CITY BOARD.

New Zealander, Volume XVIII, Issue 1726, 24 September 1862, Page 4

CITY BOARD.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22nd.

Present:—Messrs. Beveridge, Darby, Cadman, Finlay and Macready. Mr. Finlay having been moved into the chair, the minutes of the preceding meeting were read and confirmed.

Mr. Cadman, in moving "that the Board take into consideration the Gas Company's letter," thought that the desirability of Lighting the City with Gas was apparent in every point of view, and should rejoice to see the City so lighted, for amongst some of the many great objects to be gained by the introduction of Gas, would be the saving of a considerable item in the police expenditure, since he believed that three gas lamps in the public streets were equal to one policeman, but in the present state of the finances of the Board, he did not see how they could now hold out any prospect of lighting the City with gas. It was impossible to tell the amount which might be realized from our rates, nor what amount of assistance would be afforded by the Provincial Council, and the Gas Company themselves gave no data as to the cost of the gas, the posts, or the laying down the pipes for the service. Looking, therefore, at the circumstances of this question altogether, lie moved the following resolution, which was seconded by Mr. Beveridge, " That the Secretary be instructed to inform the Gas Company that for the present the Board was not prepared to enter into any arrangement for lighting the City with gas."

Mr. Fjnlay thought that the Board was not in a position to mako preparations for lighting the city. The Gas Company's affairs were carried on in a hole and corner manner. No reporter ever was allowed to attend their meetings—the men stated to be directors were not directors at all.

Mr. Beveridgk thought the Board was not quite prepared to receive the question, neither were the directors of the Gas Company in a position to afford that information without which no arrangement could be entertained. The only question which he thought could be entered on was the advisability of getting the necessary lamp-posts from home. Mr. Macueauy wasof opinion that the matter should be deferred until the Board and Gas Company were in a better position to enter upon the arrangement. In relation to Mr. Finlay's motion "That the Board meet only on Mondays," Mr. Bbveiudok thought that a meeting once a week was quite sufficient. Mr. Cadman remarked that as the Board was now situated it might bo difficult to convene a special meeting as five must then be preffiJjL

Mr. Beveridse thought that if the meeting were fixed for Monday only a regular attendance might be calculated on. Mr. Macready seconded the motion, which was then put and carried. THE ASSESSOKS. Mr. Mackeadv stated that ho had waited on Mr. Aitkin, as deputed by the Board, and had heard from that individual that the work would be proceeded with as quickly as possible, and that they would like to get on with the work before the warrant was issued. Mr. Cadman stated that he had just seen Messrs. Baber and Aitkin, who were desirous that the warrant should be at once issued. Mr. Bevemdge thought the assessors nhould bo urged on to prosecute the work without delay, and that as soon as the work was nearly done the warrant could be signed. The usual cheques were drawn by the Board. NOTICB OF MOTION. Mr. Beveiudqb gave notice that at the next meeting of the Board he would move " that lamp-posts, mud-scrapers, &c, be sent for from Britain."

There being no other business before thorn they dispersed.