GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2900, 12 July 1882, Page 3

GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

A meeting of the Geraldine County Council was held in the Chamber, Maclean and Stewart’s Buildings to-day. Present—Mr 0. G. Tripp (chairman), Messrs Hendelson, McKerrow, TaU hot, Sherratt and Clulee. CORRESPONDENCE. The following correspondence was received: . Prom the Geraldine Road Board, notifying the Board’s intention to strike a rate. Prom the Colonial Secretary re the Council’s determination to obtain information as to grain statistics, and asking how it was proposed to carry out such determination. Prom the Levels Bead Board, declining to assist in building a stock bridge over the River Opihi. Prom the Department of Justice (circular 82-1133), asking for returns of cost of carrying out the “Licensing Act, 1881.. Prom Mr C.B, Sherratt (for Mrs Brown) re custody of a little boy (Bloomfield) whose mother was dead and,father missing, asking tbe Council to arrange for his reception into an orphanage. The matter was referred to Inspector* Pender to report upon. HARBOR BOARD BILL.

The Timaru Harbor Board Bill, now before Parliament was discussed at considerable length, members being much divided as to the number of members of which the Board should be composed.

It wasjmoved by Mr McKerrow, seconded by Mr Mendelson, and carried : “ That as there are 426 ratepayers in ths Borough of Timaru, and 2488 in the County of Geraldine and in the Waimate County, it appears to the Geraldine-County Council only fair that the Borough of Timaru should be represented by. two members, the Level s by two ; Temuka, Geraldine, Mount Cook, and Mount Peel by one each; the County of Waimate by one, and the Borough of Waimate by one, making altogether 11 members.” , , , _- Moved by Mr Clulee, seconded by Mr Mendelson, and carried: “ That this Council is of opinion that the qualification of a county elector be sufficient qualification for election to the Timaru Harbor B° ar d.” , . , ~ Moved by Mr Talbot, seconded by Mr McKerrow,and carried ; “.This Council is of opinion that clause 8 of the Bill should be amended by striking out that portion which limits the voting power to one vote, and the County Council qualification to be used.” The Council ordered a copy of the foregoing to be forwarded to the Hons, the Colonial Secretary, and Mr Rolleston, and several members of the Lower_ House of Representatives also to the various Road Boards, the Borough and County Councils of, Waimate. Moved by Mr Clulee, seconded by Mr McKerrow, and carried : “ Seeing that portions of Waimate County are seeking to be excluded from the boundaries of the Timaru Harbor District, this Council recommends that the. lines as mentioned in the draft Bill be adhered to.” A communication was received from the Timaru Harbor Board respecting the proposed loan for harbor purposes, asking the Council’s • co-operation in securing the assent'of the ratepayers. From the same, respecting the necessary meeting in each riding for taking the poll, of ratepayers to loan proposed, and asking the Council to .nominate, a returning officer. > TIMARU HIGH SCHOOL BILL.

Mr Sutter’s Bill was then discussed, and Mr Mendelson took exception to the alteration of the hours of opening school, and animadverted in strong terms upon the conduct of Mr Le Cren', who had, by ignoring the country pupils’ convenience, forfeited all claim' to re-election as a member of the High School Board, Mr Clulee thought the present coustitu;tion of the Board was not to be found fault with. Mr Talbot said the Board themselves, doubtless like.the Harbor Board, would be of Mr Clulee’s opinion; but the question was, did the public regard them in the same light 1 _ Mr McKerrow agreed with Mr Talbot, and disagreed iii toto with the opinion of Mr Clulee. The Board wanted remodelling. ’ : Mr Clulee thought highly-educated men were required to act on a High School Board.

Mr McKerrow thought education was wanted everywhere—quite as much at that Council table as anywhere else, considering the intricate Acts they were called upon to unravel. Moved by Mr Mendelson, seconded by Mr McKerrow and carried—“ That the Timaru High School to consist of seven members, every ratepayable to be eligible, viz., Timaru, 3, Geraldine County, 2. Waimate, 2.” Mr McKerrow agreed with Mr Talbot, and a resolution, asking that Canterbury should not be proclaimed, was proposed, but the Chairman refused to put it, and jumped up and left the Chair. ‘ THE RABBIT NUISANCE, c Mr Talbot pointed out that an attempt Was being made to declare the whole of Canterbury an infested district under the Rabbit Act. This should not be allowed. A sub-committee, was , appointed to enquire into railway charge. Several accounts were passed, and the Council adjourned.