DUNEDIN TOWN BOARD.

Otago Witness, Issue 537, 15 March 1862, Page 5

DUNEDIN TOWN BOARD.

A meeting of this Board was held on Monday. Present, Messrs. Hardy (in the chair), Shand, Cargiil, Mollison, Switzer, and Dr. Iluline.

The clerk read, first, a letter addressed to the Board by the Provincial Secretary, on the subject of lowering and levelling Moray-place. The letter stated that the result of the proposed cutting- would be not only to secure the construction of a more substantial jetty at the foot of Stuartstreet, but to effect a, great impovement on that part of the town, and that as all such improvements must emanate from, and be solely carried out by the Board, the Government did not feel itself justified in agreeing to satisfy any claims for compensation which might be made by parties whose interests might be thereby affected. The letter further stated thnt it appeared from the report of the Superintendent of Public Buildings on the subject, that there is scarcely a building which would be injuriously affected by the work, while the frontage of the Church proposed in Moray-place would be considerably improved, and concluded by expressing the hope that the Board would unconditionally agree to the proposal, viz: to approve of the works, and bear claims for compensation.

Dr. Ilnlme saw very serious objections to agreeing to a proposition according to wliicli the Board would be placed in a most, equivocal position. The work proposed was an undoubted improvement, but to undertake to coincide with a Government plan of the kind, end to be the sole parties liable for any compensation claimed, was to undertake a great deal more than could reasonably be expected of any body, or the Board could be at all justified in doing. Mr. Oargill and other members were of the same opinion. It was impossible for the Board to anticipate the demands that might be made by holders of property contiguous "to the proposed cutting, and while the Government were having all the merit, the Board, by such an arrangement, would have all the risk — a risk undefinable and probably serious.

The Chairman said that for his part he would have waived any claim for compensation, on his own parr, in connection with property* held by him in the situation referred to, but it was im--possible to guarantee that every person would do the same, and he generally agreed with the members of the Board, that the proposition was one to which there wepe strong objections. It wns resolved accordingly, " That the Board is aware of the improvements to bo. effected in such cutting, but must adhere to its former resolution. At the same time it will be happy to aid the Government in the matter of treating with the parties concerned as to the amount of compensation to be paid, if any."

On the motion of Mr. Shand, it was agreed thnt the sum of £300 be allowed towards the formation of that portion of Alhanv-strect extending fiom King-street to the new Jetty, in Pelif-het Bay. A letter from Messrs. Paton and Hodge, on behalf of Mr. Crawford, intimated Mr. Crawford's agreement with certain improvements proposed in front of" the Glasgow Arms, hut tlie Board considered the terms unreasonable, and declined to entertain the demand.

A petition for the improvement of Cumberlandstroet, between Union.street and Albany-street, was made by Mr. Rcdmayne, on behalf of the inhabitants in the locality, and as the parties were willing to pay a third of the amount, £40, the request was granted.

Several applications for the appointment of Town Surveyor aud Engineer, with accompanying testimonials were read by the Chairman, and taken into consideration by the meeting. Mr. Cargill said several of the applicants had apparently made application under the impression that a snlavy was attached to the office.

The Clerk explained that the impression was an erroneous one. The intention was, to select a person whom the Board might consider most suitable, and to appoint him to receive the fees of property holders requiring the services of a Surveyor, while the Board should, at the same timo, afford him such employment as arose in connection with the Board's own works.

Of the several candidates, the majority of whom were non-resident in the town or province, the Board gave the preference to Mr. PoeppeJ, who had Mr. Langland's recommendation, and Jiad the advantage of being known to tfie Board. His appointment was accordingly agreed to, and tho Clerk instructed to take ways and means to draw out a scale of charges by which, in work done for those requiring his services, the Surveyor should be guided and obliged to abide.

A motion by Mr. Switzcr, of which notice had been given, to the effect that a previous resolution of the Board allowing £200 for the levelling of Manse and High-street should be rescinded, was put and agreed to. Mr. Switzer explained, that the improvement purposed, while it affected beneficially one or two, was considerably otherwise to the majority In tho street, and no assistance from any of the parties had been received or offered. Tho alteration was, moreover, only the filling of ono hole and the making of another, and it was expedient rather to delay it until it could be done effectually, though at a greater cost.

Several tenders for the metalling of different streets were read and considered. Those accepted were Mr. M'Kenzie's for Rattray-sfercct culvert at 16s. per yard ; Mr. ProudfooVs, for George-street, extension, at Bs. sd. per cubic yard, and Mr. Proudfoot's, for Princes-street, at Bs. 2d. per cubic yard.

The business was conclndcd by an order to the Clerk to estimate the cost of removing a bank in front of Messrs. Ait ken's & Barney*s premises, and to have tho work executed on a third being paid ; to take measures for the opening a well in Princes-street ; and to draw attention "to tlie nuisance and destruction of roadway in front of the Cafe iv Princes-street.