TOWN BOARD,

Otago Daily Times, Issue 286, 19 November 1862, Page 5

TOWN BOARD,

The weekly meeting of the Town Board was held yesterday. Present : Messrs Hardy, Cargill, Switzer, and Dr. Hukne ; Mr Hardy in the chair. J

Mr Cargill called attention to the prosecution ot the Gas Company, that morning, in the" Magistrate's Court, for removing material from the streets He moved that the Company should have full power to remove the surplus material. Mr Switzer seconded the motion, which was agreed to.

Mr Uaroill asked if anything had been done as to the reserve for the Cattle Market ? Mr Reid said they had received no answer to the last letter on the subject. Mr Cargill thought it appeared that Government were disposeel to take the Recreation Ground Horn the citizens, whose rights would be invaded In a matter of such importance it was their duty to look after it, and he proposed that a deputation wait on his Honor the Superintendent, in order to ascertain the views of Government on the subject. Mr Switzer seconded the motion, ahd those present appointed themselves the deputation. Letters were read from John Riordan and G. Greenfield, requesting permission to cut drains in Maclaggan street and Walker street.

The writers were referred to the Ordinance on the subject.

LIGHTING THE STREETS. The following communication from the Gas Company was read :— '

" Dunedin Gas Light and " Coke Com nan v, (Limited.) " Princes-street, Nov. 14, 1862. " Sir,—ln reply to yours of the 13th, I beg to submit the following tender ibr the consideration of your Board :—

" 1. The Dunedin Gas Light and Coke Company (Limited) will be prepared to supply" 150 street Jumps, or any greater number, including lighting, (excepting on tbe nights of full moon, the night before and the night after full moon, and the night next but one before, and the night next but one after full moon,) extinguishing and keeping in repair (reasonable wear and tear excepted), on the following terms, viz.:—. Under coutract for three years, per _ i amP ••• ... ... £22 10 0 For five years, per lamp ... ... 20 0 0 For seven years, per lamp .. .. 17 io 0 " 2. The Company will undertake to lay mains (after receipt ot reasonable notice so to do) in any direction within the Town belt, in a continuous direction from their present lines ot wains, upon the Town Board intimating that they are' prepared to erect lamps on the said roads at a distance not exceeding 3 chains apart. " 3. Also, to provide labor anel material for conducting the gas from the mains to the burners of the lamp, with lamp cocks and burners, for the additional sum of L 2 10 per lamp, t; c lamp posts and lanterns being provided by the Town Hoard. " Iv carrying out tlieir arrangements tor the purchase of suitable posts and materials, the Com pany's engineer will afford the Town Hoard the test assistance in his power. "Requesting the early consideration of this offer, " I remain, Sir, " Yours obediently, "AIARTIN Shoix. " Charles Reid, Esq., ecittaty. "Clerk to Town Board." On the motion of Dr Hulme, seconded by Mr Switzer, it was agreed " That the Gas Company s offer to supply with gas 150 public lamps, or a greater number, ior a period of seven years, at Ll7 10s per lamp per annum, including lighting, extinguishing, and keeping in repair such lamps on the conditions of ibeir tender, be accepted; and that the Gas Company be requested to furnish a dralt contract forthwith for approval of this Board at next meeting." It was afterwards resolved on the motion of Mr Switzer, seconded by Dr Hulme. " That tenders be invited to supply arid erect lamp posts, lanterns, anel lantern irons in such positions as the Town Board may direct; and that specifications be prepared providing both for wood and iifon posts."

A lung discussion took place on the public rate, which ought to be charged for lighting the the streets. It ended in those present drawing a line on a map of th? Town ; and the following resolutions being agreed to on the motion of Dr Hulme, seconded by Mr Cargill :—» That all property within the Town belt,situate within the the blue line marked on the map ; and outside of that line ail property within a distance of fifty yards from the Gas Company's mains be considered as deriving the immediate advantages of public lighting, and be included in the general assessment made for lighting the town."

HEALTH OF THB TOWN. A letter was read from Frederick Richardson, M.R.C.V.S.. complaining of open drains at Water of Leith, wliich were exhaling disease and death.

Some conversation took place, but nothing was done. "

HIGH STREET CUTTING. The following letter was read from John Barnes, contractor lor the High-street cutting :— « rr, „ m _ "13th November, 1862. * v To the Town Board of Dunedin. " Gentlemen,—.l am sorry to inform you I have bad the wrong levels give-n me from the commencement of High street cutting. My orders were to begin at Mr Martin's store door, and fill it up five feet, and to fbtm the road one foot in nine feet five and a half inches of an incline, and, according to that, I am not deep enough yet by two feet.

" Ihe depth of the cutting does not at all correspond with the measurement of my contract, as Mr Herd and I calculated the excavation was about 7,500 yards, but now 1 find 'there will be about Horn 11,000 to 12,000 yards to be removed. v. mch makes a ci nsieh ruble difference in my contract. I hope, therefore, you will take the matter intoconsideration, he I have had three different levels given me since the alteration took place, and I shall not consider it my duty to proceed until further orders and proper explanation, neitiier do I consider there is any blame attached to me, as I have repeatedly cautioned, and said there must be some mistake.,

" Your obedient servant, " (Signed), T . " John Barnes." n\ A &a agreed t0 request Mr Barnes to furnish ( i; A ge ne-ral account for all work done up to the present time ; (2) To proceed with his con tract, and (3) To give a tender for lifting and relaying metal, and forming the roadway to its permanent level.

FISH MARKET. A letter was read from the Provincial Secretary stating that agreeably to the wish of the #oard, instructions had been given to marli off a site mar the Rattray-street Jetty for a Pish" Market.

AUDIT OP ACCOUNTS. Messrs. Shand aud Hardy were authorised to get assistance in auditing the accounts, and the ■Board adjourned till Monday.

A telescopic comet was discovered at the Observatory of Harvard College, by Mr H. P. Tuttle, on the evening of the 18th, at a little past ten o'clock. Ihe motion is towards the north. The following was its approximate position at 12h. Bm.:—iiight ascengjW, 6h. Jjm.', declination north, 67 degs. 40m. ST♦S ,mrt discover- d on the 3d inst. is still visible by