MUNICIPAL COUNCIL. Auckland, Saturday, April 10, 1852.

New Zealander, Volume 8, Issue 627, 17 April 1852, Page 3

MUNICIPAL COUNCIL. Auckland, Saturday, April 10, 1852.

Present : — His Worship the Mayor, in the Chair ; JAldermen Dignan, O'Neill, Mason, and Powditch ; Councillors Abraham, Davy, Haultain, Hay, and M'Donald. The Minutes of last evening having been read and confirmed, the Council again went into Committee of the whole Council on Roads and Works. Alderman Powditch moved that the Report of the Rural Roads Committee be first considered. An amendment proposed by Alderman O'Neill that the Town and Suburban Roads be first considered was not seconded ; another amendment, moved by Alderman Dignan and seconded by Councillor Davy, that the Toavii Roads be first considered, was negatived ; and the original motion was carried. The Mayor subsequently stated that he understood it to be a principle in the Committee that when the money was got the roads which the Surveyor might report in greatest need should be done first ; so that the Town and Suburban Roads, though not considered first now, yet might have precedence in practical attention. Alderman Powditch moved jthat £800 be voted for the Onehunga Road ? from the metal at Epsom to the metal on the beach of Onehunga. Councillor Hay seconded the motion. A discussion ensued in which some strictures were passed on the fact that in the secret Committee, the mover had represented £1,500, and the seconder 1,000, as necessary for this road. Alderman Powditch explained that since then he had obtained better information. The motion was carried. Councillor Abraham protested against the proceedings as reflecting on the Reports of the Committee. But to help forward business he would move that the, great South Road be next considered. He would leave to others to fix the sum, as he knew nothing about it, Alderman Powditch proposed £300 for this Road. Several Councillors then referred to the whole as " guess-work." At length Alderman Mason interposed by moving the following amendment :—: — "That it is the opinion of this Committee that a deputation be appointed to wait on his Excellency the Governor, for the purpose of pointing out the inadequate endowment of this Corporation ; with instructions to apply for such further power and endowments as this Council may deem desirable. That they bo first instructed to inform his Excellency, that the probable outlay necessary to complete and keep in good repair the several roads and public works required within this borough will exceed the sum of £18,000. That the means placed at the disposal of the Corporation being totally inadequate to undertake and complete these necessary works, they be further in&tructed to apply to his Excellency for the above sum divided into three annual instalments of £0,000 each, to enable the Corporation to complete and keep in repair the works previously alluded to. And that a sub-Committee be appointed to prepare such further instructions as may be nees^arv for the deputation."

Alderman Dignan second the motion. The Mayor observed that he had frequently heard it stated that the expenditure by Government was extravagant, and that the work might bo done for two thirds of the amount. He thought that they should not ask for £18,000 if £12,000 would be sufficient. After various remarks connected with this point, the motion as proposed by Alderman Mason was carried. A considerable time was occupied in appointing the Sub-Committee, in accordance with the amendment, some Councillors refusing to serve upon it. Ultimately it was arranged that it should consist of the following members : — The Mayor, Aid em en Dignan, Mason, and Powditch, and Councillor Newman. The Committee then adjourned, and the Council resumed. Councillor Hay gave notice of a motion for the next meeting, that a Memorial be presented to the Go vernor-in- Chief praying that the time for paying the purchase money for Crown Lands might be extended. The Council then adjourned.