GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2497, 22 March 1881, Page 2

GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

A special meeting of the above Council was held to-day. Present— Messrs Tripp (Chairman), Hardcastle, Wilson, Clulee, Acton, and Mendelson. The Chairman said that the special meeting was called on account of an expression by the ratepayers that the entrusting of important business to a sub-committee instead of havingmonthly meetings was objectionable. The meeting was convened to consider the desirability or otherwise of rescinding the resolution previously passed on the subject of the Rangitata Bridge. He had written to the Chairman of the Ashburton County Council asking that the construction of the bridge by driving additional piles be deferred. Mr Acton said it was evidently admitted that the substitution of quarterly meetings for monthly meetings was a mistake. He moved—“ That the resolution passed on Feb. 8, fixing quarterly instead of monthly meetings, be rescinded.” Mr Wilson said that the resolution was passed with a view to avoid unnecessary inconvenience, but on reflection he thought it might be as well to return to the old system. Mr Mendelson seconded the resolution, wllich. w?s carried. . It was also resolved—“ That the standing Committee appointed at the meeting of Feb. 8 be now discharged." THE RANGITATA BRIDGE. The Chairman said the next business was to reconsider the Rangitata bridge question. The Ashburton County Council hud taken the somewhat unwise and premature step of resuming the construction of the bridge by day labor. This he disagreed with, because under any circumstances tenders should have been called for the work, and before any decided step was taken the Geraldine Council should have been consulted rc plans, &c. Mr. Acton wished to know whether the Mount Peel grant was contingent on £IOOO being voted by the Geraldine Road Board, or on £SOO being granted by the Board. He did not know that they would be justified in acceding to the demand in the second part of the resolution of the Road Board that a rate of Gd should be struck all over the county. The Chairman stated that the Geraldine Road Board had agreed to vote £SOO towards the bridge, but only on condition that it should be constructed with cylinders. The Temuka, Levels and Geraldine Boards had expended large sums on bridges, but the Mount Peel Board had spent but little in that way, and they might justly be expected to contribute handsomely towards the bridge. Mr Mendelson said the question resolved itself to this—could they denend upon receiving £IOOO from the Mount Peel Road Board and £SOO from the Geraldine Road Board towards thebridge. It they could he had no doubt they would be able to contribute the County’s proportion towards the construction of the bridge without resorting to a county rate.

The following correspondence on the subject was then read

From the Mount Peel Eoad Board enclosing the following resolution — “ That the. Mount Peel Eoad Board give £IOOO towards the extension of the Eangitata traffic bridge as the Geraldine Board has promised £SOO provided that the bridge is carried out on the cylinder system, and that they are in favor of a rate being struck by the County of Geraldine to cover the extra expense.” " Public Works Office, “ Wellington, Dec. 17,1880. “ The Chairman Ashburton County Council,

“ Sir, —With reference to the correspondence that has taken place relative to the works connected with the extension of the Rangitata traffic bridge, I am now directed to inform you that as the circumstances under which the Government was directed to undertake the work are now no longer in existence—it is thought probable the County may wish to resume the direction. The Ashburton County Council required the Government to take in hand the works at a time when owing to the Counties’ Act not being in full operation in the adjoining County of Geraldine, a moity of the expense could not be recovered therefrom. As, however, the Counties’ Act has now been brought into full force in the County of Geraldine the Government think it probable the bounty Council of Ashburton may desire to resume the control of the work, and will be obliged by your informing them of its wishes in the matter. “ John Knowles, “ Under Secretary. It was decided that the following telegram sent on March 8 by direction of the Standing Committee of the Council be approved : —“ The Chairman Ashburton County Council.—The resolution of Feb, 8 accepting responsibility re the Eangitata bridge can only be relied on if the plans are submitted to and approved by the Council.” A long discussion took place on the subject of the extension of the Eangitata bridge on cylinders instead of iron piles, but no decision was arrived at.

The following resolution was carried unanimously—“ That the following members of the Council be a committee to confer with the Ashburton County Council regarding the extension of the Eangitata bridge, viz., Messrs Mendelson, Acton, Clulee, and the Chairman.

A letter was read from the Temuka Eoad Board on the subject of the Opihi bridge. It stated that the Board had accepted the tender of Messrs Thomas and Hill at £521110s 6d. A letter was read from the Government stating that on Mr Eolleston’s return from Canterbury the question of handing over a number of public reserves to the Council would be considered.

From the Mount Peel Eoad Board, asking the support of the Council in protesting against the alteration of the of the name of the Kailway Station and Post Office on the South side of the Rangitata river from “ Rangitata South” to “ Woodbridge” as there were other names, in the district nearly corresponding", viz : —Woodside, Woodnry, Woodend &c., which would certainly lead to mistakes, and inconvenience.

It was resolved on the motion of Mr Acton—“ That the Clerk be requested to write to the Postmaster-General, expressing the opinion of this Council that the proposed change in name of South Eangitata to Woodbridge is undesirable and from the prior existence of similar names in the same neighborhood is sure to cause error and delay, and that it would therefore be wise to retain the previous name.” The report of the Inspector of Slaughterhouses pointed out that there was an offensive smell produced by the boiling-down work at Temuka. It was decided on the motion of Mr Acton

Mendelson be requested to visit the premises of Mr Boyd Thomson, near Temuka, and that the Inspector of Slaughterhouses be requested to attend and act in accordance with instructions to be issued by Messrs Wilson and Mendelson.”

A circular of a voluminous character was read from the Manawatu County Council, giving numerous reasons why the Government should continue granting subsidies to County Councils, and asking the co-operation of the Geraldine County Council. Slaughterhouse licenses were granted to E. Richardson and Goodwin Bros. The Chairman asked if the committee appointed some time ago to draw up bye-laws for regulating pedlars and hawkers had met. Mr Clulee said the committee had not yet met.

The Chairman said he thought the committee should produce their report at next meeting. It was most unfair to tradesmen in towns that pedlars and hawkers should be allowed to sell goods in all parts of the country without paying a license. Mr Fred. Shrimpton was appointed Registrar of Dogs for the Levels district, and the office of the Council in Timaru was appointed as the office at which Mr Shrimpton should attend to register dogs. Mr Mendelson pointed out that certain minor alterations to the plan of the Opihi bridge would have to be made, and ho had promised the Chairman of the Temuka Road Board that he would speak to the Council on the subject.

The Council decided to leave - the whole matter in the hands of the Temuka Road Board, as they had full confidence in the Board’s ability to carry out the work. Accounts amounting to £67 16s 8d were passed for payment and the Council adjourned.