GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1133, 11 August 1883, Page 3

GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

The usual monthly meeting of the Geraldine County Council was held last Wednesday. It was resolved—" That the Members for South Canterbury, Messrs Sutter, Turnbull and Postlethwaite, be requested to urge the passing of the Counties Amendment Act this session, as a year would be lost in organising an irrigation supply, which is much needed in parts of this County, if the amendment does not pass this session." The Chairman read a letter from the solicitor of the Ashburton County Council threatening that legal proceedings would bn taken if half the cost of the Rangitata Bridge were not paid within fourteen days. The chairman suggested to rescind the resolution passed at last meeting and made a motion to that effect. Along discussion took place, in the course of which Mr Moody said that as disputes between governing bodies were generally settled by Government he should like to make the proposal to the Ashburton County Council that they ask Government to appoint someone to settle this d ispute. If the Ashburton County Council wanted to go to law about it, this Council should not hird-r them. The case could not come on before the December sitting, and by that time the bridge would have been well tested by floods. He did not feel inclined to rescind his former resolution, and would therefore vote against the one before the Council. The motion however was agreed to. It was decided that Messrs Tiripp,

Mcßerrow and Talbot form a deputation to wait on the Ashbnrtoti Council and explain to that body the position taken up by this Council in the matter-of the Eangitaia Bridge question. Also, that the Gereldiue and Mount Peel Road Boards be asked that in the event of the Geraldiue County Council having to pay one-half of the cost of the Rsmgitata Bridge extension, will they be prepared to contribute £IOOO each out of their ordinary fund, as, failing the contribution being made, this Council wdl consider the question of levying a special rate on their district. Mr Paterson gave notice of motion as follows :—"That a rate of £d in the £1 be struck to defray half the cost of the ltangitnta Bridge." A telegram was received from the Assistant Under-Secretary for Public Works, stating that the Opihi bridge could only be considered under section 35 of the Roads and Bridges Construction Act which provided for the whole amount to be repaid, as in the case of district roads. It was resolved—" That the Government be informed that this Council are prepared to amend its application for aid under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act in the direction pointed out by the Under-Secretary for Public Works, vide telegram to the Council of 26th July-" A communication was received from Peel Forest recommending the Cattle Valley Road and the road from tho Rangitata Traffic Bridge to Mesopotamia be declared main roads by the Council. The Chairman had explained to the Council what such a proceeding meant, and the following, moved by Mr Talbot and seconded by Mr Moody, was carried :-« "That the application of the Mount Peel Road Board to have certain roads declared main roads under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act of 1882, receive the endorsement of this Council, and that the Government be asked to declare the two lines of road indicated main roads, and that the plans accompanying the application be forwarded to the Minister fcr Public Works." The Temuka Road Board wrote asking the Council to take over the Temuka bridge. This matter was, on the motion of Mr Moody, deferred for consideration to next meeting. The following: statement showing area and rateable value of property in the Geraldine County for 1883 was laid on the Council table : Levels Riding—ll9o ratepayers, 188,000 acres freehold, 5000 acres leasehold, raWblo value £1654,188; Temuka-593, 71,077, 7788, £776,055 ; Geraldine-555, 94.358, 25.000 £460.585 ; Mount Cook-247, 168 500, 822.300, £674,027 ; Mount Peel - 83, 85,400, 266,440, £392,491. The Council then adjourned.