NELSON BOARD OF WORKS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 179, 31 July 1871, Page 2

NELSON BOARD OF WORKS.

.. o The annual meeting of ratepayers took place at noon to-day, the attendance being unusually small, owing do doubt to the Supreme Court sitting at the time. The chair was taken by Mr. C. Elliott. The Secretary read the 14th annual Report and Balance-sheet which were adopted. The nomination of members then took place. The result of the show of hands is shown below by the figures set against the name of each candidate. •', Show Candidate. Proposer. Seconder. of A hands.

A poll was demanded by Mr. Stanton on bebalf of Mr. Fell, which will take place at the office of the Board, tomorrow afternoon, between the hours of twelve and four. Messrs. Lane and Smallbone were elected auditors. A discussion then arose on the question raised in the report of larger powers being granted to the Board. Mr, Webb believed such powers were necessary, but at the same time be thought that the Municipal Corporations Act was too cumbrous and complicated, and would necessitate the appointment of a lawyer as secretary, with, of course, a large salary. He objected to the basis of rating therein provided, and alvocated the fairness of special rates upon properties specially benefitted. He thought too that the style and dignity expected from a Mayor of a town would prevent many men who would make excellent chairmen of Boards from coming forward, as they would fear the expense. The money had far better be spent upon improvements than upon show and humbug of that kind. They certainly wanted extended powers but nothing so grand as waa provided for by the Municipal Corporation Act. Mr. Burn thought that, the .time had arrived when it had become the duty of the ratepayers to see that extended powers were ipon terred upon the! Board;, /With; regard to .special; rates he thought the . system at .j^Ment' pursued . '-jr*-.';*a Very' fair one, the interests on loani for special

purposes being paid by the whole town I which must derive indirect benefit from improvements carried out in certain localities, while tbe principal was met by a special rate upon the proparties directly benefitted. Mr. Elliott thought it would be better for the Board to decide upon what powers they really waD ted, and to have sent a skeleton Bill to the House with a request to the Nelson members to support it. On the motion of Mr. Percy it was resolved, That in the opinion of this meeting it is desirable that clauses 42 and 43 of the "Nelson Town Improvement Act, 1856," should be amended so as to enable the Board to have their accounts audited before the annual meeting for the election of members of the Board. A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings.