NELSON BOARD OF WORKS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 249, 22 October 1870, Page 4

NELSON BOARD OF WORKS.

Friday October 21. Present: All the members, but Mr. Black. The Chairman informed the Board that a deputation had waited upon the Superintendent on financial matters, aud were informed that £350 had been placed to the credit of tbe Board. THE GAS QUESTION. Mr. Haddow asked for some information relative to the proceedings of Mr. Burn, who had in his capacity as member of the Beard made certain representations to the Superintendent with regard to supplying the town with gas. Ho mooted the question because he had been informed hy one of the members of the Executive that Mr. Burn had led them to suppose that he was representing the opinions of the Board, and consequently that they (the Executive) had been what was vulgarly termed sold." He (Mr. Haddow) had no doubt that the impression made upon the mind of the .Superintendent was that Mr. Burn was authorised by the Board to speak in the way he did, aud such conduct, he thought was highly censurable. The Chairman denied that Mr. Burn had presented himself as a member of the deputation, aud further expressed his opinion that members had a perfect right to speak to the Superintendent ou any question whatever. Mr. Burn said that he had waited upon the Superintendent after the deputation, and had informed him of the object of his mission. He had no idea whatever of infringing on the dignity of the Board. Mr. Webb, in order to test the opinion of the Board, would move " That this Board approves of the course adopted by Mr. Burn in bringing the subject of gas supply unofficially before his Honor the Superintendent." Mr. Haddow moved as an amendment " That this Board disapproves of the conduct of Mr. Bum in going on the gas question along with the deputation appointed last meeting of the Board." Mr. Dodson said that had he been consulted he should have objected to Mr. Burn going to the Superintendent, as a private company was in the course of formation. Mr. Burn : Then I should not have gone. [Some discussion then ensued as to whether the meeting called by the promoters of lhe Gas Company was a public meeting or not. There being a difference of opinion on this matter, Mr. Haddow proposed to refer it to our reporter for his decision. The Chairman, however, ruled that such a proceeding would be informal.] Mr. Haddow thought this was a question that affected their constitutional privileges. No member had a right to go and use his influence as a member of the Board on any question without the sanction of the Board. Mr. Burn's visit to the Superintendent looked like a trick in the eyes of the public, and such an abuse should be carefully guarded against. Mr. Dodson felt certain that the Superintendent was under the impression that Mr. Burn was acting under the authority of the Board. He should second the amendment. Mr. Burn said that so long as he had been a member he had never attempted to usurp the rights of the Board. On the occasion in question he had acted as an individual, and not as a collective body, and he considered he had a perfect right to do so. It was a public and not a personal matter, and he was still of opinion that if the Government had taken the matter up it would have been better for the ratepayers. The amendment was then put with the following result : — Ayes, Messrs. Haddow and Dodson ; Noes, Messrs. Burn and Webb, Mr. D. Burns considered the wording of the amendment was too strong and therefore declined to vote. The Chairman gave his casting vote with the Noes. The original resolution was then put and carried, the votes being reversed, the chairman giving his vote with the Ayes. Mr. Webb then moved "That this Board thanks his Honor the Superintendent for. inviting au expression of -opinion on the subject: of gas supply; for the city, but regrets that a longer time was not allowed for consideration before public discussion on the question." He

had no idea of passing any strictures upon the Superintendent for calling the meeting hurriedly, but simply wished to state that he thought it would have been better had the meeting been deferred. Mr. Haddow thought the Superintendent had done no more than his duty, and therefore was not deserving of thanks. The resolution was then carried, the voting being the same as ou the first resolution. ASSESSMENT. The warrant of assessment of blocks C, D, E, F, and G- were then signed.

LETTERS.

A letter was received from the Rev. R. J. Thorpe relative to improving the road from Washington Valley to Gloucesterstreet. An application was received from Mr. Gouland for the grubbing up of gorse in Ngatiawa and Kawai Streets. A letter was also rea I from Mr. Bush relative to Russell-street. All three were referred to the Public Works Committee. A circular was received from the Provincial Secretary stating that in accordance with the Payment of Provinces Act, the sum of £4800 was now available for division among the Road Boards of the Province, and requesting tbat he might be furnished with a statement of receipts and expenditure of the Board, together with the source from which the receipts were derived, and the service on which the expenditure was incurred. The consideration of the letter was deferred until the uext meeting. A petition signed by 35 ratepayers was presented, praying the Board to call a meeting of the ratepayers to discuss the gas question. Agreed, that a meeting be called for Monday evening, the 31st inst. The Board then adjourned until Friday, 4th November.