TOWN BOARD.

Otago Witness, Issue 402, 13 August 1859, Page 3

TOWN BOARD.

A meeting of this Board was held on Monday. ! Present— Messrs. Dick, Lambert, Smith, Dyer, Jenkinson, and Carnegie ; Dr. Purdie in the chair. The following reply to a request from the i Board to be furnished with estimates as to the cost of supplying Dunedin with water, was read : — " Superintendent's Office, "Dunedin, 19lh July, 1559. " Gentlemen, — In your letter of 7th instant on the subject of the Repoit on the Watsi Supply of Dunedin, in which it is requeued that more mi*nute Estimates of the probable expense of carrying the plan recommended into opeiation may be furnished, I have the honour to state, in replj, that such estimates must necessaiily be a work of so much time arid labour as to be incompatible with the many other and urgent duties of the Civil Engineer of ihe Piovince. " In such cases it is stated to be customary that the party employed in p-epaung the detailed plans and estimates should ajso have the oppoitumty of carrying the same in'o effect, and in these ciicumstances, I have to in fot m you that the Piovineiai Engineer will be ready to advise with and assist any gentleman whom you may appoint in this matter, but only as consulting engineer. "The question of water supply is one of considerable magnitude, and it will lie ior your Bouid to consider whether any plan that may be adopted should be cairied out by jour Municipalin, or by a company 10 be foimcd for the; purpose. ' And it may be just observed that insomuch as the value of money is, higher than at home, the rates per household and other supply of the water will have to be higher in propoition ; but these are matteis for the consideration of your Boaul on having got the full and accurate estimates befoie jou, and which I should be happy to find you had taKen the necessary steps to obtain.

•' I have the honour to he, &c.,

" W. C'v.ugill, Superintendent. "The Dunedin Town Boaui."

On the motion of Mr. Dick, seconded by Mr. Jenkinson, it was moved —

"That his Honor's leply to our application for estimates regarding the cost of laying on water to the town, is of such a character as to preclude the possibility of the Boaid talcing any action in the matter at present — the Board having p.o one in its employment engaged to estimate or undertake such woiks."

An application to the Board from Mr. D. Forsyth was read, requesting to be put in possession of the 28^ feet between Loper' s and M'Leod and Gibson's stores, leased by him, as Mr. Loper had disputed the boundary line. The clerk stated that Mr. Kettle had surveyed the sections from a point where it was known to be correct, and that a portion of Mr. Loper's shop, some 20 inches, was found to be built upon the municipal allotment leased to Mr. D. Forsyth.

While this matter was under discussion, it was stated that Mr. Loper had been receiving £7 10s. a year for a right of way past his shop to the Bank, which rent in right belonged to the Board, as the road was upon the municipal property.

On the motion of Mr. Dick, it was resolved —

" That the clerk be authorised to do all that is needful to put Mr. Foisyth in immediate possession of the 28} feet leased to him on the 23id of Maj, by legal notice or any and eveiy means required.'"

The following communication from his Honor the Superintendent was read :—: — " Superintendent's Office,

" Dunedin, 30, h July, 1859.

" Gentlemen, — It boing piopostd that the inhabitants of Inveicaigill and Port Chalmers should have similar privileges conveyed to them with tho^e held by the Town Board of Dunedin, and it being at the &atne time considered that in all such cases the title 'Town Council' should be substituted for Town Boaid, I have the honour to lequed your observations — " Ist. Aito whether the title of 'Town Council' of Dunedin would bo agreeable to you ? " 2nd. As to uhcthei the poweis held by you under the present Ordinance might be .susceptible of any, and what, improvement?

I have the honour to be, &c, W. Cakgill, Superintendent. To the Town Board oi' Dunedin.

Mr. C\RNTGir; complained of the dangerous nature of the steps in front of Mr. Proudfoot's house in Princes .Street, and moved a resolution, seconded by Mr. Smith, to the effect that Proudfoot be requested to fill up the top steps, and put up the fence which he took down.

As the Board considered that they had nothing to do with the main line of street, it was moved as an amendment by Mr. Dick, and agreed to— "That the attention of the Government be called to the destruction of the road by Mr. Proud foot."

Mr. Lamhlrt moved —

" That a committee be appointed to consider his Ilonoi'b letter aneiit the ipconstitution of the Town Hoaid, and to repoit at next meeting. Such committee to consist of Mebbis G. Smith, D\er, DicK, and the mover. Three to be a quoiain."

It was moved that the assessment for the ensuing year be Is. in the pound ; upon which an amendment was put that it be Is. Gd., Avhich was lost by the chairman's casting vote; and the assessment was accordingly iked at Is. Applications were read from various parties for several town and suburban sections which were ordered to be advertised.

Mr. Macandrcw's application for a lease of that section upon which his store is erected, gave rise to considerable discussion, ft was proposed that the yearly rental he 12s. a foot frontage to Clause-street. Another proposition was for <£30 or £40 a year, a3 Mr. Macandrew had improved that property. Air. Carnegie and Mr. Dyer were in favour of 20s. a foot, and could not see why Mr. Jones should pay 20s. a foot, and Mr. Macandrew 12s. for a better position. In opposition it was argued that the charge for cartage during the year between the two positions would make a gre-it difference, and was to be taken into consideration. Messrs. Dyer and Carnegie, after discussion, would agree to 12*. a foot or =£40 a yoar, provided the .-ection was puf up to auction, and moved an aniendim-nt accordini.lv. Mr. Dyer said he would gi\e -£] JO a -year* for the section, and allow Mr. Macandrew to remove his buildings. The resolution and amendment ha\ing been put to the vote, the former was carried— that the yearly rental bo 12s. a foot. The Board then adjourned.