GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2616, 9 August 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, J. Mendelson, and H. J. Sealey, CORRESPONDENCE. Was read from Ashburton County Council staling that Mr David Jackson's .appointment as ferryman at the Rangitata would shortly expire, and asking whether the Council would consent to his re-appoint-ment on the same terms as formerly. The Chairman notified having replied in the affirmative, and the Council endorsed his action.

From Christchurch Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, forwarding returns of receipts and expenditure for the year ending Juno 30,1881. From the Treasury, Wellington, referring to Council’s letter of Juno 16, applying for payment to the County Fund of £SO, amount of a fine imposed at R.M. Court Temuka in Feb. 1881 for sly grog selling, and asking to be supplied with returns of fees and fines received at Timaru, Temuka, and Geraldine R.M. Courts since Dec. 1879. In reply the letter stated that the fine in question was the revenue of tho colony, as it was inflicted under the Licensing Ordinance Act and not under the Counties Act. With regard to the desired returns, the letter added that the Treasury had no information respecting them except about such fines and fees as were payable to local bodies, monthly returns of which were received by the Treasury, upon which payments were immediately made to local bodies concerned. From Geraldine Road Beard stating that it was now called upon to form and make roads in the Orari township, and asking the Council to apply to Government for percentage of proceeds in making such roads in order to recoup tl « Board the necessary outlay. It was moved by Mr Scaly, seconded by Mr Hardcastle and carried—“ That in consideration of the very large sum realised by the Government for sale of the Orari reserves, this Council recommends that the Geraldine Road Board apply to the Government for a percentage of the proceeds to be expended in making roads through reserves an-1 this Council endorses such application.” From Public Works Office, Wellington, in reply to Council’s letter with reference to control of the Rangitata road bridge, and stating that the bridge having been placed under the control of tho Ashburton county the Government could not see its way to interfere further in the matter.

Appended was a statement of expenses incurred in connection with the I bridge, in which the Geraldine Council’s moiety was set down at £lO6 Isod. From Mr Edward Wakefield, M.H.K., enclosing letter from Public Works Department replying to a letter of his protesting against any further expenditure in driving iron piles at the Kangitata bridge. Mr Wakefield understood that the Government could not now interfere in the matter. The loss connected with driving the last iron pile was about £76 and the writer thought further experiments of the kind would lead to the conversion of the Ashburton Council to the cylinder design. Some discussion followed on the bridge, when Mr Acton moved and Mr Menrlelson seconded the following resolution, which was carried—“ That in the opinion of this Council the course adopted by the Ashburton Council in proceeding with the attempt to extend the Kangitata traffic bridge by day labor is clearly illegal, being opposed to section 12 of the Public Works Act, and also sections 172 and 173 of the Counties Act, 1876 ; and that the attention of the Hon Minister for Public Works bo respectfully directed to this extravagant, illegal, and dangerous proceeding. The Geraldine Council feel sure that this was not the intention of the Hon Minister for Public Works, and respectfully urge his interference in this matter ; also requesting his attention to section 9 Public Works Amendment Act, 1879.” '

A long discussion ensued on the resting of the Kangitata bridge in the Ashburton county, when Mr Acton moved, Mr Clulee seconded and it was carried“ That a letter be wrifen to the Hon. Minister for Public Works, explaining that the Geraldine Council declined the proposal made by tho Hon. the Minister for Public Works, under date April 29, 1881, that further experiments should be made in driving solid iron piles in the Kangitata river bed, not merely from a firm belief, since fully confirmed, in the uselessness of such further experiments, but also through the erroneous impression conveyed to them on February 8, 1881, from tho Ashburton Council that the control of tho work was at that dale vested in the Ashburton Council.”

A WISE PRECAUTION. Mr Sealy moved—“ That this Council appoint a committee to frame a series of by-laws for the regulation and inspection of dairies supplying milk for the public use within the county, such committee to consist of Messrs Acton, Clulee, and the inovi r.’’ The resolution was seconded by Mr Wilson and carried. S L AU G lITE RIXG L I. C E X SE S. Were granted to Mr McKay, Pleasant Point, and Mr G. Geddes, Tiuiarn, After passing some accounts, the Council adjourned.