by the Provincial Government Officer in charge of the Waterworks, and the full control of the fountain left with him. The City Board will be required to pay the cost at ourrant rates of laying on the water to the Provincial Government; and also the cost of any repairs that may be from time to time requisite. "8. W. Wtnn, " For Provincial Seoretary." The Secretary was ordered to acknowledge His Honor's letter, and accept the Government proposition. XEBBING. " {Superintendent's f'ffice, " Auckland, 9th May, 1868. ''Sir, —Herewith I have the honor to forward an account against the Board for tho sum of twelve pounds three shillings (£l2 3s), for rough kerbinj» delivered at Mount .Eden Gaol, for the use of tho Board j and I have to request that you will be good enough to cause that amount to be paid into the Provincial Treasury, at your earliest convenience.—l have, &c., "B. W. WYNN, " For the Provincial Secretary. "The Chairman of the City Board of Commissioners." Mr. Finlay moved that the account bo paid. Agreed to. BATiS. The rates collected for the week were stated at £272 3s 4d, of which £160 19s lOd represented arrears. Mr. DIBDAMS said the collecting of rates was then occupying his whole attention. The SKCBETABY said that the Collector was pushing several of the ratepayers very hard. On that subject the following petition had been received by tho Secretary.

" To the City Board of Commissioners. "The petition Of Francis O'Brien, Auckland, cabinet maker, " Humbly sheweth—That petitioner was summoned on Thursday last, by the Collector of Sates, for arrears of City Jiates, and a jfldgmenfc given against him for £5 8s 4d and costs. " That jour petitioner has been for months past entirely without work sufficient to support himself, wife and family. " That your petitioner is possessed of no goods whatever save and except a few articles of wearing apparel, belonging to and actually necessary for his family, and a few cooking utensils. " 'Chat petitioner sees at present no prospect of work which could induce him to promise payment at any Btated future period." The petitioner prayed the consideration of the Board, &c. Mr. Diddasiß said that case was of a character such as lrid been constantly turning up. Persons who had absolutely nothing wherewith to pay were called upon. The only thing that could be done was to send such persons to gaol, but that would not produce the money. He complained that in the report

of the Committee upon arrears of rates, he was charged with want of diligence. The persons were proceeded against weio those whose names appeared on the roll, and if they were incorrectly described it was their duty to come before the Board; Me. Harms believed there waa want of diligence but he did not mean that charge to apply to Mr. Diddams solely, but it applied to the whole Boards He believed that persons had gone away and taken money away with them who wore able to pay -what might havo been demanded of them in the way of rates. He thought that Mr. Diddams should not tell the ratepayers that the pressure was put on by particular members of the Board—what had been dona was tho action of the whole Board.

Mr. Hill did prolog agaiust the name of himself and Mr. Harris being used to tho ratepayers. He believod if Mr. Diddams was not able to got in the rates some other person ought to be employed to get them.

Mr. George said that the Board had never got its rights. If tho Provincial Government had not beeen able to get in bonds whioh were to be paid in twelve monthß how could it be expected that arrears could be got in by the City whose rights and privileges were withheld. Tho Government were obliged to keep their own house in order, a*id in consequence the city had to go without privileges belonging to it. Where was tho use of sending a man to gaol and paying 12s. a week to keep him there ? °

Mr. Otudams explained that a proceeding under the Act would send the person ngninsfc whom judgment was obtained for rates to the criminal side 'of the prison. The suing a person for arrears of rates was in the nature of a criminal procoeding. Many cases had beon prosecuted in which tho ratta had ban recovered, and others were coming in. He was doing all he could to got the rates from those who could pay. But they could not pay who had no means. He had to call into person's houses, and he could see at a glance whether they were in a position to pay or not. Mr, Bttgden" said that in his opinion great credi was due to Messrs. Hill and Harris, for their efforts to get in the rates. The consideration of the report was ordered to stand over'for another week. ... / FENCING UPPER QUEEN-STREET. The following tenders were received for this work : —Skinner, £68 10s; David Gouk, £63; J. J. Clark,. £43 168 ; W. Coote, £57; W. Aitchison, £G7 Bobert Barley, £62. The lowest tender was accepted by the Board.' ''' . B A "LANCE IN BANK. The Secbetaby announced that after making provision for £200 to be paid that day to the Government, tho balance at the bank was £582.- — MEETING or THE BOARD. Mr. Kin lax moved .that the Board should meet again that day month. There was very little to do, and the business the Board had to do could be equally well done in a month's time. Mr.'Kbkti.at seconded the motion. ■ > Mr. Q-EOitGE'thought that the* monthly meetings did as much business, and quite as effectually as tho fortnightly meetings. Mr. Bugben moved, and Mr. Hahkis seconded an amendment, that the meeting of the Board should be fortnightly. ' ' ' . The amendment was agreod to. After passing some accounts the mooting separated. notice or motion. ! ; Mr. Buqdbn tabled the following notice ofi motion —That no work_be paid for by the Board that is done without the consent of the Board, or the whole of tho Btreets Committee; and no work to be paid for without its being distinctly specified on the printed forms where done. " ; WESLEY AST FOKEIGjS" MISSION. A public meeting was held last evening, in the new Wesleyan Church, Pitt-street, in aid of the Foreign Misasons, under the direction of the Wesleyan Conference. , There were on the platform the Revs. Messrs. Buller, Warren, James Wallace, Dean, Oowford, Davieß, Harper, Booker, Hobbs. His Honor the Superintendent occupied the chair. The Rev. Mr. Hahteb engaged in prayer. The Citaibman said : My Christian friends, we are hereto-night to rssist the Australian branch of the Wesleyan Mission, in propagating the Gospel in foreign parts. Connected with this great missionary work the old parent sooiety established in the mother country havo done noble work in extending the knowledge of the truth, as it is in Christ, to distant parts of the globe;, But perhaps no portion of th earth has received greater advantages from the parent societies (I speak of the Church Missionary Society, as well as the Wesleyan Bociety) than the Islands of the South Pacific, and you will admit with me that no portion.'of those lands have received greater benefits than tho«e islands of New Zealand where we now dwell. . Some years ago the.parent society—l now speak of the' Wesleyan Society— thought it prudent and riglit to call upon its offspring in these lands, which she had nurtured so well and so. wisely in those Australian parte of tho British Empire, to commence on its own account, and continue the .work of missions. ' Australia took up the work, and New Zealand became united with Australia in promoting missionary enterprise. There remains yet a great deal to he done. It could not be forgotten that many of the islands of the Southern Ocean- were still unenlightened by the knowledge of the truth. Many of them have been visited, some of them are in course of being visitod, arid several of them are yet to be visited by mercy's messengers. Of this there cannot be a doubt that there is yet a wide field to enter upon. It is our business, surrounded as we are. by this wide missionary field, - deriving advantages as we have done from the preliminary work done before we came here to do our duty, we should put forth all our energy to'perform and continue those works of goodness and meroy. The report to be submitted to the meeting I ,have not seen, but it will bespeak your favourable attention to the work that is being carried on. It will more im-. mediately relate to that branch of missionary work which is being carried out by the Australian Society. " HEPOUT '• Of the Auckland Auxiliary Branch of the Wesleyan Missionary Society, for 1888. " The field of operations which is occupied by the Mifsion&ry Society, under the diroction of the Australian Weßleyan Mothodist Conference, embraces the Polynesian Islands, New Zealaud, and the Chinese population of Victoria. '1 he Society employh in its service twenty-five ordained ministers and fifty-four assistant missionaries, together with two printing establishments, and two mission vessels—a brig and a schooner.

" The whole cost of those agencies for the pa at yeir amounted to nearly £16,000, of which sum upwards of £10,000 whs raised in the Colonial Circuits and on tho mission stations; the balance is paid by the Parent Committeo in London. To the English Society wo nre also indebted for the new ship John Wesley, which has arrived during the year. This suitable vossel was provided at an expense of £6000, towards which the sum of £1000 was raised by the children of our Sabbath Schoolß throughout the colonies. " The statistical returns presented to thejlast Conference show a very small increase in the number of Church members inoludcd in our missionary schedules, but it is an encouraging fact that a very lurgo number is represented on trial for admission. These tables give a membership of 26,883, with 5,245 on probation; and also 43,176 scholar! in our mission schools. The Holy Scripture!) have been translated, and are in circulation in the several languages of the inany-tongued Polynesia, Tbe British and Foreign Bible Societj has, during the past year, sent out copies of the Fijian version to the value of more than £900, besides a largo edition of the ' Pilgrim's Progress* in the same language. " la tho Friendly Islands staff has been increased by the addition of the Bev. J. W. Walli;, F. W. Habone, and their wives, who safely reached theiv destination in tho Mission brig, and have entered upon their work in good earnost. In this group fuliy one fourth of the whole population iB enrolled in the Church books; while Christianity exerts a iroral influence upon the entire community. The missionaries aro giving their attention to the important matter of education forthe young—and tho training of candidates for the ministry from among the Native teachers. Missionary anniversaries are now an Institution in these Islands. Every village has its annual meeting, and the Tonguese Christians manifest a hearty liberality in the support of the cause. "In Samoa the labours of your agents have bc-en greatly interrupted by means of a disastrous inter tribal war. You will bo glad to know that peace has been restored at the date of our latest information, and that notwithstanding this evil the Christian Natives have contributed even more largely than before to the funds of the Society.

" In the solitary Island of Rotumah, the Rev. W. Fletcher, 8.A., continues his untiring labors under 'difficulties,' butnot without reward.

" The past year in tho hiatory of our Fijian mission will be remembered—especially on account of the death of the "Rev. T. Raker, by the hand of violence. Full particulars of this mournful event have been published in the quarterly Missionary Notices. The same publication, icsued in January last, contains a most interesting communication addressed to the general Secretary of the Missionary Society; the Rev.S. Babone, fromtheßev. J. B.Smythe, Chaplain on board H.M.S. Brisk, dated November 25th 1867. That letter is worthy the consideration of all!who feel an interest in as it does, the testimony of an "impartial and competent observer (during two cruises to Fiji and other South Sea Islands) to the very importantjresults of Christian Missions in those lands.

" Our Maori Mission in New Zealand present* nothing new. The four stations of Hokianga, Kaipara, Raglan, and Taranaki, are under the charge "of the Revs. Messrs. Whitely, Schahckenberg, Gittos, anil Rowao. The demoralising effects of the late war, the fatal influence cf intemperate habits, and the distraction of political movements continue seriously to hinder the work in their Mission Circuits. In the whole of them we report~3B6 church members and 1891 hearers. We are thankful that amid abounding wickedness a remnant remain faithful; nor are th'sre wanting indications of a better state of things among others, as will appear from the following extracts of a letter lately received fyom your devoted Missionary the Rev. O. H. Nchnackenberg. .

"The natives at- Motuhatoko are principally Kawhia people—Kingism or Queenism, plundering in the came of one or the other—drinking and horseracing—threatening or flattering me, have occupied much of their time ever since I came among, them. Last Sabbath I found them with some of our books, (and no cards or newspapers) Bitting on the, fern on both sides of the ' poutahuhu mo tetahi whare karakia hou,' [the ridge-pole for a new church] —a good sign. Let us pray that ' the disobedient;' may he inolined"'to-the wisdom of the jußt, to make ready a people prepared of the Lord.'

. ' " The amount: 'contributed by the Auckland' Auxiliary" for thVpas't year waß far below that of preceding years: This may be accounted for by the unprecedented, depression of the times, rather than from a diminishing'interest in' the 1 Mission : cause. The entire amount wag ;i67 16s_3Jd, oollected by the ladies and the Sunday Scholars'." Besides this-, our Sunday 'Schools furtuened by collecting the sumjof £26 Os4d_towards the cost of the new John Wesloy. The collections of yesterday, as far as yet ascertained, amotuit to about £18." The Chairman called upon the Rev. Mr. Warren to move.the first resolution.' The Kev. 'Mr." Wabbbn in ' proposing the first resolution " That the report'now read be adopted, and that this meeting expresses its thanksgiving to Almighty God for that measure of success whioh haa rewarded the labours of this and kindred Sooisties during the past year,". Said that he knew no subject more Interesting than that connected with Missionary, enterprise, and the efforts a church made in that direction was a sure indication .of the spiritual life within it. Every pious man must rejoice in every missionary work that was undertaken. Those missionary anniversaries formed a bond of union between the churches' and aiding and encouraging each other to the performance of good works. 'However much men might differ in color, or conformation,; or capacity they were all the children of the same divine Father. All men were the neighbours of "the true christian, and Christianity called upon all its members to enter upon missionary work with zeal. It was impossible to love God without assisting those who were in darkness. Christ himself was the Prince of Missionaries, and those who were christian men and women would assist zealously ,in missionary work. Christianity was the love of Christ shed abroad in the Gospel. The only • way of raising up the nations of the heathen, was by_ preaching the Gospel, and the preaching of the Gospol was to be promoted and undertaken by the Chnroh. 'The history of every nation showed.that it was redeemed from heathenism by ohriatianitj. Some of thoie nations were the most civilized of the present day, and that being so, it behoved them to lend their aid in shedding the light' of the Gospel upon those who were in darkness. . The Chairman called on the Rev. Mr. Macdonald to second the resolution. The Bev. Mr. Macdonald was one of the oldest Misionaries in the South Pacific.'' The presence of that reverend gentleman in Auckland was owing to the London Missionary Society. To that great Society the people of Auckland were indebted for the labours of his reverend friend amongst them. The Bev. Mr. Macdonaid (Independent) in seconding the resolution gave an interesting account of his labors in Missionary work whioh was listened to with'the greatest attention. The Tier. Mr. Oornfobd (Baptist) supported the resolution. .Missionary enterprise was, as it were, an appendix to the Acts of the Apostles—the prolongation of the great work. He gave a long account of Missionary labor and vicissitudes in Jamaica with which he had for a considerable time boen conneoted.

The-motion for the adoption of tbe report was carried unanimously. The Hev. Mr. DbaN moved the seoond resolution: " That this meeting, resting upon the promise of the Holy Spirit, to give effect to human agency in the world's salvation, feels tho Deed of more fervent prayer,; and of greater effort on the behalf of the Missionary Institution." He regarded,the motion'as a very important one. It began at the beginning by recognising that the spirit of God 4 was the first necessity of those who would successfully evangelize the world. If it was for a moment forgotten that all success came from God, or if they ignored it, their labor would be in vain. But. if they recognised the influence of the Holy Spirit, and invoked it, they might reasonably expect a blessing to follow their efforts. Prayer was necessary to success—not the cold prayer that seeme d to come from an ioeberg—not the eloquent order of words, but the earnest utterance of a heart that is fervent, yearning until the blessing it asks is vouchsafed to it. The resolution also set forth the necessity of effort, and increased effort, andbyrelianceonthe promise of the Holy Spirit, and constant earnest prayer, they might hope to reap the fruits of their labour.

The Bev. T. W. Davibs seoonded the resolution. The resolution, though very comprehensive, was at the Bame time very pithy. It contained all that was requisite ' to the successful prosecution of missionary enterprise. The Missionary Society was the true friend of humanity, 'l'ho work of the statesman and the economist -was the expression of things deeper, and sin was the root underlying all the evil in the world. Christianity it -which plucked it up, and pi evented its destructive growth. It was to assist the propagation of Christianity they were called together that night Prayer was the true link between the Divine and human creature. He was glad to find a recommendation in the resolution to rest on the promise of the Holy Spirit. Christianity was no longer an experiment, but it was a work which all were called upon to promote. The Rev. Mr. Bookbb supported the resolution, and exhorted the meeting to faith and consistent effort. The resolution was carried unanimously. The Kev. John Hobbs moved the third resolution :— " That the thanks of this meeting be given to the collectors, and that the following gentlemen, together with the Circuit Ministers, be requested to be the Committee of this Auxiliary for the coming year, via., Messrs. Fletcher, Edson, Oaley, Griffiths, J. Wilson, Henderson, R. Hobbs, and B. Arthur. He said the claims of the collectors should be recognised. It was the collectors who, by their work, helped to clothe and feed the missionary. When he came to the work it was owing to the energy of the collectors that he and his brethren had never seen the bottom of the flour cask. (Laughter.) The collectors, he thought, were deserving of all praise. The names of the Committee for the ensuing year were their own recommendation. The Bev. Jab. Wallace seconded tho resolution. Although Mr. Hobbs had never seen the bottom of his flour cask there were others not bo fortunate. Sometimes the bottom of the flour caßk wbb seen at tho present day. Only a short time ago the wife of a Missionary had just used up her last pinch of flour when Captain Hope enabled her to cover the bottom of the flour caßk again. (Laughter.) The resolution wub carried unanimously. The Hev. Mr. Bulleb in moving a vote of thanks to his Honor the Superintendent, for presiding, said he was sorry to seo such a skeleton meeting present. It was a great discouragement. What ever reasons thare might; be for it he did not think them sufficient to justify the neglect of such a work as they had in hand.

A vote of thanks was passed to Hiß Honor by acclamation.

The Doxology having been Bung, the Bev. Mr. Buller pronounced the benediction, and the meeting separated.