SOCIAL AND DOMESTIC. .

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 74, 18 November 1864, Page 5

SOCIAL AND DOMESTIC. .

The principal local events of the monfli will bd found in the third and sixth pages* They will oe seen to comprise an account of the opening of the firafc Southland Railway, Meetings for the for. mation of a Volunteer tfire Brigade, and Volua* teer jSnval Bridie apd Cavalr/ Corp* ; phambev of Commojoa Heatings i GoriseojtUen QfCkflwUt Church and iwr ttucmifi &H { .<s£ %*ss fs&

A meeting of gentlemen in : favor of- the formation bf a Southland Cavalry Corps; was held on the 29th ultimb, in the Southland Club Hotel. J. R. Carey, Esq. : , was called to the chair. Adiscussion ensued on the most desirahle means for organising ' the corps, when it was agreed .that a memorial should he gb't up and signed by all those in favor of the movement, Tor the purpose of' heing forwarded^ to : His the : G-overnor; and praying; tliat their services mighfc.be accepted. A s'uh-cpmmittee - was. appointed :to draw up. a code, of; rules, to he Bubmitte"d to the next general meeting. * The meeting -' -was iii- favor of at once appointing a drill- instructor, but it iwas finally determined to let; the matter stand over till the feeling of; the out-lying districts had been tested. Prom the manner in which the movement is being carried out, we hope soon -to chronicle the first driU meeting of our volunteer cavalry corps. Saturday (29th : ult.;) was" marked by the. occurrence of one of the severest gales which have been experienced here for sometime £ past. We are ;..-' glad ; to ;: state, , : however, that no Olives have been sacrificed; but the damage ddn'O'tO property has been • considerable. Early in the Biommg the strong nor'-wester blowing set the' bush on!the Government reserve at the north •dd of the town in a blaze, which, so far as can be ascertained,. was, originated, by a. tree which had Veen snioiuderihg for some time previously. -At ♦jri. o'clock,, the gale not abating the least, the fire aesumedalarmmg dimensions and spread before the breeze with great rapidity. Its proximity to town, likewise/ aroused; the_ liveliest apprehensions of impending danger, which -was greatly enhanced by the direction in which the wind was blowing. It became a matter of serious moment, too, with the occupants of the tents and houses along the. reserve ; but the continued ravages of the fire 'left them no alternative but to prepare for the worst.. They accordingly set about removing their goods and chattels to sections which liad been cleared of bush, and then directed their attention to pouring bucket-Ms of water on the buildings themselves .;•= to ensure then- safety. Despite; all their efforts, however, one large tent caught fire and had to be destroyed at once. By iireo o'clock in the afternoon the fire had travelled iuarly half a mile— the- tall pine trees: sending on the wings of the breeze from the .one to the other -sparks .of fire with, great rapidity. A great number of the tfees being dead, or partially so, the fire had nothing to stay its' progress, and as the burning embers fell amongst the dry. scrub, on the ground, the •whole bush, quickly became a mass of fire and •moke. The police were early on the scene, to render assistance, accompanied by Mr. Cominis•ioner Weldon. As the Clinton Mill tramway was reached a fortunate lull took place, followed by an equally fortunate change of wind into a more westerly direction. This had the effect of nearly allaying all apprehension for the safety of town property, although during the previous part of the day, sparks had been carried to the very doors of some of the houses, and even over as far as the Cricket Ground itself. The house of our ' worthy letter-carrier, W. Steel, had a very narrow escape, but, thanks to the efforts of the police, the dangerwas successfully, though with great trouble, averted. All his furniture being removed to an open •ection, water was poured continuously upon the building, and this, with the cutting and clearing away of a portion of the timber adjoining, eventually »aved the house from the flames. Similar precautions had to be resorted to to save the house of Mr. Campbell. Several more families were ' preparing for tie approach of the fire, aud had removed their furniture ; but, as we before stated, the wind sent the flames in another direction,. and partially reassured them. We learn that one person sustained a fracture of her leg in the excitement of the occasion, and that two more had been severely burnt ; but of these latter we have ascertained nothing positive or authentic. As the fire was now progressing towards the sawmills, the police took the precaution to warn the people, but as the evening wore on the gale died away to a great extent, so that they were comparatively »afe for a time. The scene throughout the day, and especially in the evening, was a Tery impressive one, and the extremely rapid manner in which the flames run up and down the trees, and spread from the one to the other, accompanied by bright towering flames, lit up a scene of great beauty, which was greatly enhanced by the dark background of the lombre pine trees around. The greatest praise is due to the constabulary for then* watchful anxiety for the safety of the lives and pioperty of the inhabitants, and when one views the scene of the fire, with the numerous habitations around, he is Etruck with wonder at the narrow escape which many have had. Rain at last, however, quieted the gale, and as the continuous shower fell the people had the satisfaction of knowing that they might retire to rest with comparative security from danger. The alarm which has been occasioned them, however, may occur again, and it is to be hoped that some rigorous precautionary measures will be taken to guard against future danger of the like nature. A fire so near the town will always be an object of terror to the inhabitants, and the high winds which so frequently prevail here increase -tenfold the chance of a serious con- ' fljigration in the town itself. *_ A special general meeting of the Invercargnl Chamber of Commerce took place in the chambers of Mr. Fred. Kutter, the secretary, in Tay-street, on the afternoon of Wednesday. The following were present :— Messrs W. H. Calder, J. Blacklock, C.S. Button, D. M'Donald, A. W. Gilles, Samuel Beaven, Jabez Hay, W. Russell, C. Bout, H. Law, J. H. Perkins, and W. Stuart. Mr.Calder, who was called to the chair, said the Annual Eeport of the Chamber had not been ' drawn up, nor the balance-sheet made out, as • weii as many other things which had not been at..'tended to according to the rules. The resignation of Mr. W. H. Whitton, as treasurer, had prevei Acd a statement of the accounts being submitted, but although these had not been audited, they had been carefully checked by the secretary, Mr. ' Nutter, and found in a perfectly satisfactory state. He. (the. chairman) was glad to announce that the ■-, financial condition of the Chamber was sound, . there being a balance of £183 odds to their credit * with the bank. He then said it was unnecessary for him to refer to.' the depressed state of trade <" during the pa3tyear, and how the depression had ■;>-•' ; in a great measure paralysed the eiforts of the ,-.. Chamber. Then* meetings had in consequence been thinly attended, and an- apathy had prerailed which could only be accounted for by weightier, or more personal matters engaging their - ' 1 attention. The Chamber of Commerce had been of some use however. It had furnished a code of charges, which had been a means of preventing litigation to a considerable extent, and even when the charges were brought into Court, they were taken as sufficient data upon which to ground a decision. Several casea of arbitration had likewise been settkd,jwjiich might have been the cause of much litigation. Thi3 meeting had been called forthe electionTof the office-bearera and committee of the' Chamber, and it was likewise, suggested '' : that they ehould entertain, the proposal to reduce • the entrance fee, and annual subscription, as also those rules which had reference to quorums at meetings. After some conversation, Sir. Stuart moved that in rule IV, the quorum at a committee meeting should be reduced from five to three. This was seconded by Mr. Blacklock, and carried unanimously. The chairman then intimated that - .rule "VTU was the, next that required revision ; on ■ which it was moved by Mr. Stuart, and seconded by Mr. Rnssell that tlie entrance fee shall be £1 Is., in place of £3 3s. j and the annual subscription £1 Is., in place of £2 25., as formerly — all subscriptions to be payable in advance on the first day of May in each year. This resolution was carried unanimously. It was then moved by Mr. PonaldJl'Donald, and seconded by Mr. A.. W. Grilles, that seven form a quorum at general meetings of the Chamber. This motion was also carried without opposition. The meeting then proceeded to the election of office-bearers, &c., for 1804-65. ■ Tlie vote was taken by ballot, and Messrs. Kussell and Bout were appointed ecruti- ' neers*. The following were appointed, tiz,, W. H. Cidder, Esq., chairman j Henderson Law, E«q.,' Tice-ehairman j J>. M'Donald, and W. Stuart, Auditors. 81.B 1 . Nutter, secretary and fcreaiorer, Messrs. John Macdonald, A. W.- GHlles, C. S, Button, o,^Roufc, Jftbw H*p, W. Bußseil,

bers of committee. This being all the .business before the meeting, the proceedings then terminated. . A meeting of gentlemen in favor of the formation of a Fire Brigade for Invercargill, was convened in Messrs. M'Pherson & Co.'s offices, Dee-street, on .tie Ist", instant. .-The place not being commodious enough, however, the meeting adjourned to. ColyerV Princess' Hotel opposite. The following gentlemen were present, viz.: — Messrs. G-. S. W. Dalryruple (chair), Buchanan, C. S. Button, Arbuclde, Callow, Kingslahd, Henderson, Whitton,. Nutter, r.Osborne, M'Pherson, Wright, Mar tin, Brodrick, I/. Grilles, Higgins, -Reese, Mendoza, aud Hatch, Hon. See.. •pro Mem: Mr. Dalryniple then opened the pro r ceedings. He was sorry that a greater number of persons were not present,. yet in one sense he was not disheartened at the small attendance. Such a, movement as the , formation of a Fire Brigade did not require to be. got up by any great public i demonstration. It required only those whose property was at stake, and he was glad to see those present who had a stake in the town, and who. would: really take a .deep interest in tie establishment of a Fire Brigade. For the value of, and the necessity for one, he would only refer them to Monday Morning'sfire. Mr. Dalrymple then stated that when the last meeting for the formation of fire brigade was called, he and Mr. Kingsland had been deputed to wait on his Honor the Superintendent, to ascertain what assistance could be expected from Grovernment. They were informed that the Government was not in a position to do anything in the meantime, and also that the grant, which had been voted for the purpose, ha*» lapsed, in consequence of the money not being claimed. The Superintendent was at same time spoken to about ground as a site for an engine house, &c, and a spot opposite the police . barracks had been suggested. His Honor said he had no doubt that if an application were sent in to that effect, that the site would be granted. It now only lay with the inhabitants to bring about so. happy a result as the formation of a fire brigade. The Chairman then intimated that he would be glad to hear any suggestions which might be made as to the best means of carrying out the views sf the meeting.' Mr, C. S. Button did not think there was one man in Invercargill who would not (without fee or reward) do all he could to maintain, the efficiency of a fire brigade, but he did not think the inhabitants ought to be called on to pay for the appliances. This the insurance companies should be expected to do, and if ten insurance companies in Invercargill could not see their way to equip a fire brigade, he thought they did not look to their true interest. He would protest against monoy being raised to the extent of £500, for this purpose by the inhabitants. The insurance companies ought to find the engines, &c., — the town will find the men. Mr. Kingsland was at varience with the previous speaker. The insurance companies he said, only effected insurances in accordance with tllO risk, and in a town which supported a brigade of course the risk was much smaller, and the inhabitants reaped the benefit. He did not ilunk it would be of the slightest use to start a fire brigade without money — and plenty of it. (Ho then ran over a list of the appliances requisite, which at his estimate amounted to upwards of £600). As to the vv-orking of the brigade, he did not anticipate any difficulty whatever, and was confident that thirty or forty names would be enrolled . at nee. He would propose the appointment of aa committee to consider fully what the cost of a fire brigade would be. On this, Mr. Button said he adhered to his former statement, that the insurance companies should furnish the appliances, and he cited cases where individual companies maintained brigades of their own. A conversation ensued as to the supply of water, when Mr. Kingsland said that in the interview he and the chairman had with His Honor the Superintendent, the temporary use of tanks was spoken of. His Honor said, however, that the supply of water to Invercargill from the Oreti Eiver had been under the consideration of the Government. He (Mr. Mr. Kingsland) thought, however, that all idea of this had long been lost sight of, and ho would only exj>eet to see such an enterprise carried out when Invercargill was something like Melbourne in size. This, he thought, would require a little time. Mi-. Seeae now made a proposal, but being in effect almost similar to that of Mr. D Kingsland, both finally were conjoined, and took the form of the following resolutions : — That a committee, comprising the names of the agents of the Otago, the Royal, and the London and Liverpool Insurance Companies, and those of Mr. Callow, Kingsland, Gilles, Reese, Binney, and Hateh — be formed, for the purpose of ascertaining what sum of money would be required to establish an efficient fire brigade, and of considering the ways and means for carrying out the same. The sub-committee agreed to meet in the same place this evening, at half -past seven o'clock. The general committee in connection with the late festivities on the occasion of the Public Opening of the Oreti Railway, met in Colyer's Princess Hotel, on the evening of the 4th inst. for a squaring up of the accounts. Mr. Jolin Munro, the secretary, occupied the chair. The treasurer, Mr. C. B. Kingman, submitted, a financial statement, exhibiting a total expenditure of £67 15s. 6d., and a total income of £84 19s. 6d., and leaving a balance in hand of £17 4s. The report was approved of. The receipt and payments on account of the Provincial Brass Band were next considered, and from the statements made it appeared that certain of the caterers for their refreshments had adopted the by no means uncommon practice of " sticking it on," somewhat strongly. The band, however, were at once exonerated from any blame in the matter^ and finally it wa3 left to a sub-committee to settle the doubtful accounts with the parties to the best advantage. It was resolved that the free balance in hand be handed over in aid of the fund 3 of the Hospital ; and also that the secretary write a letter to Mr. J. K. i Davies, the railway contractor, on behalf of the committee, and the public generally, expressing their high sense of his great kindness and personal attention for their comfort and enjoyment on the opening of the railway. Votes of thanks were cordially tendered to Messrs. Munro, Hatch, Kingman, and the Decoration Committee, for the parts they took in the carrying out of the late festivities in bo successful a manner ; after which the proceedings terminated. ' A numerously attended meeting of the members of the Invercargill Fire Brigade was held on the evening of Monday last, in the Union Hotel, Taysfcreet. 'Mr. G-. S. W. Dalrymple was voted to the chair. Having" 'briefly opened the proceedings, he said the first : thing requiring attention was the election of asecretarypro. tern. Captain Callow then moved, and Mr. S. Jacoby seconded, the election of Mr. Joseph Hatch. The motion was carried unanimously. Mr. Stock, on the motion of Mr. Buchanan, seconded by Mr. Shields, was proposed as Treasurer. Mr. Jabez Hay was proposed for the office on the motion of Mr. H. B. Wright, seconded by Mr. Taylor. On a show of hands being taken, Mr. Stock was declared elected. The next business was the appointment of collectors of money for Fire Brigade purposes. The chairman stated that the names of those appointed at the public meeting in the Mechanics' Institute were not all enrolled members of the brigade, and it would rest with the meeting to say if any but those connected . with the brigade should be appointed, and also to elect a finance committee ad, interim. The following gentlemen were thereupon appointed viz., — Messrs. Hay, Mowat, Binney, Reese, Dalrymple, M'Culloch; Stock, Button, and Buchanan. After a long and desultory discussion it was at length resolved that .the meeting proceed to the j election, of officers of the brigade for three months, I and also a committee of seven to act in concerk i for that period. Mr. James M-'G'ulloch was then chosen as captain. . Mr. George Reese as lieutenant ; and Mr. Kingsland aa foreman. The gentle-, men forming the committee are as follows : — Messrs. W. Blacklock, Wotton, Saunders, Bowman, Nichol, Jacoby, and Cowper, A cordial vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the proceedings. A public meeting of the inhabitant)? took place in the Hall of the Mechanics* Institute on the evening of Friday laefc, for the purpose of taking

Brigade for Invercai gill. Mr. T. L. Bright occupied the chair on the occasion, and prefaced' the business by a few remarks on the desirability of such a brigade being speedily formed. Mr. C. S, Button then moved the first resolution, which was to the following effect -.—"That in consequence of the late calamitous fire, and the absence of all provision for extinguishing fire, it is the opinion of ithis meeting that a fire brigade should at once be 'formed, and measures be taken for providing the nece.ssary appliances." Mr. Kingsland secondi ed: the resolution, and. in doing so said the committee had instituted the necessary -ih-rairies as to required. appliances and their cost. There, was a ladder " carriage in town to be bought for a sum under the original cost, and an engine had been offered at what was considered a low figure: They also had considered the advisability of erecting a bell-tower, with engine-house. &c., attached. As to water supply, tanks sunk under the gratings in different parts of the streets, on the principle of one at the rear of Messrs. Hatch and Hayes premises in Tay-street, were favorably thought of; and the plan is recommended. As to pecuniary assistance, the committee find that neither the Government nor the Town Board are in a position to do anything ; everything thus resting with the inhabitants, with the CO-operation of the agents of the various insurance companies. The resolution was unanimously carried. Mr. G. S. W- Dalrymple moved the next resolution : — : , " That a subscription list be at once opened, and parties in the room invited to subscribe ; and tha,t the following gentlemen be appointed as a committee to canvass the town for subscriptions viz, — Messrs. Buchanan, Dalrymple, Hare, Button, Binney, and Gilles." The sum required, he said, was £566. The speaker then remarked, that as the Government wa3 not now in a position to advance the sum (£500) formerly voted for fire brigade purposes, it rested with the inhabitants themselves to take the matter in hand. He then ran over the itenia comprising the total of £566, as follows : — Hook-aiulladder carriage, £160 (original cost, £200) ; engine, (priee_ at which one in town can be purchased for) £50 : engine-house, bell-tower, &c, £200 : fire bell, £6 ; repairs and purchase of hose, &c, £50 ; water-tanks, &c, £100 ; total, £566. After the necessary preliminary expenses had been met, Mr. Dalrymple said it was proposed that in order to keep up fche brigade, every merchant or trader should authorise his storeman to give a shilling: a week out of the till to the funds of the brigndo. Mr. Hatch seconded the resolution, which was unanimously adojsted. Mr. Binney next moved — " That those gentlemen desirous of joining the brigade enrol themselves at tlie end of the meeting." Mr. Buchanan seconded the motion, which was likewise passed unanimously. Tlie last resolution was proposed by Mr. Kingsland, and seconded by Captain Callow, to the effect that thos? enrolling this evening meet for the transaction of business on Monday evening at eight o'clock, at thf Union Hotel, Tay-street. A vote of thanks to Mr. Bright for presiding terminated the proceedings. Fory-eight members were enrolled at once, and the subscription list filled up satisfactorily. Tlie state of H. M. gaol, luvercargill, for the week ending yesterday is as follows : — Total number of prisoners confined, 32 males, 3 females, total, 35. Of this number there are sentenced to hard labor 14 males, 3 females ; penal servitude, 5 males ; imprisonment only, 2 females ; debtors, 4 males ; lunatics, 7 males. Received during the week, 5 males, 2 females ; total, 7. Discharged during same period, Q ; decreaso of inmates for the week, 2. Wednesday, the birth-day anniversary of H.E..H. the Prince of AVales, was selected by the masonic body in InvercargilL for the ceremony of consecrating 'the New Masonic Hall, in Kelvinstreet. At twelve o'clock, the brethren met in the Southland Club Hotel, Dee-street, where tlie lodge was opened in the first degree. The members of the craft then formed themselves into a procession in the following order : — The Tyler (Brother Cullis), with drawn sword. The Band. Visiting Brethren, marching two and tyro. Fellow Crafts, in tho sarae ordor. Master Masons, marching two and two. Tho Secretary (Brother Hogg), with Book of Constitutions. The Junior Warden (Brother Callow), with the Plumb Rule. The Senior TFarden (Brother Mendoza), with the Level, and supported by the Junior Deacon (Brother C. Beese). Brother C. Kingman, bearing the Volume of the Sacred Law on a cushion of blue velvet. The Worshipful Master (Brother Frederic Chapman), supported by the Senior Deacon, (Brother Ross). i Inner Guard (Brother Livesoy), with drawn , sword. The procession attracted a considerable number of spectators, and the brethren of the " mystic tie," clad in full regalia costume, and carrying the various symbols of the craft, presented a spectacle j seldom to be witnessed in quiet colonial towns, j The enlivening strains of the band, likewise, lent an additional attraction. After marching by way j of Dee, Tay, and Kelvin streets, the hall was readied, and after forxning into proper Order, according to the formula of the craft the brethren entered the hall, solemn music being played on the harmonium at the tune by the organist. The ceremony of consecrating tlie hall was then gone through, and the W. M. delivered an appropriate address. A splendid masonic banquet took place in the evening in the hall, provided by Bro. Jones I of the Southland Club Hotel, in his well-known first-class style. The chair was occupied by tlie W. M., supported on his right by Bro. J. A. Ji. Menzies, and on his left by Bro. J. R. Davies. The Senior Warden Bro. Mendoza filled the vice chair. After doing ample justice to the sumptuous repast, the usual loyai toasts followed, after Ailich, the "Three Grand Lodges — jingland, Scotland, and Ireland" was proposed by the W. M., and drunk with masonic honors. The toast of " Visiting Brethren " was next proposed, and Bro. Butts responded. The healths of tlie " Builder— Bro. Hill, the W. M., and the senior and junior officers of the lodge " were next drunk with all due honors. The evening was spent most harmoniously, the party not separating till a late hour. The Commissioners of the New Zealand Exhibition at Dunedin have given notice, that on and after the 18th instant goods will be received at the building. Possession of the building haa been given them, and they intend to adhere to their original intention to open the Exhibition on the 2nd of January. The Superintendent of Otago has issued a proclamation to the effect, that the former proclamation prohibiting the importation of cattle from SoutHand into that Province is now rescinded. Mr. Perkins delivered a lecture on the 19th ult., in the Mechanics' Institute. The subject was " Lighthouses and Lightships," which was treated in a very able and instructive manner. The attendance, however, wo regret to state, was very meagre. The following is the state of H. M. gaol, Invercargill, for the month ending 2nd November, 1864. Sentenced to hard labor, 16 males, 1 female ; penal servitude, 5 males ; imprisonment only, 2 ; on remand from Resident Magistrate's Court, 1 ; debtors, 5; lunatics, 6; total, 35 males, 1 female. Received during the month, 15 males, 3 femalcß; discharged during same period, 15 males, and 2 females. Of the 18 received during the month 4 were for larceny, 1 for drunkenness, 1 embezzlement, 4 debt, 1 ship desertion, 1. assault and rape, 1 assault, 1 breach of peace. 2 breach of vagrant ordinance, and 2 lunatics, for medical treatment. . Tue following is tho state of 3J. M. gaol, Invercargill, for the week ending 2nd Novembor, 1864 : Sentenced to hard labor, 21 males, 1 female ; on remand, 1 male j imprisonment only, 2,; : debtors, 5; lunatics, 6 ; total, : 36. .Received during tho week,. 4 males, 1 female ; total, 5 j discharged, 1 male and 1 iemale. Increase in numbor,' of inmates for the. week, 3.; 1 < ; \ The efflciohcy of the firo engine at . ; present iix Iriverciargill was tested bn the afternoon ofi the Yth inisti by the ProyJpionaJ Committee for tho (ostablishraent of » JTiro 3riga4e^or''the'.tpwh'.. : ;'..'^o. : biiniK' at tho rear of Messrs, Hatch & Hayos' proniisfS

andi at the conclusion, a satisfactory verdict wa3 passed on the performance of the engine, and on the, -adaptability of tanks for the supply of water. We: understand that a public meeting will be held on Friday first for the furtherance of the establishment of the brigade, and for bringing the matter more prominently before the eyes of the public. The 9th inst! was a very quiet holiday in Tnvercargill. \ Throughout the entire day, groups of persons were to be observed in the streets, but it was rery evident : that they were in great doubt asito what to do "with themselves. The inauspicious weather heightened this, and.preyented not a few from taking a trip to the country, or from enjoying themselves in anyway whatever. Two ; excursion trains started from the Railway Station for the Makarewa, but. they were very poorly patronised, and the receipts for the passenger traffic will no doubt provoke a smile, some years hence when we can boast of a regularly established system of railway communication between the various parts of the proviuce. Sundry pic-nic parties were formed, and despite the gloomy, and inauspicious weather contrived to make the most of the day. The Government offices, banks, and many of tlio principal places of business were closed. : The anniver3arv ball and supper of the Shamrock, Rose, and" Thistle Lodge, M.U.1.0.0.F., came off on the 10th. inst., in the Theatre Royal under the most favorable auspices, Dancing comniencedat nine o'clock to music specially engagedfor the occasion and was kept up with great spirit for an hour or two, when the company, which would number nearly one hundred, proceeded to discuss a sumptuous supper, provided by Brother Ohennels. Dancing was afterwards resumed with renewed vigor. The entire, evening's proceedings passed olf most pleasantly and harmoniously. A general meeting of the Town Board was held in Che Board Room was held on the 10th instant, There were present— Messrs. Hay, Luuasdeil, Smith, Livesey (chairman), and Jaggers. The minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed. The meeting then took into consideration the matter of the formation of Esk-street. Mr. Calder, who was present as a deputy from the inhabitants of said street, stated that they would advance the necessary outlay to be incurred provided the Board would guarantee the repayment of this outlay when they were in a position to do 80. Mr. Calder also wished to ascertain if the Board were prepared to undertake, the management of metalling the street, &c. This he thought should properly be undertaken by the Board, even if private eifort should in the meantime be the means of having the works performed. The Chairman said he had no doubt the Board would only be too glad to accept tlxe offer Mr. Calder was deputed to make. Mr. Lumsden referred to the bye-laws and to the borrowing powers of the Board, and stated as his opinion that the money could be received only under a special clause. As to the repayment of the money he did not sec how it could be done otherwise than by crediting in future yeara the inhabitants of that street, with the amounts of the rates payable by them. Some such arrangement as that might be made, but he thought there was much need for some alteration in the Act as to the powers of the Board to borrow money. The clerk now reminded the meeting that a document had been prepared by the former solicitor for the Board, when Messrs. Hall and M : Donald's contract for the same street was entered into, and he suggested that some such document might serve the same purpose in the present case. Mr. Caldor said ho thought it would be the simplest method to make the inhabitants parties to the contract. He also said in reference to the remission of Iho rates year by year, that it might serve in the case of those parties whose advances to the board would be repaid before the existence of the Board ceased, it being constituted anew every four years. It was just possible, however, that the new Board would not sanction such an arrangement as proposed. He would suggest that a document, such as had been .spoken of, be drawn up which would be submitted to the inhabitants ; but as several members of the Board had not. seen the document formerly drawn up, it was moved by Mr. Hay, and seconded by Mr. Lumsden, that the matter lie over till next meeting. Mr. Calder then thanked the meeting and withdrew. An application by Messrs. M'Neill and Wilson for compensation for outlay on Kclvm-sireet, opposite their property, the Alhambra Hotel, was resolved upon not to be entertained. It was resolved that the application of Mi*. William Roebuck for permission to erect two lamps in front of his premises, the .Empire Hotel, Dee-street, be granted. The clerk reported to the meeting the result of tlu-ee appeal Cases recently heard in the Resident Magistrate's Court. It was the opinion of the meeting that the decisions of that Court with regard to the annual-value-to-let of property were most extraordinary. Mr. Lumsden did not see what nse there was of a Town Board at all if their decisions on municipal affairs were to be thwarted in a manner so much at variance with everything like equity, it was resolved, however, to let matters remain as they are at present till the Council meets, and the subject of the Town Board Ordinance generally will bo brought under their notice. After some other business of a minor nature, the proceedings terminated.