GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LVI, Issue 6495, 21 December 1881, Page 6

GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

A meeting of thi» Council vu held on Tuesday, Dee. 20, at the Council Chamber, Timaru j present,—Mr C. 0. Tripp (Chairman), Mean J. Talbot, 0. F. Glides, A. Shemstt, W. Moody, J. Mend ebon, and J. 0, M’Korrow. COBIIMPOJIUKSCB. The following waa read ; Two letter* from the Colonial Secretary'* Office, re subsidies. The Council had written to oak when the subsidies payable to them for the year might be expected, to which a reply had been received that the cost of Hospital and Charitable Aid, chargeable against the amount due for subsidies was in excess of the amount duo to the Council for subsidies—leaving out of consideration the Gounod’s share of the land fund (rent of runs, Ac.,) of the County. Some conversation took place respecting the Council's right in the management of the Timaru Hospital, since this body had to contribute so largely towards its maintenance from their general fund*. Mr Moody spoke in favour of an alteration in the constitution of the managing body. He would like to see a Committee of a dozen at least, appointed—some by the Borough Council and some by ibis Council. At present the management was fixed la the hands of five persons, too small a number. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Clulee—"That the Colonial decretory bo respectfully requested to provide some means by which this Council may be represented in the general management of the Timaru Hospital, such representation to be in proportion to the share contributed by this Council towards the expense of that institution." From Mr Burge**, one of the DeputyRegistrar* of Dogs, stating that he had lost five collar* while riding round looking for unregistered dogs, and asking the Council wholHer he would be required to pay for them, , , It was decided that Mr Burgess be asked to supply the number* of the collars lost. From the Public Work* department, stating that after full consideration of all the circumstances the Oovsrnmetit had came to the -conclusion that (he railway station at FaWie Creek should b* at the Govermnriit township, but that instructions had been given to have a siding put down at the prevent township, and if the traffic demanded it, a 11 tg station would be erected there also 800 TAX. Returns mm r«ad showing that did dog collars were issued during the year, and the amount actually paid in by the colled or* was £ll2l 12* Sd, but the return wa* not yet completesnAnoiiTuftiioossii.

A return wft* rend, showing that iJI slaughtering licenses at £& each) and 1S at C» each hod Ueo n Issued during the year, The expenditure in tide department had been in nun of receipt. , . , A long, desultory discussion took place concerning interpretation of Clause i!7 of the Slaughterhouse* Act. os roiard# the right of persons to kill for their own use. The clause wm voted "ambiguous, nonsensical, icootn* plete.” Mr Moody thought the expense of mspec* tloo woe too great (or llio present state of settlement in the district. The bene (its derited from it did not seem commensurate with ite cost. Be would suggest that the office be discontinued, at any rate on its present foot* i&|i« A discussion then took place upon the license fees charged, a strong desire being

manifested to relieve country saltiers who killed some stock, hut yet did not carry on the regulsr trade of a&,er. „ j Mr MsndeUon moved, and Mr Moody seconded a resolution (o reduce the fee for the present £2 license* to 10* 6d, a* a mcaiure of relief to country lettlere. Oorriod. An amendment, moved by Mr Olulee, to appoint a Committee to farther consider the matter, wa* lost. It was also retired, on the motion of Mr Msndelson, seconded by Mr Moody—" Dial Mr Durham be informed that this Council will not require hi* service* after Dee. 81, tha revenue derived from the issue of license# not warranting the outlay." tiMAtttr mmt aoitoom Mr F, LcOrrn was chosen to represent thU Council on the Board of Gororoor# of tho Timara High Hchcol. JIAKUtfATA MMIIKJR. The Chairman said ho had seen a gentleman who recently crossed the Eangiteto at the traffic bridge, who wa* of opinion that the bridge could not bo well completed, as the piles were not being put down straight. Ho (the Chairman) suggested that the Council sbould make an offer to the Government to pay the whole cost of obtaining tbs report of a Government engineer on the work, a* the Ashburton Council refused to pay half. The suggestion mot with little favour, most of the members expressing the opinion that the Ashburton Council should be allowed to go on with the work in peace now that they had gone so far. A suggestion that the Council should visit the bridge and see ior themselves what was being done, wa* bolter received, but no resolution was passed. ACCOUNTS. Account* amounting to £O6 3s Od were passed for payment, and the Council adjourned to Jan. 24 nest.