GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 302, 9 October 1880, Page 2

GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

An ordinary meeting of the Geraldine County Council was h Id yesterday. Present—Mr C. G. Tripp (Chairman), A. Wilson, G. P. Ciulee, T. Hardcac-tle, J Mandelson, H. J. Sealey, and E. Aeton. MINUTES. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. CORRESPONDENCE. Several letters were read concerning a bridge or ferry reserve of 1200 acres at the Rangitata traffic bridge. Mr J. Watkins desired to lease a portion of the reserve, but the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Christchurch, objected to let a portion. Mr Hamersley waited on the Council on behalf of Mr Watkins, who was under the impression that the Council had now control of the reserve. This, Mr Hamersley was informed, was not the case. It was suggested by Mr Meudelson that a committee should be appointed to confer with Mr Wakefield, member for the district, on the question of the steps to be taken to obtain control of the reserve, so that reveue could be obtained for the maintenance of the bridge. Messrs Sealy, Ciulee, and Acton were appointed accordingly to take what action they deemed desirable in the matter. A letter was read from the Mount Pee] Road Board, requesting the Council to direct which-Board—the Mount Peel or Geraldine—should have control of the boundary road from the Rangitata Bridge to section 3022. The CierK was instructed to take steps to give effect to the desire of the Board to have the direction made. A letter was read from Mr J. Mundell, Geraldine, asking the Council if they could afford relief to an indigent woman in Geraldine. It being known to members of the Council that the person in question had step-sons in Timaru in a position to support her, no section was taken in the matter. SL AUG HTERHOUS ES. The report of tlie inspector of Slaughterhouses was read, and two or three applications for licenses were dealt with. TRAVELLING EXPENSES. Proposed by Mr Ciulee, second by Mr Sealy, and carried—“ That the amount of 15s incurred by Mr. Hardenstle in attending the meetings of the Council be paid to him. The same to apply to expenses of Mr Tripp.” Mr Tripp stated that he had received a cheque for three guineas for last six months attendances, but the Council not being in

funds he had torn up the cheque, thanking the (’quncil all the same

M> Acton, who had now come into the room, said that as the Council was now in funds, Mr Tripp should be asked to reconsider his decision, and another cheque be sent him. BRIDGES. A telegram was received from the Minister of Public Works in reply to one sent to him re conversion of Opihi railway bridge. Mr Oliver stated that he was awaiting a report on the bridge by the Engineer.

Proposed by Mr Sealy, seconded by *Mr Acton, and carried unanimously—That the sum of £4OOO, being part of the credit balance now' lying in the Bank of New Zealand, be set aside to a special account towards the expense of constructing a new bridge over the Opihi river.”

Mr Wilson said there was no likelihood of the railway bridge being made available for ordinary traffic. It was too narrow at present, and if added to, its great length would make the addition more expensive than a bridge on the nad line. He sugguated|lhat the original proposal—that the Temuka Road Board should construct the bridge—should be reverted to. It was most desirable to take advantage of the present favorable time for getting the work done.

Mr Acton thought it would be desirable to adopt the cheapest method of securing a safe crossing. If the railway bridge were converted it would not be used except during floods, and would not be really wanted except at such times. Proposed by Mr Mendelson, seconded by Mr Wilson and carried—“ That the Tetmika Road Hoard be requested to furnish this Council with any p’ans and specifications they may have of the proposed Opihi bridge.” The Chairman and Mr Hardcastle spoke highly in favor of the weir crossing made by Mr Sheira over tlie Waihi river near Woodbury, Mr Sealy said he had been to sea that crossing, and though he thought it an excellent crossing for a small stream, he did not think it would answer for large ones.

a letter was read from the Wailaki County Council, enclosing the Engineer’s report upon a proposed bridge over the Oh on river. The import stated that the width of the river at the site chosen was 127 feet. The cost of a suspension bridge suitable for foot and horse traffic, but not dray traffic, was estimated at £2BO ; a suspension bridge for dray traffic at £BSO, and truss bridge for dray traffic £960. The dray bridge was much to be preferred.

A short discussion took place, the general opinion being that a footbridge would be of very little use. It was resolved to send the letter and report to the Mount Cook Road Board, with a request that the Board would allow their Engineer to re* port on the probable cost of a traffic bridge over the river.

After the Council had adjourned, the Secretary received the following telegram from the Under-Secretary for Public Works on the subject of the conversion of tyre Opihi b-iidge :

“ The Hon Minister for Public Works directs me to reply re Opihi bridge, auu state that Government regret they cannot accede to the request of the Geraldine County Council to convert the present railway bridge into a combined bridge. The matter has been carefully considered. The insufficient width and the length of the bridge renders it almost impracticable to allow* of qaj't traffic without great dan ger. The combined bridges already in existence are a constant source of anxiety in working the traffic. Moreover, the cost of conversion would amount to a sum almost. sufficient to construct a bridge for a cart and passenger traffic only. A fuller reply will be sent by letter.” rangitata perry The Council being now in funds, it was resolved to contribute £4O a year, the amount hitherto given by the Temuka and Geraldine Road Boards, to subsidise the Lower Rangitata ferry, TIMARP HOSPITAL. Proposed by Mr Ciulee, seconded by Mr Wilson, and carried —“ That Messrs Men delson, Sealy, and Aclon be appointed a Committee to confer with the Borough Council of Timaru in reference to the management of the Timaru Hospital and charitable aid.” FINANCIAL. Letters were read from the Colonial Treasury, informing the Council that the sum of £3609, being 20 per cent of land fund receipts for four mouths ended July, had been paid to the credit of the Council. Also that a sum of LSBO 10s, receipts from license, auctioneers’, and other fees, with in the County, had been placed to the Councils, credit. Proposed by Mr Ciulee. seconded by Mr Wilson, and carried—" That in refer ence to various amounts received from the Paymaster-General unaccompanied by explanation of the source of the said amounts, he be requested to furnish in. formation respecting the said items.’ Proposed by Mr Sealey seconded by Mr Mendelson, and carried unanimously — eer Fhat the thanks of this Council be given to IVfr Wakefield, M.H.R., for his successful efforts to obtain the share of land fund due from Government. The balance sheet of the Council’s account for the period of six months, ended

September 30th, prepared by the Treasurer Mr Clulee, was read and approved, and a vote of thanks unanimously passed to Mr Clulee for the trouble he had taken.

The expenditure account was as follows; —Stationary and pr.nting, £92 10s XOd ; County Road Board Rolls, L 22 Is 5 salaries account, 1|176 ICa miscellaneous. L 46 3s 7d ; interest account, E2 6s XOd ; total, L 339 12s 3d. The receipt account was. as follows;—Slaughterhouse licenses, 1409 XOs ; do, books of returns, L 3 2s ; do, fees, 4s 7d ; dog tax account, L 348 Is 6d ; received from Government, L36X5 8s 3d ; auctioneers’ and other license fees L 593 5s ; total, L 4670 Xs 6d. Balance in hand, L 4330 9s 3d.

Accounts amounting to Lll 16a 8d were passed for payment, and the Council adjourned to November 2nd.