TOWN BOARD.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 11, 25 June 1864, Page 3

TOWN BOARD.

■"'A', special meeting of the Board was held in the Board-rpomj Tay-street, last night. -Messrs. <i Webster, Clark, jaggers, Reynolds, Garthwaite/j Moffatfc, Smith, Broad, and Scandrett were present. Mr. ; Weston, the solicitor to the Board, was also in attendance. Mr; Clark occupied the chair. -,f_ The object of the meeting waa to take into .consideration i the financial \ position of the Board, in consequence of the late decision on the assessment; -appeal cases in the Resident Magistrate's Court, and ; to devise means; whereby; the expenditure ,' of; the Board might be made more in conformity with its revenue. -> ijx. Weston explained thathehad nought for an Adjournment of the remaining eases. 'of appeal to he heard before the Magistrates in drQer'to 6b- : tain the views of the Board; on the matter.. He wished to learn if the Board might lower thorate of assessment— a course which he felt inclined to recommend. ! ■ ; ' ' ! • ,7 Mr. Bboad remarked, that it appeared, that |he Magistrates, and not the Town Board, were . the assessors of the town property. ' ■'■■''■ Mr. Websteb inquired if there was a precedent. The Chaieman stated that by* the/;new Ordinance the decision of two magistrates, in cases of appeal, was final. Mr. Scandbett thought the recent decision an extraordinary one. The T6wn'-Board appointed their assessors in November last, and tho, appeals against their assessment were appointed to be heard in February. At that time a committee of the Board was formed, for the purpose of making | a general reduction of the valuation of the asses- j sors. This was done to the extent of 33-per cent., which was thought to ;be ample. The revised assessment roll was adopted by the Board, and notices in the usual manner were issued, in the usual manner for payment. It happened, however, that these were not issued at the proper time, and it was on this point that the appellant's solicitor founded his special argument. ThCy should have been sent out early in March, instead of in April. He also could not understand the evidence of one of the assessors, who staled that in November a section was worth so much, and that in April no value at all could be put <m it. Mr. Jaq-gebs wished to ascertain if the decision of the Magistrates altered the principle of the assessment. Mr. Weston replied that the annual value was determined upon at 10 per cent, on the value of unimproved sections, and 15 per cent, on those improved. Mr. Scandbett inquired; if -;<ihe< Board could make another assessment this year. On referring to the 44th Clause of the Act, such would appear to be the case. , ..;.. Mr. Weston stated that if it yrere to be done it must be de tiovo. Besides,, there would be a. difficulty in the way of those parties who had already paid assessments. Mr.* Reynolds then rose and suggested that tho Town Board should resign in a.bpdy. He considered such a step would be acceptable to the rate-payers. He proposed to transferee functions of the Board into the hands of the jrovinical Government, who would, he was sure, conduct the affairs of the town more economically and quite as well. He would beg to move the following resolution, viz., — " That, taking into consideration the financial position " of the Town Board, its limited powers as a corporate body, and unavoidable expenditure of public money, in maintaining a staif of officials, whose duties are at present of an unproductive nature, it is the opinion of this Board that it would be more conducive to the interests of the public that it should transfer its functions to the Provincial Government, and that a coinmitteo bo appointed, consisting of Messrs. Moffat, Broad, Clarke, Webster, and the mover, to make all necessary arrangements, with a view of carrying out the above object, and submit the same at the next meeting of the Board." Mr. Jaggebs did not think the affairs of the j Board would be managed more economically or any better by the Government. They had quite enough ! to do with their own aflairs. He thought that retrenchment was all that was wanted. * They did not require an engineer if there were no engineering works to be executed ; they did not want a. tax collector if there were no taxes to collect ; but a clerk was really required, and he thought all but him should be discharged. He further thought that it would not be just to the inhabitants to resign, and also that it was doubtful if the Government would take upon themselves the functions of the Board. Mr. Scandbett agreed with the former speaker in his remarks, and advocated the reduction of the expenditure. A discussion, in which nearly all the members took part, now ensued, and the question of petitioning for additional powers, under the Municipal Ordinance system, was mooted. Nothing was done, however, in the matter at present, and Mr. Reynolds likewise withdrew his resolution. Mr. Beoab now moved — " That all the officials employed by the Board receive one month's notice of dismissal." Mr. Websteb seconded the motion. Mr.ScANDBETT moved as an amendment — "That Mr. Richardson be informed that the Board, having taken into consideration tho state «f its finances, deem it expedient that his services will not be required after this day month, but that he be appointed honorary engineer to the Board ; that Mr. Hunter be informed that his services will not be required after this month ; and that all day laborers be discharged." Mr. Jagg-ebs seconded the amendment The amendment was first put to the meeting, when four voted : for it. The motion was afterwards put, when the same number voted for it. The Chairman, believing that the Board could not dispense with the services of the clerk, gave his casting vote in favor of the amendment. The motion was therefore lost, and the amendment declared carried. No' further business being before the meeting, the proceedings terminated, ■ ' i. .

A Heavy Stake. — I went a few days since with my friend Miss Rosguildabff to the bazaar, to buya feyr articles I/wanted for a journey. .In one .of the magazines was alady past .the heyday of life ; sh o . was still good-looking, and must at one time hay c pqen very pretty. As she bowed- to my friend on entermgil s had curiosity euough.to.uiq'uipe.whpshe; was, and was told she was a lady who had been lost : and wonat cards/ I asked ifor an explanation, andr learned thaft she was a: (Siberian! beauty, married young to a gay and rich man, who was, what is ; very common^ in Siberia; 'a greaFgambler, ;~s_Q [that in a few years he ran. through- the greater part of a large fortune.; His wife lcfiewi nothing of, this ,vbut her eyes were, opened' when:oneday ; a gentleman arrived at their house, which .was put of town, and claimed her as, his property. flt appeared that the husband and th^claun'ant 'Had/been playing" the 'witole night, and the sun'had risen- high in the heavens before the contest-closed; when the former rose a ruin'edman', having losteveiy kopeck; h'd was possessed of; besides land, housed furniture, horses, and even wife ; she. was his last stake. He asked his adversary' whether 'he would" accept>Her ; a3 a T stake i ; h6ped'by' ; tlie last 'hazard to-re-trieve his losses. :/3?erhapsUt was fortunate for her. i that he did not, for she now lived with her victor; foxr twenty years, tleading v.a j.most happy and exemplaa^7Ufo;r,lt; i 3 certamly a novel way rfor husbands, to get rid ofl-their wives. — Tartar Steppes .and their Inhabitants. By Mrs: Atkinson-