THE "Invcniam viam ant faciam." DUNEDIN, SATURDAY, AUGUST 9, 1862.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 209, 9 August 1862, Page 4

THE " Invcniam viam ant faciam." DUNEDIN, SATURDAY, AUGUST 9, 1862.

We wonder, if the reflection did not come across a great many of those who were witnesses of the fire on Thursday night, thnt every householder in the town is liable to a similar occurrence, and that in nine situations out of ten 'a conflagration would be attended with infinitely more disastrous consequences. Although the fire was confined to a small set of buildings, it was very nearly communicated to the houses on tlie opposite side of the street. What then would be the result with a large building on fire in the miikt of numberless other buildings, such as compose the blocks in. the busy positions of the.town? Destruction and ruin would be dealt out wholesale; and, under present circumstances, the lookers-on would be doomed to inaction ; they would be powerless for good. The crowd on Thursday night seemed to think the fire a kind of a joke,—a very different feeling to that displayed iu Loudon or other large cities when fires occur. Probably the feelings of ridicule were excited (very little makes u crowd laugh) by the small syringe, or garden squirt, that was brought, on the ground to serve as a fire-engine. The Police did what they could, but they had no means or appliances to aid them; ami, m short, it was painfully apparent that the inhabitants ofthe town are powerless and helpless in the presence of the Fire King.

This should not be. Fire is one of those calamities that, with the greatest care, cannot be avoided. The inhabitants of Otago have indeed cause to be thankful that hitherto, with one exception, they have escaped any very considerable fire. Hut this certainly cannot last, and with the frail wooden buildings, crowded houses, und careless u»c of stoves, and all sorts of light, it is little short of a miracle that there have been so few fires. In a few days the Dunedin Improvement Ordinance comes into operation, and the power is there given the Town Board-to form a brigade and take other precautions aga'uut fire the expense of the same to be defrayed by rates on the inhabitants. We are sure no one will object to rates for such purposes, and we sincerely hope that the Town Board, forgetting its usual habits, will act with energy and decision. There must be no writing home to Glasgow to ask the price of this, that, or the other, but the very day the Ordinance comes into force, steps should be taken for providing every immediately available means for protection against fire.

Fire engines though much needed, are not the most important adjuncts required. On thecontrary, tis thc majority of the buildings in the town are of wood, the greatest service that could be rendered inmost fires would be the materials for immediately leveling adjoining buildings, so as to interpose a gap to the progress of the flames. In Ballarat a short while ago a tremendous fire was arrested bv

an adjoining building being pulled down. The whole operation was completed in under five minutes, although the building was of a considerable size. Of course they had special appliances for the purpose such as ropes, chains, and grappling irons. Why should not these be immediately provided, and a few men daily drilled into learning how to use them 'i. It would be well for the Town Board to place the management of tiie Brigade under thc directions of the Commissioner of Police. A few constables might be told off specially for the service. They would be under better control, and more highly disciplined than tiny other men that could be procured. Of course the Town Board would have to pay the expense. A Volunteer Brigade might also be formed from anion"" the number of young men In the town, who could readily spare a few hours a week for the purpose. We are glad to see a suggestion to this effect from a correspondent in another column. Another consideration, of the highest importance is, that not only property but human life would bo seriously jeopardised iu case of a conflagration, A fire recently occurred in the city of London, in which four persons were burnt to death, before assistance could be rendered, so rapid was the progress of the flames. The building was in one of the leading thoroughfares, so that it was probably of a much more substantial character than the majority of tenements in Dunedin. Many of the latter would bum like chip boxes, and supposing there to be people sleeping in the upper stories, nothing would save them but those engines known as " fire escapes," by whioh thousands of lives have been saved at home. They are of very simple construction and would not require to be sent home for. It is dreadful to reflect on the loss of life that might . occur which could be saved by their means. Take, for instance the hospital, an unusually tall building of three stories. If a fire were to break out, no human assistance could reach the unfortunates in the upper stories unless in the shape of " fire escapes." Two or three of them should be constantly kept on the premises. Unfortunately it is not till the mischief has occurred

possibility of its occurrance. Yesterday, we believe, in consequence ofthe fire the previous night the insurance offices were besieged with applications for insurance. We were also assailed with several communications respecting the formation of fire brigades. But in a few days the excitement will die out, the fire be forgotten, and the old blind confidence, or rather indifference, be again manifested. We confess our inability to bring home to the people of Dunedin the danger they run. They repose on a loaded mine, which may an}' moment explode. They may go , tobed happy and contented.rich in wordlypossessions, and surrounded by blooming families. The morning sun may smile on blackened ruins—their hearths stripped, their wealth gone; and; worst of all, some of the happy tones that brought joy to thc home-circle stilled for ever. Fire is no respecter of persons : what we write is as applicable to the loftiest as to the lowl/. The sullen angry flames spread on from the cottage to the mansion—from the humble shop to the palatial store. Iu those hours of agony when, some of our readers may see their all ruthlessly swept from them, the bitter reflection may arise that but for culpnble, criminal negligence, the means might be at hand to check the wide-spreading desolation. In th°.t hour, the columns and columns wc have written on. thc subject may rise up before them, and with startling reality accuse them of the trust neglected—the warning unheeded. Whilst we pray that our prophecies may not be realised, we cannot conceal that in the catalogue of chances they are more likely to prove true than false.

" Tbe Colleen Bawn" seems likely to have a good run. There was a capital house again last night at the Theatre Royal, and the piece went off with as much eclat as upon former occasions. We believe that, encouraged by thc reception it bas met with, ihe management intend to reproduce it this evening, ami possibly for some nights longer. After the play, Little May appeared, and sang "My cottage by the Sea," and " I love tht mcrrv, merry Sunshine." In the latter song she was particularly successful, and was very heartily applauded. The amusing farce of " The Artful Dodge" followed. As the Artful Dolgor Mr. Dernontlienes Dodge, Mr. R. p,. Dale evinced a genuine vein of native humour, and Mr. Woke was also very entertaining. The scene w};*re Mr. ! Kitzfudge's hands are tied behind his back, and j Dodge getting behind him, helps bim out of bis I "difficulty by lending him not merely a band, but ! a pair of hands, the effect-was exceedingly eo- | inical. | It is to be hoped au inquest will be held to | enquire into the origin of the fire. It is smficicnt Ito say that there are rumour* flying about the | town, whicli make sueh a step imperative. 3 We have on more than one occasion had to notice tlie cxtinordinary ignorance tleit prevails in otherwise well-informed circles in England, as to the geography of the colonies, even the great Timet has more than once been caught tripping. The following extract from the Mt>u,it Ahxntuh-r Mail, draws attention t„ ;l J H te and glaring instance ofthe t«une kind, and that not in a mere | newspaper, where hasty writing is to a certain cttent cx-usaMe. Tin M,s,',\h remarks an- in follows : —« An advertising pill vendor announce-,-that his pill* are to be obtained in all parts of ■ th.i world am. in Australia. A short time ago lit ..was maintained in official rjrcles that New South Wa!e.« wa« in South Australia : and even now, although geographical knowledge of the antipodes has made considerable progress in England, instances are numerous where much want of information has been displayed. The latest is tbat wliich appears in u Jate number of the Critic under the bead of " Science and Inventions." and where tiie publie are informed that the Acclimatisation Society has established the most satisfactory relations with Queensland and Australia !''

| There is at last some sign of tbe long promised paved crossings. A commencement has been

made at the junction of Ruttray-strei-t. and l'rin-es-.strcct, mar the Bank of New South Wales, and ia a few days pedestrians may be able to get across the street without plunging uncle deep in the mud. Wc would suggest that the Town Hoard, should make ai-ninnements for having the crossings regularly swept, or otherwise they will be of little benefit. A week or two ago, it was resolved by the Town Board, tbat tbe occupier* in pub!!.- streets should be served with notices to clean the footpaths in front of tlieir premises, nt least once a .lay. We sbould like to know if that resolution bas bmi carried out, as we sec no sign of improvement in the statu of tbe causeways, tbeir condition in wet weather being little better tban that ofthe roads. It will be remembered tliat the ship Lady • Egidia, on ber last voyage to Otago, came via Launceston, Tasmania, 'at which port she discharged a number of immigrants. It would nppenr that it would have been more fortunate for those immigrants if tbey bad come on to Otago, as employment is very difficult to obtain jii Tasmania at tbe present time. The Launceston Reporter of July nth states tbat many of the families, single men and women ofthe late immigrants per Duly Egidia are in want of employment. It is worthy of consideration, whether the efforts of tbe Provincial Government to promote immigration to Otago migbt not be directed with as mucb advantage and more economy to places nearer at band than Great Britain. It is verv • probable that, witb similar inducements to those held out to immigrants from Great Britain numbers in 'the adjoining colonics would gladly avail themselves ofthe opportunity of settling in tbis Province.

AVe are requested to correct a misprint, whicb occurred in the letter signed, " A New Zealand Colonist," whicb appeared in onr issue of yesterday.—" Tbeir charitable heat," sbould have been " this charitable heart-"

, Mr. Lamb, the champion billiard player of tl • Australian Colonies, will have to look to his laurels. Bell's Life says :—" The great success attending the visit of the English cricketers has caused a desire on tbe part of our billiard players to induce James Roberts, undoubtedly thc best player in England, if not in the world, to pay a visit to Australia. Very liberal offers have been forwarded to Idm, and his passage-money by the overland route has been paid in advance. In the event of bis agreeing to tho proposed arrangements, it is suggested that, in addition to matches in this colony, he should visit Sydney, Adelaide and Tasmania, where he might deliver a short lecture on the game, practically illustrating the subject by some of the wonderful strokes for which he is so justly renowned, and return to

Our account in yesterday's issue of the fire in George-street was necessarily short and hurried, and we now give a few more particulars. Thc police constable on duty in the neighborhood, had passed the premises a short time previous to the discovery of the fire, and Everything was apparently safe, and he was some distance from the house when he saw the flames bursting out of Fischer's premises. There being no one abput just at the moment, he could only shout out an alarm of fire, and run towards the town to ring i thc alarm bell. He met one person, whom he I asked to run nnd ring the bell, but that indiviI dual refused ; fortunately another man came up and volunteered to do so. By this time one of tho lodgers iu Beamish's house, next door to Fischer's, discovered that Fischer's house was on fire, and he at once gave the alarm to the rest of the house, and they had hardly time to dress themselves and secure their money and loose valuables before the fire had got firm hold ofthe house. A portion of the furniture and bedding was also rescued. Within a quarter of an hour from thc discovery ofthe fire, Fischer's premises were blazing furiously in every part of the building, the inflammable nature of the contents, furniture, mattrasses, straw, flocks, &c, causing the fire to spread with "fearful rapidity, and it was at once evident that nothing could be done to save the burning house. An attempt was made to pull down the end of Allan's house and this was partiullv effected, but the rapid spread of the flames nnd the intense heat, obliged the parties engaged to desist from any further attempt to pull down the building. The premises destroyed, formed a detached block of three houses, there being no building for a considerable distance on the south side of the road, and they were serrated by about 30 feet from the line of houses on the north side. Behind was a number of detached cottages and outhouses, but fortunately, at a tolerably safe distanee. On the opposite side of the road was the Albion Boarding House, an iron-roofed huilding.and this wa3 in very imminent danger. The flames from the burning buildings reached nearly across the road, and a perfect shower of sparks rained continuously on the building. Had this house been shingled, instead of roofed with iron, it is extremely probable it would have caught fire from the quantity of burning sparks which fell upon it- As it was, it was only by banging wet blankets from the verandah roof that it was saved. The greatest danger threatened the block of buildings, in the line ofthe fire and only about 30 feet from it. Numbers of men speedily volunteered to assist in saving these premises, and their praiseworthy efforts were fortunately successful. There was an abundant supply of water at the war of the buildings, and bv means of a line of buckets, water was handed by ropes to the roof of the house, and a number of blanket* having been suspended from the gable end of'the building, the water was poured over them, and by keeping them constantly wet. the attack of thc flames was successfully resisted. In about three-quarter* of an hour after the outbreak of the fire a few brick chimneys standing in a glowing mass of burning embers, alone remained on the site of the- fire. The fire engine, as we stated in our other report, did not arrive until the fire had done its worst, and owing to some derangement, its services were not made available. A company of the Totii Regt. bad also marched down from thcl«irnt<"k.«, but their services were not required. Wh< n the fin« was at its licight, it illumined the whole valley fer a great distance : the night was clear ami frosty, and to windward the reflection of thc flames on tlie wooded acclivities of the nelu'^orho.*]. had a mo=t strikng eflect. As | might be anticipated, the fire caused tlie utmost alarm in the town, the report of the fire itself Udng variously exaggerated as to its extent and locality. Numbers of merchants and others residing at a distanee from Dun'din, had ridden or walked into town, filled with all kinds of serious anticip;'.'ions, and all along George-street the occupants bad risen in alarm, and were anxiouslv watrhing the fire from tbe doors and windows of the houses. The Ay of July 2.*th, says—'- The first halfyearly meeting ofthe Victorian Kaolin Company was held yesterday afternoon, at the Company's office.*, Eidon Chambers. From our report of the proceedings it will be seen that good progress has Ix*u made iu developing the resource-s ofthe colony. Thc company has now succeeded in getting iis establishment at Bulla Bulla into working order, and the first quantity of kaolin has jn-'t been brought to town. Tbe purposes to which kaolin nuy be -applied are very numerous; but the use the pmchasers made ol the first lot appears to have been unknown by tlie company. 11 was used as an ingredient in the manufacture of soap, and so satisfactory has the result been that an application for a patent has been made. With the present appliances, about twenty-five ! tons of kaolin can be brougltf to Melbourne per week, at u maximum cost in winter—thc most I unfavorable season—of 1/2 per ton. In addition j to the China clay, for which thc lease was secured, considerable deposits of almost pure magnesia have been fouud, which it is believed will prove of considerable value in England. Some colored kaolin has also been discovered in the workings, nnd it Ls thc opinion of Mr. Johnson, the analytical chemist, to whom samples have been submitted, that this article will prove equal, if not superior, to any of the ochres found in Euro; e. The report submitted by thc directors was unanimously adopted, and the following gentlemen were elected to the board : —Messrs. ,1. Hood, M.L.A., R. Forrest,ll. S. Sitaw, \Y. Thomson, and "W. Stoggart.

Of the numerous addresses presented to ber Majesty expressive of tbe sympathy felt by all classes of ber subjects in her present bereavement the following is perhaps one ofthe most touching and heartfelt, each of those poor widows having probably experienced sorrow of a similar kind to tbat which has fallen to the lot of their beloved sovereign. We quote from Bell's Weekly Messenger the following address, signed by upwards of 400 poor women, a large portion of whom are widows, attending the "Mothers' Meetings" in connection with the London Bible and Domestic female Missions of St.. Clement Danes, Strand, which bns been presented to and graciously received by the Queen: —"To the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty,—May it please your Majesty: We, the women of tbe Mothers' Meetings belonging to the Bible Women's Missions in St. Clement Danes, Strand, some of tbe poorest and most humble of your Mujestys subjects, venture to approach your Majesty witb our sympathy. We have shed many bitter tears over our Queen's great sorrow, and have offered up constant and earnest prayer for ber consolation. Aud now, as women we venture to express tbe deep feeling of our hearts for a grief which many of us know but too well; and, as subjects, to say that it has bound us to your Majesty's throne with more loyalty and affection than we ever felt before. Your Majesty's name in the"prayers of our church and that of the young Prince nnd the Royal family, we find to be more tban they ever were, signals for heart-

their queen; and this we venture to suggest as a source of comfort to your Majesty, ht we believe that God will now, as of old time, listen to a nation's cry. We think that though your Majesty has the sympathy and support of tlie highest persons in the realm, you will not despise the prayer of tlie poor destitute, whieh i 3 all they have to offer.—We are, Madam, &e."

We notice that some person, with more courage aud enterprise than prudence, has commenced tke erection of a store in tiie space recently excavated m the Cutting. The high earth banks which su:round the building on three sides are by ne mears secure, aud sufficient evidence has already been afforded of their treacherous character by the bank falling and nearly burying an adjoining store.

We were glad to notice yesterday, that a few raen were put on to work at the Cutting. This is a little improvement, but the number employed is not a| tenth part of that wind, the work requires. Why should not operations be carried on also during the night? The streets being empty, they could be conducted with greater ease and more security. We hope the Government will insist on at least fifty men being kept at the work day and night, the whole of the earti; would then be removed in a few dava.

"We quote the following from the Weekly Despatch :—" The census returns show that between 1841 and 1861 the population of the United Kingdom increased by more than 2,ooo,ooo—from 27,000,000 to above 29,000,000, notwithstanding " the famine whieh desolated Ireland in 1847, and notwithstanding also that there left our shores' 4,000,000 emigrants, the vast majority of them natives of this kingdom. Au annual publication of the Board of Trade gives with official accuracy and authority an account of the progress of the country in these twenty years. Wars and rumours of wars have compelled us to add considerably to our national debt, but we have so far reduced the addition that the TL79Q,574,60S of 1841 is no more than L793,349,807 in 1861. The close of the 20 years sees us better tax payers than the beginning. Tiie net revenue in 1841 was but 1^8,084,359; in 1861 it was L63.905.884. Tbe customs' duties, notwithstanding the millions of taxation repealed or reduced, actually rose from L21,898,845 to L22,765,338.' The expenditure advanced from L50,185,729 to LOO, 120,092, and this although the interest of the debt was reduced from 1.29,450,145 to L26,090,260. The expenditure for the defence of the country bad to be raised from Ll 4,722,623 in 1841 to £•28,317,341 in 1861, nearly double the former amount; and the civil charges are also stated as rL-Ing from L6.012,966 to Ll 1,712,491. Happily with so much more taxation to pay, we are now doing a very much larger business. In 1841 the exports of British and Irish produce were of the ; value of L51,545,116, and iu IS6I they were 125.115,133; the exports to foreign countries rose from L36,54!,691 to L82,854,163,and to British possessions from Ll 5,003,425 to L42,260,570. In 1841 we im juried 457,992,3551b. of raw cotton, 1861 1,250,984,7361b.; and the export of cotton maufactures, twist and yarn rose from L23,499,478 to L40,630,749. In 1841 we imported 56.170,9741b of wool, and exported woollen manufactures and | yarn of tbe value of L6,300,821 -, in 1861 we imj ported 147,172.8411b., andexported to the value jof L14,087,31G. In IS4I we exported iron and ; steel (in addition to cutlery) of the value of 3 I^,^-7,278; in 1861 it was £.10,341,574. Haberi dashery (besides linen and silk manufictares) of the value of L1,217,975 was exported in lS4l;in 1861 it was L5,577,064. To carry aii these piles of goods British and foreign vessels of the following tonnage entered and cleared from our ports:—ln 1841, British, 6.79Q.490-. foreign, 2,628.057. Iu 1861. British, 15,420,535; foreign', 11,175,109 tons. We imported in lS4i 3,027,562 qrs. oi" grain and meal; in 1861, 10,094,914 qrs. The price of wheat was 645. 4J. iu 1*41; 555. 4d. "in 1651. The marriages in England were 122,496 iu 1841, and had risen to 165,250 in 1861; and tbe excels of births over deaths from 168,311 ia

the former year to 2G0,2J2 in the latter. Between 1547 and 18G1 our railways were more than doubled in length, and the number of passengers and the trffinc receipts were more tban trebled ! These are a few examples ofthe figures that show the progress made between IS4I "and 1861, and we may add with honest pride, tbat there are items which cannot be put into ficmres."

A meeting of ratepayers was held at Sawyer's ' Bay yesterday, lor the purpose of electing "head trustees for the North Harbor District." The meeting assembled at the house of Mr. Joseph Morris, and consisted of nine persons, Mr. Duke presiding. By tbe votes of tbe majority, Messrs. Clemison. Perry, Pack, Bolton, and Hammond were elected, the meeting having resolved to appoint only five. At the conclusion ofthe business several of the members animadverted on the impassible condition of the Port Chalmers and Dunedin road. Mr. Duke urged the propriety of a meeting on tbe subject being immediately held. Mr. Wright spoke strongly ofthe mismanagement and partiality exhibited in the employment of a large body of men on the road in the North East Valley, while nothing whatever was doin<* at tbe Port Chalmers end, where the necessity for improvement was ten fold greater. From what he could learn, the number of men employed there were only an embarrassment to each other—about a dozen men being usually seen looking on at one man doing the work. By dividing the eangs some justice, however tardy, would be done to' Port Chalmers aud its district. Mr. Morris reminded Messrs. Duke and Morris that thev were members of a committee who had been appointed to watch over the manor; and he recommended that, with the other member, Mr. M'Diarmid, they should arrange forthe holding a public meeting at an early date. This was agreed to. and it was understood that tlie meeting should be -appointed to take place some evenin«> next week, in the schoolhouse, or courthouse, at Port Chalmers.

From a return just published, in reply to a question asked by Mr. L. L. Smith in the Legislative Assembly, ou the 13th May last, we (Age) learn that tbe number of letters posted iu the colouy of Victoria, in the year ISGI, was 5,166,149 ; and of newspapers, 2,817,761. The total revenue derived was £127,569 9s. 2d. ; and the total expenditure £109,276 7s. 2d. The return, however, does not include letters 'and newspapers received from beyond the seas.

Mr. Micawber, the friend and adviser of David Copperfield, after waiting for years ia England for somethiug to "turn up," was at last fain to make a voyage to Australia,' and if the story may be believed, hi» expectations were not disappointed. Strang* things do " turn up" in Australia sometimes; hundred weights of gold for example, and « monster turnips," but the following paragraph frot* the Ovens Constitution, supplies the strangest instance yet on record of what may happen to a man in Victoria. "At Murdoch's paddock, at Oxley, no less than forty-eight snakes have been ploughed up lately. The average«finds* were about seven per day, and the largest specimens BJSyißflLkfrft fo 4 fftpt fi in length/'

We have to acknowledge the receipt of £l from Dr.Basire,Port Chalmers, as a subscription to the Hughes fund. The following was the condition of H. M. Gaol, Dunedin, on Friday night, the Sth August - Prisoners awaiting trial before the Supreme Court 6 males and 1 female; under sentence with hard labor, 50 males and 9 females ; 2 males and 3 females were undergoing a short term of im prisomnent, and 1 male prisoner had been re mancled elsewhere; 1 male was imprisoned for de&ult of bad, and 12 males were imprisoned for debt and 6 males confined as l una 4. Total number of prisoners in gaol on Pridavniaht 91 being 78 males and 13 females; 8 male a'nd 2 female pnsoners were received, and 8 male ori soners were discharged during the week. at v%^ al 7 meeth!» °f *»> Justice, will be held at Port Chalmers on the 2nd September, to receive applications for the transfer of publican's licenses. Our sable imp insists on our inserting the folowmg extract, thinking it may be a suggestive hint for the Dunediu Debating Society debating society in Sclmectadv, the other day the subject was, -Which is the sweetest production, a girl or a strawberry?' After continuing j the argument for two nights, the meeting finally ! adjourned without coming to a conclusion, the old ones going for the strawberries, and the younones for the girls. J a An adjourned licensing meeting, under the I rovmcial Licensing Act, was held at 11 o'clock at the Provincial.Govermnent Offices. Present, John Hyde Harris, Esq., Deputy-Superintendent, John M'Glashan, Esq., the Provincial Solicitor W If. Reynolds, Esq., the acting Provincial 1 reasarer, aad J. Paterson, Esq. H is Honor the -deputy Superintendent in the chair The ap plications of James Doughty, Golden Cross Hotel Tokomairiro, and T. R, Simpson, Thistle Hotel' East Taieri, were granted. The applications of Thos. larnell,Great King-street, Dunedin, was refused, as also that of Mr. Jones, for a license totbeTamora House bar. The application of R.R, Baird, Golden Age Hotel, Glenore, Woolshed ; Edwin Legge, Glenore Hotel, Tokomairiroand George Coombe, Woolshed, for bush licenses,' could not be granted under the Provincial Licensing Act, as their premises being situated witlun the limits of the Gold Fields, the would consequently be required to be licensed under the Gold Eields' Act.

A meeting of tbe members of the proposed Port Chalmers Lodge of Freemasons, is fixed to take place at tlie Royal Hotel, Port Chalmers, at seven o'clock, on the evening of the llth inst!

The Dunedin Garrick Club have announced their next performance for Friday the 22nd inst. The committee have been most assiduous in making arrangements for this performance, which promises to be even better than the last given by the club, and we have no doubt that the committee will be able to hand a large sum over .to the Dunedin Benevolent Asylum, for the benefit of which institution the performance is to be given. A meeting was held at the Provincial Hotel yesterday evening, consisting chiefly ofthe residents in Stafford-street, Walker-street, and Hopestreet. About twenty gentlemen were present, Mr. Henry Cooke in the chair. . After a number of introductory remarks, it was proposed by Mr. Casper, and seconded by Mr. Martin, that a deputation call upon the Town Board on Monday next, to gain information respecting the contracts relative to these streets ; and, more especially, to ascertain whether the contractor was bound/under a penalty, to complete his contract by the time specified ; and, also, to express their disapproval of the kind of metal whieh is being laid on tho above-named thoroughfares. The deputation will consist of Messrs. Cooke, Rattray, Cooper. Norton. Hart, Price, M'Landress, Reynolds, and all otber interested parties who might think proper to attend. A second meeting is to be held at the same place on-Tuesday next.