The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1877.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5226, 21 December 1877, Page 2

The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1877.

A vjciiY important meeting of the City Council took place yesterday afternoon, a report of which will be found elsewhere. In discussing one of the subjects brought before the meeting, it came out that a cheque for the sum of £2970 had been paid to Mr. Saunders, the waterworks contractor, on account of extras on his contract. It appears the payment had been made upon the authority of the late Mayor, and the cheque was signed by him, Councillor Macdonald, and the Town Clerk. However, it-seems from a statement made yesterday that Mr. Hester had some hesitation in signing the cheque, as the account had not been passed by the Public Works Committee, nor had it been brought under the notice of the Council, as might have been expected in a matter involving the payment of such a large sum as £2970. The announcement of the course, of procedure adopted almost took away i the breath .'of:-several of the Couucil, and appeared to excite a very great amount of .-alarm in their minds.’ It is understood that the subject will again be brought upder the. notice of the Council at the meeting to-day, when it is probable some further light will be thrown outhe matter. In the meantime, this fact is patent —that Mr. Hutchison, in concert with the' Waterworks Engineer, made, the largo payment we have referred to without the sanction of the Public Works Committee, and without the claim having been brought under the notice of the Council. The whole affair seems to us very extraordinary, and we can only hope that it will be fully inquired into. The circumstance is certain to create an uneasy suspicion,in the public mind, and if the matter is capable of fair explanation, the sooner that suspicion is allayed' the better. We‘refrain from lengthened comment till the matter is fully laid before the public by the report of the proceedings of: the meeting to be held this day.'

Till! news received yesterday from the seat of war is important. The fortunes of Russia continue in the ascendant, and the Sultan of Turkey is said to bo’ desirous of the intervention of, the great neutral Powers in the interests of peace. The London Times impresses on both combatants' tho necessity of a speedy settlement, recommending concession on tho part of tho Turks and moderation on the part of the Russians. Excellent advice undoubtedly, and which it is to bo hoped will be taken. Osman ; Pasha, our telegrams state, has committed suicide with poison, the alleged reason for the 'commission of the rash act being “ tho Moslem inveterate objection to amputation.”