GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2819, 6 April 1882, Page 2

GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

A meeting of the Geraldine County Council was held yesterday. Present — Mr C. -G. Tripp (chairman), Messrs Clulee, Mendelson, Moody, Sherratt, McKerrow, Talbot, and the Secretary. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. HOSPITAL BUSINESS.' The Chairman stated that he would bo unable to serve on the hospital commission. Ho had notified the Government of this, and Government in reply had released him and advised him that the Council might nominate some other member of the Council. REGISTRATION OF HOGS. : It was stated that the number of unregistered dogs at large, in the Mount Peel district particularly, was excessive. It was thereupon resolved, on the motion of Mr Talbot seconded by Mr Sherratt; —“ That tho different dog registrars be written to informing them that - the. Council are of opinion that there are a large number of dogs still unregistered, and requesting them to take steps to have the provisions of the Act complied with.” REDECKING OP THE RANGITATA BRIDGE. The chairman referred to the highly dangerous condition of the bridge, the planks being quite rotten. Two Road Board overseers had consulted and their: joint report was now before the Council.! It was as follows : “We have made an inspection of the deck of the cylinder bridge at the Rangitata, and beg to report as follows;' “ The floor of the bridge is in many oases very rotten, and as there are several holes in the deck large enough to admit of a horse’s hoof going through, it is at present in a very dangerous state, and ought to be seen to at once, as a serious accident might occur at any time. “ Tho principal causes of the decay of the old deck (which is mostly of black pine) have been the use of sappy timber and placing the planking too dose together. Wherever heart timber has been used the planks are fairly sound ; the sap in every case is rotten. The joists are also decayed to a certain extent through the same cause. The full extent can, however, be only ascertained after the deck has been lifted. They appear, however, to be in a much better stale than the planking,' as most of them are totara.

“ The space between the planks does not admit of dirt and sheep droppings falling .through. This and the drift sand from the riverbed becomes tightly caulked into the interstices between the planks by the action of the sheep’s feet in being forced over the bridge in large numbers. The deck is also liable to bo continually wet with spray thrown up by heavy nor’-westers from the river. All these causes combined, materially tend to hasten the decay of the timber, which is here exposed to a; more severe test than on ordinary road bridges. To guard against this as much as possible we would advise that heart of black birch be used for decking, and that great care he used iu selecting nothing but good timber, also that the pianks should be all in one length and spaced not less than fin apart. , ■ “ Judging by present appearances, it will be a long time befor the new pile bridge is completed.' We should therefore recommend that the old bridge be only repaired at present, as we are of opinion that it would last for two or three years longer, and could have a new top put on when the new structure arrives at that stage of completion. “ To place the deck in a fair state of repair would take 7500 ft o£‘ timber, which can bo obtained at Oxford and delivered on trucks at Rangitata at 20s! per 100 superficial feet. “ We estimate tho cost of doing this' at £127. ’ ; ■ "-A;,:; !

“ Should it be decided to place a new; deck on the bridge full length, we. should advise that new joists of a heavier scantling and placed nearer together be used. . , , “ Tho present joists are only 10 x 4; and have a bearing of 4ft from centre to centre. This is too wide a bearing for carrying traction engines, and besides a joist of 4 inches in width is sure to be split by a continuous row of deck spkes being driven in ; this causes the planks to work loose and hastens decay* as can easily be, seen in the present structure. We are, however, of opinion that the old joists will last out the present decking if repaired as above described.”

A resolution was passed tendering: the two overseers an honorarium.of .four guineas (£4 4s), and a Very animated discussion ensued as to the Council's liability in connection with the restoration of the Bridge, which was terminated by the passing of the following resolution moved by Mr Mendelson, and seconded by Mr Clulee—“ That a copy of Messrs Irvine and Shiers’ report be sent to the Ashburton County Council.” THE BRIDGE OVER THE OPIHI. The Road Boards of Mount Peel and the Levels respectively wrote that they were unable to agree as to which should bear the cost of the bridge. The Council took no action in the matter. SUBSIDIES TO COUNCILS, The Southland County Council asked the co-operation of the Geraldine Council in an effort they intended making to obtain from Government a fair share of land revenue. The Council expressed themselves quite willing to act as requested. MR CLUE EE’s MOTION. Mr Clulee moved, as he had given notice, “ That this meeting now adjourn until the Chairman shall consider there is business to transact of a nature sufficiently important to convene a meeting.” Mr Moody seconded it ; but as only the mover and seconder voted for it the motion was lost.

The Council then adjourned till Wednesday, May 3.