GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2592, 12 July 1881, Page 2

GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the above took place to-day, at the Council Chambers, Maclean and Stewart’s Buildings. Present—Messrs G. C. Tripp (Chairman), G. F. Clulee, T. Hardcastle, A. Wilson, E. Acton, and J. Mendelson. LATE SITTING. Owing to there being no quorum in attendance before, the Council did not sit until afternoon to day. COEEEBPONDENCE. From Public Works Office, Welling* ton, re Eangitata traffic bridge, and stating that Mr Blair had not made any report on same. Ee solved to forward copy of letter te Mr Wakefield, M.H.E., asking for Mr Blair’s report re pile driving machine used in the construction of the bridge, which the Council understood is in the Government Buildings, Wellington. From Henry Ford enclosing cheque for £3 15s license fee for imported dogs. From Temuka Eoad Board acknowledging receipt of their letter re payment of £4OOO to credit of the Board on account of Opihi bridge. From Public Works Office, Wellington, acknowledging receipt of the Council’s remonstrance re the Eangitata traffic bridge having been handed over to the Ashburton County Council and stating same would be considered. From Wm, Essery,Temuka, applying for a conditional slaughterhouse license.

The applicant, the Council decided must obtain the Temuka Road Board’s permission in writing. From the Chairman of the Levels Road Board, enquiring as to the exact powers of the Council to issue slaughtering licenses, and whether it was not the Levels Board’s duty to attend to this department of local business. Appended was an application to the Levels Board, for a slaughterhouse by James Sullivan Pleasant Valley.

It was resolved to refer the Levels Board to Section of the Slaughterhouse Act, 1877, and the Amendment Act, 1879, THE RADBIT NUISANCE. The Chairman drew the Council’s attention to the rabbit nuisance, which was, he said, assuming alarming proportions. He read several extracts from “ Hansard ” on the depreciation of property caused by these animals, and further quoted the following statistics of | rabbit skins exported, showing the rapid increase of the plague :—ln 1876, 311.000 skins were exported ; in 1877, 918,000; in 1879, 3,976,000; in 1880, 5.584.000 ; and in 1881, 7,505,000. The Chairman then drew attention to the clause in the Rabbit Act threatening pains and penalties for liberating rabbits. INTERESTING TO AUCTIONEERS. It was resolved that the Council should communicate with Government in order to see whether auctioneers could notbe compelled to give purchasers of cattle the brands of same at stock salefc.

accounts. Accounts amounting to £lB 2s were passed for payment. adjournment. The Council then adjourned to August 9.