GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2787, 28 February 1882, Page 2

GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

A meeting of the Geraldine County Council was held to-day. Present— Mr C. G. Tripp (chairman), Messrs Clulee, Mendelson, Moody, Sherratt, Talbot, and the Secretary. BANGITATA BRIDGE., Three letters were read from the Ashburton County Council with reference to the Hangitata traffic bridge, stating that all the piles for the extension of the bridge had been successfully driven, except half a dozen that required “ adjusting.” The Ashburton Council, having proved that the plan adopted (of solid iron piles) was an efficient one under the circumstances, though its suitability had been so strongly doubted by the Geraldine Council, now invited the co-operation of this Council in the farther prosecution of the work. They had no other wish than that unanimity should prevail upon the subject, as the work was of equal importance to both Councils. There were several questions yet to be settled in connection with the extension, the chief being the kind of superstructure to be adopted, and the Geraldine Council were now invited to reconsider their decision to have nothing to do with the work, and take part in its further prosecution. The letters also referred to the advisability of, or neces sity for, re-planking the older structure, which would cost some £I2OO. With reference to one passage in the correspondence, Mr Moody asked whether the words “ Now that no doubt can any longer exist on that part of the plans ” (referring to the iron piles) meant that the plan had been a success or a failure.

Mr Clulee said, evidently, in their view, it had been a success. Mr Mendelson moved—“ That. the Geraldine County Council are surprised at being consulted by the Ashburton County Council upon the superstructure of the addition to the Rangitata traffic bridge, considering that the Ashburton County Council have been at work at the said bridge since the 6th of July last, knowing that the adoption of the pile design has been against the recommendation of all the engineers that have reported on the design, as the most unsuitable structure to erect, and against the unanimous wish of the Geraldine County Council. Before the work was proceeded with by the Ash burton County Council a deputation from the Geraldine County Council waited upon them, on the 6th of April, 1881, and suggested that the plans should be referred to an engineer of note, and if the pile design was disapproved of, the Geraldine County Council were then the piles should be sold, and any loss incurred be borne by both Councils. This the Ashburton County Council refused. The Geraldine County Council have from first to last distinctly stated that the iron pile design is totally unsuitable.” Mr Clulee said the motion did not repudiate any liability in respect to the work.

The Chairman considered that it implied it. Mr Clulee proposed a briefer motion, distinctly repudiating _ any liability. He did not see. any use in recapitulating the whole history of the business in a resolution, The whole thing was known all over the district as well as the alphabet. They should take up a position and state it emphatically, and nothing more than such a statement was required in the resolution. Mr Moody thought it would be better to bring the whole matter before the public again, as would be done by Mr Mendelson’s motion.

Mr Mendelson certainly desired to convey to the Ashburton Council that this Council did not hold itself liable for any expenditure. But if the work proved successful and not too costly, he would be inclined to say the Council should pay a share of the cost, Mr Moody said they might have to fight the matter elsewhere, and at present should take a decided stand. They might be asked to pay half the cost of a bridge costing £IO,OOO, when a good and substantial one could have been built for half the money.

Mr Cluee also spoke in favor of giving a decided answer, and at his suggestion Mr Mendelson added the following words to his “ And seeing that we have had no voice in the present structure, the Council decline to entertain any responsibility in connection with the present work.” The motion as amended was seconded by Mr Moody and carried unanimously. HOSPITAL MAINTENANCE. A long discussion took place on the maintenance of the Timaru Hospital,and the source of funds at present devoted to that purpose. A Committee consisting of Messrs Clulee, Moody and McKerrow were appointed ac the' last meeting to obtain information and make suggestions. Among the information obtained was the following return of the patients admitted into the Hospitals during the year 1881 : From unknown places (including 7 sailors) 47, Levels district... ... ... 82 Borough of Timaru 41 Geraldine district 19 Mount Cook district 19 Temuka 18 Waimate ... 14 Mount Peel ... 13 Christchurch 10 Dunedin 8 Camara 6 Ashburton ... 3 Total 280 Mr Moody stated that the Com miltee had found that the subsidies had been retained from the various Road Boards that had struck rates, and on account of such rates ought to have received the subsidies, leaving other Boards which struck no rates, free. They found that the cost of the Hospital on the average of the last three years was equal to the amount of a rate of 3d in the £ over the whole County, yet the Levels and Temuka Road districts, and the Borough of Timaru had to bear the whole cost, the Mount Cook, Geraldine, and Mount Peel Districts escaping. It appeared that the rich districts got off free, while those that were poor, and had to strike rates had to contribute to the support of the Hospital. Mr Mendelson remarked that tho subsidies did not belong to the Road Board, but tho Council.

Mr Moody said it was due to the rating of the two Boards that the subsidies were granted. Mr Mendelson expounded the Acts bearing on the question at considerable length, urging that' the Government were in error in making some of their claims on the Council on account of hospital maintenance. He considered also that there was a good proportion of patients could and should pay for their treatment.

Mr Clulee moved, Mr Sherratt seconded—“ That the attention of the various Hoad Boards of this County he brought to the fact that at present the whole cost of maintenance of Hospitals, and Charitable Aid &c., is borne from' and derived from subsidies in consequence of rates received . from the Levels and Temuka Hoad Boards, and that this being unfair this Council would respectfully suggest that each Board district strike a rate, such rate to be proportionate to the number of patients contributed from each district.”

Mr Moody moved and Mr Talbpt seconded an amendment to the effect that the last fourteen words be omitted, and this was carried by the. casting vote of the Chairman. An official notification ot the Chairman’s appointment to be a member of the Timaru Hospital Board was read. OPXIII SHEEP BRIDGE. A letter was read from the Mount Peel Road Board, giving some particulars of the sheep bridge they wish to erect over the Opihi. It would be 645 feet long and the estimated cost was £6OO. The Board had written to the Levels Board, asking them'to co-operate in the construction of the bridge, but they declined on the ground of want of funds. The: Mount Peel Board therefore now asked the County Council to carry out the work. - : : *• Mr Mendelson reminded the Council that they had promised to take the Ohott; bridge in hand as soon as they' had funds to spare, next after the Rangitata bridge.

It was resolved to recommend . the Mount Peel Board to make fresh overtures to the Levels Board, requesting; them to bear some smaller share of the’ cost than half, when they might agree to co operate, the Council not having any funds to proceed with the work. SLAUGHTERHOUSES., . r A report by the Inspector, Mr Stubbs, on slaughterhouses in the district was read. The report stated that in moat cases the premises were cleanly. In some instances he found boarded or; battened floors in use, with deficient water supplies. He recommended the use of concrete floors, as being more easily kept clean. A Committee appointed to consider the question of slaughterhouse inspection submitted a report recommending that the duties of Inspector be as defined by the Act; that .the salary be £SO per annum ; and that visits of inspection be arranged from time to time by the. Council, the Inspector not to be required to make more than three visits in any year. A resolution was passed adopting the report and offering the post to Mr Stubbs, who agreed.to take it. miscellaneous. An application was received from thb l Clerk to the Temuka Licensing Com-* mittee, asking the Council to supply , the Committee with copies of the' Licensing Act. Mr Clulee movee, and Mr Mendelson seconded That copies be supplied on payment of the cost.” A communication was received from the Southland County , Council asking the co-operation of this Council in an endeavor ; to obtain the restoration of subsidies and other lost county revenues. ACCOUNTS. , Accounts to the amount of £4l 4s 9d were passed for payment. The Secre-j tary stated that there was now £l4B to' the credit of the Council, ' ;J notice of motion. Mr Clulee gave notice that at next meeting he would move—“ That thib* meeting now adjourn until the Chairmanshall consider there is some business to transact of a nature sufficiently important to convene a meeting of the Council." The Council then adjourned itill April 5.