GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2462, 8 February 1881, Page 2

GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary inontlily meeting of the above was held this morning, at the Council Chambers, Maclean and Stewart’s Buildings. Present—Messrs C. G-. Tripp (chairman), and Messrs Wilson, Mendelson, Sealy, Acton, and Clulee. coußEsroxixnNCE. A letter Was read from the Secretary to the Treasury, stating that by direction of the Colonial Treasurer he wrote to inform the Council, in reply to their letter of Jan. 12, with reference to a sum of £l5O paid into the public account by the Timaru Hospital Commissioners, that the sums in respect of the cost of maintaining hospitals to be deducted under “ The Financial Arrangements Act, 1878,” from the subsidies payable to local bodies are determined in the Colonial Secretary’s Department, and the Treasury is informed that the moneys received from patients and paid into the public account are taken into account in determining the amount of such deductions.

Mr Acton thought that the Secretary to the Treasury was only endeavoring to shift the responsibility on to the Colonial Secretary’s department. If they were to follow this matter up, ho thought that they should communicate with the Colonial Secretary forwarding a copy of the letter just read. From the Clerk to Manawatu County Council asking the Council to forward to the Manawatu Council copies of any bye-laws relative to pounds, slaughterhouses, &c., and conduct of business. It was resolved that the request be complied with.

INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTEEHOIJSES EEPOET.

Tue above report was read and stated that the writer bad visited the different slaughterhouses during the last quarter and found them clean and in good order, there being a marked improvement noticeable since his last report was submitted. C. johxson’s application.

Messrs Clulce and Scaly, the SubCommittee appointed to deal ivith C. Johnson’s application for a renewal of his slaughterhouse license, reported having visited the premises, and recommended that the license be grunted on condition of the applicant’s removing the present pig-styes to a southerly direction about 50 yards.DOG KEGISTKATION. Messrs William Close and John Burgess, of Fairlie Creek and Burke’s Pass* respectively, wrote accepting their appointments. deputation. Messrs Walker , and E. G. Wright waited upon the Council as a deputation from the Ashburton County Council rr the liangitata traffic bridge. Mr Walker, Chairman of the Ashburton Council, intimated that when the

extension of the Rangitata bridge was first contemplated by the Government the cost of the undertaking was estimated • at £12,000, and the Ashburton Council, with the idea of preventing a waste-.of money, as they imagined the expenditure of such a sum would be offered to take over the work and complete, it at a cost of something like £OOOO. The Ashburton County bad expended all their available funds amounting to about £2OOO on the work, and they had determined to spend no more money until they consulted this Council. It was proposed to extend the bridge to 800 ft., for which purpose,they had a sufficiency of iron piles. Mr E. G. Wright thought the whole cost of extension would be covered by £OOOO, and were he at liberty to tender would be quite ready to do so at that figure. This was a matter which affected not only Ashburton, but also the Geraldine County and all this part of Canterbury.

Air Acton—lt is not merely a question of funds. It is a question of our responsibility. The Chairman—Uo you then Air Acton question our responsibility ? Mr Acton—lE I could see a'wayof escape I should only be too happy! (Laughter.) In reply to Air Alendelson, Air Wright stated that the Ashburton County Conncil had applied to Government to have half of the cost of building this bridge deducted from the Geraldine County Council’s subsidies, but owing to the Ge'-aMijie Council not being then under the Act, they were unable to obtain what they wanted.

Air Alendelson—Oh, then the Ashburton Council undertook the work on the risk of recovering the Geraldine Council's share of the money?’’ Air Wright—They did so ; thinking that they would have gentlemen to deal with in the members this Council who would take a liberal view of this matter. This was really a question which, of the two, affected the Geraldine County more than it did the Ashburton County. No doubt tbe Road Boards would contribute pro rata towards the cost of the undertaking out of tho liberal means at tbeir disposal.

Mr Mendelson and Mr Acton remarked that the Load Boards had no power to apply their funds to any, such purpose. The Chairman remarked that the Council ought not to throw any obstacle in the way of meeting a just debt, for it undoubtedly was a just debt. Would the Ashburton Council undertake to finish the bridge on the understanding that as soon as this Council was in funds it would repay its share.

The Chairman of the Ashburton Council replied that neither Mr Wright nor himself could give pledges on matters respecting which they had no instructions. He thought, however, that they might say the Ashburton Council would endeavor to meet the wishes of the Geraldine Council so far as laid in its power. The deputation then withdrew, and the Council further discussed the matter, ultimately passing the following resolution, proposed by Mr Acton and seconded by Mr Mendelson — " That this Council desires,an reply to the deputation of the Ashburton Council, to acknowledge its responsibility in reference to the Bangitala Bridge.” It "was then proposed by Mr Sealy, and seconded by Mr Wilson—“ That as this Council has accepted the responsibility of paying half the cost of the Bangitata bridge extension, and whereas the Council has no funds in band available for the purpose the Geraldine and Mount Peel Bond Boards, as representing the districts most interested, bo asked to contribute £IOOO each towards that work, failing which the Council will proceed to strike a rate of (id in the £ for that purpose over the whole county.” The resolution was carried, Mr Clulee alone opposing it. ROLLS. The clerk was instructed to take steps to procure copies of the following rolls— Mount Cook, Geraldine, Temuka, and' Mount Peel. A GOOD JDEAA A discussion arose on Mr Clulee’s notice of motion tabled at last meeting re the substitution of quarterly for monthly meetings of the Council. It was resolved that the future meetings be held quarterly, but in case of business requiring special attention, the Clerk call a special mooting to consider the same, in accordance with clause 7'J of the Counties Act, 1870. It was further resolved that Messrs Sealy, Clulee, Acton, and Mendelson lie appointed a Committee to deal with urgent correspondence, and to call special meetings should occasion require, three to form a quorum. INSTRUCTED TO COLLAR THE DOGS. It was resolved that the persons appointed by the Council in each district to register dogs, be also appointed under the Act to destroy dogs found without collars, and that the clause re ferring to the matter be advertised for public information. ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to £94 2s (5d were passed for payment and the Council adjourned on the understanding that a committee meeting be held on March 8.