'A public meeting of the Council was held on the 16th instant, to decide on the Bud-yet for the ensuing year. Present M. lo Comte Méjan, H. I. M. Consul-general, in the chair,' Messrs. Ayméri, Forbes, Groom and Martin members of Council and G. J. W. Cowie, rate-payer.
The CuarrMan stated that the meetin; was held in accordance with Art. XI, of the Riylement. d'Organisation Municipale and called on the Secretary to the Council, to read the proposed Budget.
The Cuaraay asked Mr. Cowie whether he had any remarks to make on the estimates.
Mr, Cowre had not seen the Budget, until he had entered the room, and had, eon-sequently, not had an opportunity of going thoroughly into the question. He thought it would be a better plan, if copies were printed and circulated. In that case, no doubt the meetings would be better attended, and suggestions would be forthcoming, for the good of the settlement. Would Mr. Forbes, as vice Chairman of the Counil, be good enough to state what were the pHlucipal alterations in the Budget from last year; and what reductions had been effected, or new taxes imposed.
Dir. Foroxs explained that it was pur posed to levy the Land and House Taxes the' same basis as before; but that Tls. 700 had been deducted from the latter, for the benefit of the very poor, from whom it was proposed not to collect the tax. On the other hand, as the value of some Iand within the settlement had risen, the assessment had been raised, so it was expected that rather more would be obtained from this source, The License taxes were the same, with the exception of a new tax on Wheelbarrows, and a slight reduction on chairs. It was also proposed to collect a new tax from the large Chinese hongs; at Bice and lighting rate; and_ contributed a present, these paid only house-tax, and po-very small sum. It was estimated that the slew tax would yield fully Tis, 5,000. The principle on which it was purposed to go, was that those who paid above a certain rental should be taxed, and the Council had reason to believe, from enquiry, that the rate would be readily paid. The commercial tax levied on foreign houses was put down at the same rate_as last year; but the Council had reason to believe it, would be larger. Certain reductions had been made in expenditure on salaries; and the num-they bel ce burdened with contracts ber of police had been reduced. Hitherto,
which obiis em to pay the passage home of time-expired servants; their enti on-this head would in future be' diminished. Among new works, was the addition of one storey to the Police Station at the end of the Bund, which was, before, very unhealthy. A building was also to be erected at the back of the Municipal Hall, for the benefit of the Engineers and other employes, and as a place of meeting for the Fire Brigade. The new cemetery, alongside of the English cemetery, was tobe filled in, though it would not be at once used. The ground in front of the Municipal Hail was also to be filled in, and the statue of Admiral Protét, lately received from home, to be erected there, The largest public work had reference to the Bund—the necessary repairs to which, it was estimated, would cost Tls. 6,000. A great portion of the wood used in the first instance, had been poor; and this had to be removed, and re by Oregon pine. It would be finished next month. bunding had been com leted 3 and when Mr. Cowre asked how long the original
ther there was no remedy against the contractor. It seemed a very short time, within which to have to incur so large an outlay.
'DML Groost said the work was one of necessity; before it was undertaken, Mr. Oliver had been'good enough to inspect and Mr. Blethen had also been consulted. The conclusion come to had been that unless they spent Ts. 6,000 now, they would soon have to spend three times the amount. There had been three contracts for the work; two of which had been broken and one completed.
Mr. Cowte thought that, in future, contractors should be called on to give some the municipality should be guaranteed security to put in proper material; go that against spending money uselessly.
Mr. Fores said there was a guarantee one year from Mr. Butcheldder; and that passed, safely.
Mr. Avwenr remarked that another Tls. 10,000 had been spent, in 1866.
Mr. Forezs went on to explain that the Gas expenses had been put down at Tls. 9,200 instead of Tls. 11,200, as it was hoped to obtain a reduction in price, and also to escape payment, in future, of the Tls. 2,400 interest at the rate Of 8 p.c.
ranteed to the Gas Company Shareholders. "(To Mr. Cowie) the present agreement with the Gas Company was made for 25 years from February 1864, and afterwards confirmed by the Municipality. It might have been bad at the outset, but it would be good in the end, as the Municipality had the right, at the ex-for the amount of the originally subscribed ration of the time, of buying the plant, capital. An Inspector of markets had been appointed; Tls. 1,000 set apart for the general expenses of the Fire Department another 1,000 for a vaccine hospital, and Tls. 2,000 for the construction of four iron tanks, to contain water for use in case of fire.
The Cuarnuay here referred to the appropriation made by the English Council towards the expenses of the fire Department, and to the expectation which had been expressed, that a contribution might be obtained from the Taotai.
Mr, Groox thought it would be a great mistake to go to the Taotai for a subscription. He would at once want to collect a tax to make up the amount, Mr. Cowre—Yes—oneequal to double the amount contributed, as in the case of the Wharfage Due commutation in the English settlement.
The Cuarmwaw added that, if the Taotai contributed, he would think' himself entitied to demand the aid of the Fire Brigade in thie case of fire in the city.
This concluded the discussion; Mr. Cowie thanked the Council for the explanation sonably framed and. at the same time he of the Budget, which appeared to be rea-
expressed the appreciation which he thought was generally entertained, of th order of the streets, and of the settlement.
The meeting then broke up.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.