TOWN BOARD.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume IV, Issue 328, 30 October 1875, Page 3

TOWN BOARD.

A meeting of the above Board was held on Thursday morning at the office of the Secretary. Present: Messrs Norris (chairman), Firth WTigley, Conway, and Cook. The mi mites of the last meeting were read and confirmed and correspondence approved. Captain Tovey, who was in attendance in accordance with an invitation from the Board, explained the reason why certain roads enclosed by him had not been opened, and stated his intention to throw them open, asking however for an extended time to allow him to plant live fences. Permission was granted accordingly. Captain Tovey also referred to an enclosure he had made in Sixth Avenue to protect some valuable trees planted*-by him, which the Ba|rf allowed* to remain until notice fliould be given. The Chairman read a letter from the Rev Mr Burrows, Secretary to the Chin ch Missionary Society, agreeing to clear the neccessary half of such parts of the roads round block No. 25 as were covered with furze.

The Board was informed by Mr Norris that the engineer had failed to send in estimates of the cost of repairing the Cameron road between Messrs Wrigley and K oiler’s premises, and the drainage of Grey street, as requested. A letter was read from Captain Tovey, drawing the attention of the Board to the necessity of clearing the briars off the road in Fifth Avenue, as at present the growth there was so thick that it was impossible for a dray to pass through. The Chairman objected to the expense being incurred, as he saw no actual necessity for it, and there was no money to spare in the Board treasury. He considered that if one avenue was cleared the remainder should be so also.

Mr Firth Wrigley saw no reason for hesitating to do this small piece of work. The Board was not committed to any go eat expense, and there was a good revenue anticipated; a sum of about £2OO might be counted on as coming from the General Government on account of the £l allowance, and funds would also be derived from the rent of the wharf, and other fees. On the proposition of Mr Conway, seconded by Air Firth Wrigley, it was carried that the Third and Fifth Avenues should be cleared. Mr F irth Wrigley suggested that as

the time was approaching for letting the wharf, it should be put up for public tender when the present lease expired. Thefact of the wharf lamp not having been lighted on one or two "occasions lately, was brought to the notice of the Board by the Chairman, and the Secretary was requested to write to the lessee of the wharf on the subject. The application of Mr Boss, contractor for the new buildings of the Bank of New Zealand, to take some 700 yards of earth from Haringion street, in accordance with, plans laid out by the Engineer, was the next subject under discussion. The Chairman considered that if permission was granted to Mr Boss, he should pay the Engineer’s fee for laying off the work and supervising the same, and should also pay so much a yard for the earth removed. Mr Firth WVigiey opposed the idea of any payment being asked, as he considered the Board would receive an equivalent in the shape of the formation of the street. lie especially objected to the idea of the Engineer to the Board receiving remuneration from the contractor, he considered it lowering to the dignity of the Board. He accordingly proposed, That Mr Boss have permission to remove the necessary earth required by him (not less than 700 yards) and that the work be carried out under the supervision of the Engineer to the Board, who shall be paid by the Board for his services; the contractor to leave the road in a properly formed state.” Mr Conway seconded the proposition, the latter clause in it being inserted at his request, as he considered the road should be properly formed and no cuttings left. His impression being that if the work was properly completed the Board would receive better value than bv making a charge for the earth. The proposition was carried. Mr Norris protested that it -was a waste of public money to waive tire claim to any remuneration from the contractor. He believed Mr Boss was quite willing to pay what might bo asked; the Engineer’s fees at least should be asked for.