AUCKLAND IMPROVEMENT COMMISSIONERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XII, Issue 4254, 2 July 1875, Page 3

AUCKLAND IMPROVEMENT COMMISSIONERS.

A MEKTINO of the members of the Improvement Commission was held in the office of the City Council yesterday afternoon. The following members were present:—Hia Worship the Mayor (in the chair), and Messrs. Healo, Fenton, and Buchanan. Minutes.—The minutes of the last general and special meetings were read and adopted. Streets.—Tho Secretary reported that the City Council had accepted the streets completed by the Commissioners. Grammar-school Reserve. — Tho Secretary reported, with reference to the petition to tho Provincial Government re Grammar School reserve, -that tho Provincial Council had adopted a report recommending the Government to hear Mr. Justico Gillies, as to the Grammar School reservo, and in event of his evidence not rebutting that already adduced, to grant tho prayer of the petition. The Improvement Bill.—lt was decided that Mr. Fenton should draft the bill, of which notice has been given in tho papers, and that it be presented at tho next sitting of the House of Representatives. It was also resolved that the Finance Committeo wait upon the bank, to consult as to tho sale of debentures, in the event of tho bill being passed. Legal Proceedings.—Tho Secretary reported that the legal proceedings against Thomas Harker had been withdrawn, at the suggestion of tho Bench, upon a legal objection that tho Secretary of tho Board had no power to lay tho information.—Mr. Fenton did not think, with Mr. Brookficld, that tho causo was virtually one between the Government and tho Commissioners; but if that were so, they ought to saddle tho Government -with tho whole of the coste of the proceedings and tho loss, and stop tho amount out of tho sum duo by the Commissioners to the Government.— Mr. Healo could not perceive how tho Government could be interested in or affected by the action, whioh was against a private individual, named Harker.—The Secretary said that this was precisely Mr. Lusk's argument in Court—Mr. Fenton said it was clear tho Government's name was used in tho matter, and he believed to its prejudice. If it was the Government's action the Board must proceed accordingly. no moved, "That tho Government be informed that tho contractors for the Drill-shed have taken and carried away certain buildings and other properties vested in the Commissioners, and that their counsel has declared in Court that such taking was known to and sanctioned to the Government, and that the Government be requested to state whether the statement was made by their authority."— The motion was seconded by Mr. Buchanan, and carried. It was agreed to take- ciril proceedings against the defendant in the late action. Finance.—ln reply to Mr. Buchanan, tho Secretary stated that tho Commissioners were in debt to the bank to tho extent of £22,000, and to tho Government £5000. The income of the Board was about £600 per annum, from lents. CoKREsroNiiEXCK.—An application from the City Surveyor for the plans of streets handed over to the City Council was granted. An application was made for permission for the Artillery Band to uso tho school-room at the back of tho old Wesleyan Chapel until the Drill-shed was completed. —Upon the motion of Mr. Huale, it was decided that the request could not be granted unless the consent of residente in tho neighbourhood was first obtained. The late Mil. Mackeady.—Tho Mayor thought that it would be right for a motion of regret to be passed in reference to tho loss <if the late Mr. Macrcady.—Mr. Ht-ale moved, and it was unanimously agreed, "That the Council of the Auckland Improvement Commissioners desires to express its Eente of the loss it has sustained in the removal from it by death of Mr. Thomas Macrcady, who from the first has been ono of its most active and attentive members."