TOWN BOARD.

Otago Witness, Issue 657, 2 July 1864, Page 4

TOWN BOARD.

The usual weekly meeting of the Town Board was held on Tuesday ; Mr Bastings in the chair. There were present— Me«srs Barnes, Grey. Turner, Lowe, Ham, Redraayne, Howard, M'Leod, Miller, Murray and Griffen.

THE GOVERNMENT AND THB BOARD.

The Clerk stated that he bad conveyed to the Government tbe resolutions passed at last meeting of the Board, and in reply he read the following letter from the Secretary of Public Works :—

" Public Works Office,

" Dunedin, 24th Jnne, 1864.

" Sib— l have the honor to acknowledge the receipt ot your letter yesterday, and to inform you, in rep'y, that the terms upon which the Provincial Council voted L4ooo'for the main line of road through Dunedin, are expressly stated in the resolutions of the House of the 13th June inst., and cons*quently that the money can only be applied to that purpose in accordance with the terms of that t* solution. Upon this point I beg toinform you that the deputation of the Board which waited upon the {?uperintfin'lent, and the ProvincialtJovernment on the 20th inst , were distinctly informed that the Government were bound by that resolution, and that tbe terms upon which suy further advance c uld be made tn the Board, out of the Loan of 135,000, were substantially those named In my letter to you of the 82nd inst.

"It is unnecessary to add that the Government are not at liberty to depart in any way from these terms.

" I have the honor to be, Sir, " Your obedient servant. " H. J. Mixler. " Secretary of Public Works."

Mr Turner said there was no allusion in tbi* letter to the Board being allowed to carry out the works under the L 35,000 loan as originally agreed to. This letter had reference to the filling in of the Market Reserve, and nothing mote. The Chaikmah sa<'d the Government dNtinctly stated to the deputation that if they filled up the Market Reserve the Board would stand in the same position in which it stood before the disagreement commenced.

Mr TußNia : That is not mentioned in the letter.

The Board went into Committee to discuss the letter.

Mr Bbdmatkb thought it was due to the Board that the Government should inform them if they would sanction the contracts whi<*h had already been entered upon, on the Board's consenting to fill up the Market Reserve. He felt that the Board was not in a position to commence the work of filling up the Reserve until they received from the Government a gmrantee that they would sanction the other contracts. At the present moment he could not see his way clear, for their position . wag to expend the money on the Market Reserve, and trust to the honor of the Government to carry out their portion of the agreement.

Mr M'Lbod thought the Secretary of Public Works should be again written to, asking for an explanation of bis letter, for it contained no promise to sanction the works now under contract from the Board. The refusal of the Board to give up to the Government the main line of road through the city, was at the bottom of it all. If they gave up the main line of road to the Government, he mew very well what would soon be declared the main line, for there were private interests to be considered in this matter. Mr D. Mills* thought it would be the best thing the Board could do to hand over the main line to the Government.

Air Gret, as one of the deputation who had waited on the Government, wished to explain that when the matter was fully laid before the Government they distinctly stated that upon the Board expending the amount of the original contract upon the Market Reserve, they would he placed in the same position as they previously occupied. For some reason or other the Board had come to the resolution not to give up the main line of road to the Government, and a difference had thereby arisen between the Government and the Board. Every member ot (he Board must be aware tliat money was urgently required to carry on the works now in hand, and that tbe streets were in a disgraceful state. He had hoped that the Board would have taken a more lenient view of the matter, and acceded to the Government's request, so that the public works might have been carried tn at once.

Mr ToTWfBB waß ture every member of the Board was anxious to see the public works carried out The cause of ''clay did not rest with the Board, but with the Government. The Board had met and decided upon the course they intended to take: but they could get no definite answer from the Government, Letter after letter | •une from them of the vaguest description. He could not see why any portion of the main line through the city should be given up to the Government: the Board might as welt give up the whole of their functions at one*. Mr Hah said the letter of the Secretary of Public Works was of the most vague and indistinct character that he could imagine. The position now remained for the Board to say that they would fill up the Market, Reserve if the Covernment would sanction the other works voder contract within the City. He thoueht the Board had experienced au amount of snubbing at the hands of the Government, that he was inclined to «ay to them. " Take the Town Board to yourselves, and see if you can conduct its business better ;" but v that could not be done at the ■resent moment, he would consent to fill up the Market Reserve, and allow the Government to take the main line through the city, if they would only say that they would sanction the «ther contracts.

Mr. Howass : Can't we raire money ourselves without the Government! Can't we issue datortures.

The Clerk: We mayjiajue thms, but I wont my that we will sell them. ( A laugh.) Mr Bedmayne said the Board had power, under the Town Hoard Ordinance, to borrow to the amount of 110,000, but they had already borrowed that sum and spent it. Mr Barnes thought the Board should have aothlnpr further to do with the Government, but should make an effort to raise the money due to the contractors and take the whole of the works on their own shoulders.

The Clerk said the Board had no funds at present to do so.

Mr Bedmayne said that all the Board wanted wa» an answer whether the Government would sanction the works now under contract, if they spent the balance of the LIO,OOO on the Market Beaerve. fie

would therefore move—" That the Clerk be instructed to write to the Government, asking them if they will sanction the contracts already entered into un-'er the L 35.000 loan, provided the Board will lay out the balance of the LIO.OOO on the Market fieserve."

Mr Howard second? d the motion.

Mr M'Leod moved as an amendment — " That the Clerk write to the Government, asking a distinct answer to the Boari's letter of tbe 24th inst " Mr Barhes seconded the amendment. The amendment was put to the meeting, and lost.

Mr TtxtivEß then moved another amend-ment-"That the Town Clerk write to the Government, asking them if they will say distinctly whether they will consent to the works in oonnec ion with the loan being carried out simultaneously with the works in Princes street south."

Mr Mttrrat seconded this amendment, which was at once put and declared carried. ° Toe Board resumed.

The motion passed in committee was reported to the Board, nnd its adoption moved. Mr Redmatne moved as an amendment the motion which, he had proposed In Committee.

The amendment was put and negatived, and the motion passed in committee was adopted.

CORBESyoNDBNOK.

A letter was reai from three resiflents in Hanover -street, caliing the attentioa of the Board to the condition of the footpath on the north side of that street, which had been damaged by the recent rains and was almost impassable. The letter was referred to the Public Works' Committee.

A letter was read from Messrs M'Leod and Gibson, asking permission to wheel clay over the footpath in Princes-street. Permission was granted.

Messrs Simpson snd Wright wrote, asking: oermisston " to cross the footpath iv Union, street.

The Clerk was instructed to write to the parties and ask for an explanation.

The Provincial Secretary wrote acknowledge receipt of anew bye-law passed by the Board, and stating that he could not sanction it until it had been laid before the Provincial Council.

David Miller, sen., wrote refusing to pay certain rates for land, as he had only taken posseMon of it in October last, and he had received no notice to appeal. It was re«olved thet the Ordinance be carried out in this instance.

A letter was read from Mr H. W. Meyer com plaining of rates on property in Pall Mall, and asking an opportunity to appeal. It was agreed that the Board could uot entertain the application.

Dr Robert Burns wrote complaining fhat he bad been waiting since October last for the levels of the Octagon from the City Engineer, and he was now told that he must pave up to the circular line drawn round the Octagon by the Engine' r. It was resolved that tbe instructions of the City Engineer he adhered to.

A letter from Mr M ilfred Wilson drawing the attention of the Board to the state of George street, and two letters from Mr H. F. Hardy with regard to the state of Graham and Wiiium streets, were referred to the Public Works Committee.

A letter from Mr Hennelly, with regard to the manner in which he received payments for the scavenging contract, was referred to the Sauitary Committee

Mr Miller, Secretary of Public Works, wrote asking when the Town Board proposed to fo'm the foot-path from the Bell Tower to the entrance gate of the High School, as it wa9 almost impossible for the scholars to reach tie school.

Mr Turner proposed -" That the Town Board ar« anxiou9 to see the work completed without delay, and as soon as the Govennent agree to that contract it will be completed " Mr M'Leod seconded the motion, which was carried. >

TENDERS.

The tenders for gravelling the Octagon,' George street, and Fr derick street, were opened as fol lows :— Crawskaw and Mitchell, L2I8: Mark Walkem, T. 240 18s Bd. ; William Palmer, L 249 18a 8d ; James Keynolds, L 303 12s. Mr Lows move) that the tender of Messrs Crawshaw and Mitchell be accepted. Mr Baenes seconded the motion.

Mr Howard moved as an amendment, that no tender be accepted, as he had reason to believe that the property owners in George street were quite ready to lay down flagging rather than tbe temporary arrangement. Mr Griffeh seconded the amendment. The amendment was put and lost, and tbe motion carried.

The tenders were opened for flagging Princes street at its junction with Bowling street. There were only three, namely— George Cornwall, L7O 15s 3d. ; Crawstaw and Mitchell, L 74 6s: Lonnia snd Co.. LW. 3s.

The tender of Mr Cornwall wai accepted.

Only one tender had been sent in for the erf oticn of six pumps, or pumps as stand-pipes, throughout the city, namely— that of Mvrk Wai' kern. for Ll4& This tender was accepted. KOTIOHS.

Mr Barkis moved—" That in future tenders be called for all works exceeding: L 5." Mr Howard seconded the motion-

Mr Kbdhayhb moved as an amendment— " That the Public Works Committee be empowered to deal with all tenders for the temporary repair of streets, the cost of which does not exceed L 5."

The motion and amendment were put, and were botb negatived.

Motions standing in the names of Mr Grey and Mr Barnei were postponed to next meeting of the Board.

Mr Babhis moved—" That the whole of the City Engineer's staff receive a fortnight's notice to leave ; that eight laboring men be employed by the Board, two to be placed in each Ward ■ that the Clerk be instructed to advertise for a horse and cart ; and that all the officers of the Board be in future paid by the Town Clerk."

Mr Gret seconded the motion.

After a Bhort desultory discussion, the motion was postponed, pending the report of the Finance Committee. ■

Mr GrBiFrHN moved—" That a sum of money, not to exceed L7O, be expended in metalling the foot-paths in Dowling -street." This was agreed to.

Mr. Howard moved—" That the Inspector of Nuisances be instructed to furnish to the Board a weekly report of the manner in which tbe sea* renging contractor does his work.",,

This motion was at once carried

Mr. Basxin«s moved— "That the Town Clerk be inst- uci.etl to prepares by-law, compelling all owners of water carts, or licensed carters to keep th-ir carts loaded with water every night, in order to be in readiness in case of fire."

Mr Gret seconded the motion, which was adopted.

MORAY PIiACB.

Mr Gbky said he had received a letter from the Rev. Richard Connehee, requesting: him to draw the attention of the Board to thi imp liable state of the load in Moray-place, leading to the now Congregational Churoh, Tlie Church was to be opened ou Sunday next, and at present tbere was no footpath to it. He honed something; would be do'ie in order to ennble the congregation to pet to church.

Mr M' cod said the contract was in hand, and the contractor had been compelled to bring hu operations to a standstill for want of money, owing to the conduct of the Government. He hoped the public woul t under>tjind that the fault lay not with the Board, but with the Government.

Mr Grbt thought that if the contractor was requested by the Board to form the footpath leading to the Church, and finish that portion of the work, he wouli do so. He had snoken to the contractor, Mr Walkem, on the subject, and that gentleman was ready to form the footpath if the levels were given to him by the City Kneineer, and f hat portion of the work taken off bis nan • when completed. The Fkqineer expressed his willingness to give the levels next morning, and to render every assistance in his power. The matter then dropped, as the Board had no power to take action in the matter, seeing that the road was under contract.

enqtnbkr's report.

The Clsrk read the following Report from the City Engineer :

** City Engineer's department, •• 28tb June. 1864.

" To the Town Board.

"Gentlemen— In compliance with your minute of the 2 st instant, re lative to the best mode of remedying the overflow of storm water on to Mr Wardrop's premises. 1 have the honor to report that I have, in company with Mr Langlands, inspected the place named, and that he and I are both of opinion, that the nest mode of freeing not only Mr Wardroo'a premies, but also Mr Langlands, of the evil complained of, woald be to continue the present old culvert down Clarke >treet to Mh"iag^an street, thence into Maclasryan street creek, situate upon the east side of that ftreet.

" Mr Langlands stat"d his willingness to contribute any just proportion of the expenditure to which he would be liable, if it were taken thr uch his property in the bed of theold cree'.f , and throughJCapt-rin Williams' culv rt

" I have to report that the JLSO expenditure, sanctioned, a* a temporary level for Market street, is proceeding most satisfactorily to the several householders whose properties abut on Market street

" In accepting fenders this day for gravelling I have to remirk,thit there's tin amDi'iruity io the minute of the Board in reference to this matter, 1 have therefore ordered the Oitagon to be a distinct and separate item, from the work necessary to be done in George and Pre crick streets ; I hay» tbereloie ti ask definitely if the Octagon is or is noi, to be gravelled. ** I have to recommend that if the Dowling 1 street footpaths are to be gravelled with Water of Leith gravel in accomanoe with a motion of the member for South WhH (Mr Griffon), that tbe same be added to the tenders to be accepted this day for George street. This foofcnath lea-Is to two phces of worship, the High School,- and three other schools in the same street.

The approach to the Hospital, on the N.W side of Octaaron, should also be done.

" I have the honor to lay on the table my drawing for sinking and building wells, and the fitting up and erection of pumps, as also their conversion into " stand pipes " I have done all that can be. done in this regard, but cannot assure the Board that they will, as " stand pipes" give satisfaction, unless considerable expense b gone to for their alteration, which I do not consider either prudent or advisable

You have also before you tenders for flagging in Princes street. " I have the honor to be, " Gentlemen, " Your most obedient, " Jho, Millar. F.S.A., "City Engineer." The report was adopted without discussion. The Board then adjourned for a week.

The Dailt News and thb Conference.—According to a writer in the "Daily News," the Powers who will meet at the Conference consist of three distinct parties. Russia and France are for consulting the inhabitants of the Duchies. Austria stands apart, and recemmends the "personal union ;" while England an Prussia are for maintaining the treaty of 1852. In the meanwhile there is a difference between Austria and Prussia, " a difference which will soon manifest itself, not only in diplomacy, but in military operations. The Danes cannot fail very soon to perceive it, and it will embolden them not only to more determined resistence, but perhaps even prompt them to offensive movements, finding they have but one antagonist to contend with. Should this be the case, farewell to all hopes of either a settlement or of an armistise. Should the Austrians withdraw or remain inactive in t-lesvig, then- place will be supplied by the • troops of the Bund, and there may arrive a Ions; and internecine war, with further opportunities for any ambitious Court or Power to interfere."

The Confederate Capital.— Richmond, the Confederate capital, had a population of 88,000 according to the last census. The capital contains Hondon's celebrated status of Washington. Jefferson Davis's residence is a private mansion. The city has six banks, thirteen newspapers, and twenty-three churches. Mr Davis worships at a Presbyterian church. Richmond has four cotton and fifty tobacco factories, flour and rolling mills, forces, furnaces, machine shops, and the latter have been of immense service to the rebellion in turning out ordnance arid other war material . Before th» rebellion the exports of Richmond reached 7,000,000 dollars annually, and its imports 750,000 dollars. Richmond was founded in 1743, and made the capital of Virginia in 1779. It is the centre of five great railroad communications, viz., to Fredericksburg, York River, Norfolk, Danville, Va., and Jackson s River.—" Daily News."