TOWN BOARD.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 10, 23 June 1864, Page 3

TOWN BOARD.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Board was . held last night, in the Board Room, Tay-streot. The following Members were present, viz. : — Messrs. Clarke, Jaggers, Scandretfc, Garfchwaite, Smith, Webster, and'Ritcherson, Town Engineer. Mr. Clarke occupied <^gp Chair. The minutes of last meeting were read arid confirmed. A communication was read from Mr. Puttelkovr, of the. Provincial Hotel, requesting permission to lay down a three-foot crossing across Tay-street, in place of a five-foot one which the Board at its last meeting sanctioned. The engin.eerwa9 asked to give his opinion as to the advisability of altering the siseof the crossings at present being constructed throughout the town. He said that if the experiment was found to be a beneficial one, it would be well to adopt it, on the score of lessening the expense liow being laid out on such crossings. ,He certainly thought that the making of crossings at this season of the year was very inadvisable, as the gravel on each side of them was sure to be much cut up. : The three-feofc crossings, he considered, would not bo found to suit so well as, those presently in use. Mr. Jaegers' thought that ;thb ! crossing in question should bo assented to, if it could be made without injury to the street. There was, , however, another crossing only 30 feet apart,' which ho considered perfectly sufficient for public convenience at presontl and ho woiild oppose any resolution vrhich might rescind that passbd r at last meeting,

Mr. Scajtdbett said ho was opposed to the ayßtem of laying down inferior croseinga, but thought it might be ; a justifiable proceeding on tho part of the Board to bear, a proportion (say £10) ' of the expense of a crossing of the usual■ize. ■'■■'■ . v,- j;. ;■;■•; . ; The Chaibmak stated that the Board could not afford to spend more money than it was actually compelled to do. The funds at their' disposal •would not admit, of it. , After sdnie further discussion, it was moved by Mr. Soanduett, and seconded by Mr. Jaggebs, that Mr. Puetteikow be informed that ho may construct the crossing in conformity with the plans and specification? previously submitted to theßoarcL I, '._.„_'. ; ..__ . Mr. Gakthwaitb moved, as an amendment, that j Mr. Puttelkow be allowed to lay down his crossing according^ to 'his present pUmp provided he keep. the. approaches to it in proper repair for the period of sis months. . ; ' ! -'■ -I ■• \ Ji Mr. Gaethwaitb, after hearing the voice of the meeting pn the matter, withdrew his - amendment, . and the motion was carried. ; Mr. Scandeett, " draw tho attention of the meeting to the special rates for SpeyV Cotion, and Forth streets. He did not see why the town generally should pay for "the foot-paths in those streets, when the .occupiers in Dee and Tay streets paid for the maintenance of their. own footpaths. He thought the.rates' should now be fixed, >J and the money got in. . •■ . . "j It was, after some further remarks from various members, moved by Mr. Soandbbtx, and seconded by' Mr. SMITH— " That the engineer assist the clerk in striking special ■ rates : for Spey, .Esk, Oonon, and Forth streets." Tho motion was carriei , . . Mr. JAQ&ERB then called attention to" the financial position of the Board, with a view to see whether any reduction could be made in their expenditure. This, he found, from a rough estimate he made on tho 6pot, was upwards of £50 per week, including salaries of officials, interest on loans, and over-drafts, &c., but excluding the lighting expense, which would further increase it. He certainly thought something should be done in the matter. ; The Chaibmax stated that the present assessments amounted to about £3,300, but it was doubtful if ohore than £2,500 of that sum could bo counted upon as good. Their expenditure, therefore, was greater than their income. It was determined at length that no action should be token' in the matter till next meeting, by which time it would be seen' what was tho result of the hearing of tho assessment cases in tho Resident Magistrate's Court. There being no other business before tho meeting, it then adjourned for a fortnight.