GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2872, 8 June 1882, Page 2

GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

A meeting of the Geraldine County Council was held in the Chamber, Maclean and Stewart’s buildings yesterday. Present—Mr C. G. Tripp (chairman), Messrs Mendelson, Moody, McKerrow, Talbot, Sherratt and Clulee. The Secretary, Mr Stubbs, was also present. The minifies of last meeting were read and confirmed. THE GOVERNMENT CIRCULAR, The Government circular sumbitting a series of questions to tho various County Councils of the colony, was gone through seriatim, and an opinion recorded against the majority of the sixteen queries, the consideration of a few being deferred for next meeting. LETTER OF CONGRATULATION. It was resolved—“ That a letter of congratulation should be scut to Sir John Hall, the late Premier of the colonyq on the occasion of the honor of knighthood having been conferred upon him.” THE LICENSING ACT. A letter was read from the Council’s solicitor, giving opinions on various points in connection with the Licensing Act, referred to him from last meeting. The principal point was the question raised at that meeting by Mr Mendelson on . wholesale licenses, and Mr White suggested in his letter that it would perhaps be better for the Council to take a test <?ase into Court. Mr Clulee moved—That a monthly return of expenses in connection with the working of the Licensing Act be placed before the Council, showing amount expended up to each date of meeting. This to include expenses from confinenoement." Mr Sherratt seconded the motion, and it was carried. BYE-LAWS. A printed copy of bye-laws drafted by the Lake County were submitted, and it was resolved to consider them at next meeting of the Council. THE RANGITATA BRIDGE.

A letter was received from the Clerk to the Ashburton County Council on the subject of this bridge, as follows :—“I am instructed by this Council to acknowledge receipt of ytmr letter enclosing copy of report on the deck of the Rangitata Bridge, made by Messrs Shiers tmd Irvine, and in reply to inform j’ou that the following resolution was passed by this Council ;—‘ Resolved the repairs to the decking of the bridge be put in hand at once, and the. above be intimated to the - Geraldine County Council.’ ” After a few further remarks on the subject it was resolved on the motion of Mr Moody,*,seconded by Mr Talbot—- “ That in reply to letter of May 9, from Ashburton, County Council, the Clerk be instructed to reply that «tho Geraldine County Council understand the repairs of the decking of Rangitata Bridge is proceeding on the basis of Shiers and Irvine’s reporL DOG REGISTRATION. The Mount Peel Road Board wrote on this subject, stating that a dog tax collector was never seen in tho Peel Forest and Woodbury districts. 'The Secretary explained that he had been out himself, and had also sent others out at various times, but it was an impossibility to catch everybody. Mr Talbot suggested that tlie electoral roll should bo taken as a basis, and each person should be compelled to furnish a return of the dogs owned by him, in a similar manner as sheep were returned. Messrs Mendelson, Talbot and McKerrow spoke strongly in favor of sheep dogs being exempt from the tax, Mr Mendelson remarking that when a dog did tho work of a man, or several men, intelligently, as sheep dogs did, it was only fair not to tax them. Mr McKerrow proposed and it was carried—“ That in reply to the Mount Peel Road Board’s letter re difficulty in getting in tho dog tax they be allowed to employ what amount of assistance they may require.” STOCKBIUDGE OVER THE OFIHI. The Mount Peel Road Board wrote stating that they were unable to come to any arrangement with tho Levels Road Board respecting tho construction of a stock bridge over the Opihi river, and asking the Council to undertake the work under clause 85 of tho Public Works Act 1876. It was decided on the motion of Mr Talbot, seconded by Mr Sherratt, that tho Con noil are of opinion that tho proposed bridge would bo of public

utility, but would more especially benefit the Mount Peel Board to offer to pay the greater part of the cost. ACCOUNTS. Accounts were passed for payment to the amount of .£47 13s 3d. ADJOUHNMENT. The Council then adjourned until Wednesday, sth July.