GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1133, 31 January 1884, Page 1

GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

An adjourned ordinary m ,eeting of the Geraldine County Council was held at their offices, Maclean and 1 itewart’s buildings, Timaru, on Tues day. Members present—Messrs J. C. M ,cHarrow (Cliair-

man), and Messrs J. Paterson, J. Talbot, and A. Sherratt. The Clerk, Mr P. W. Stubbs, was also in attendance. A letter was read from the Secretary to the Temuka Mechanics’ Institute, asking that as the I nstitute was of great value to the public, and as it had hitherto been exempt from rates, the rate levied on it % the Council be remitted.

The' Clerk informed the Council the matter had been dealt with ; that he had sent a reply similar to that sent to the Lady Superior of thp Sacred Heart Convent—‘That this Council regrets that the Act give them no power to remit rates on such buildings.’ The* Clerk’s action was approved of. From Mrs A; Evans, Woodbury, asking to be excused from paying rates due by her to the Council. The Council agreed to remit the rate.

The Timaru Borough Council wrote declining to pay the account for the general rate on the water-race reserve, as sent them by the County Council; The Chairman explained that the Levels Road Board had made a similar demand, and in consequence of the Borough Council declining to pay, had resolved to take their solicitor’s opinion on the matter. Perhaps it would bo better if this Council did the same. The sum involved was a very large one, and he thought proper steps should be taken to test the question. Members agreed with the Chairman, and it was unanimously resolved that the Solicitor’s opinion on the point should be immediately obtained. From Mr G. Lang-Meason, C.E., forwarding plans and specifications of repairs needed to the Opihi bridge. The Chairman said the plans would be forwarded to Government along with the Council’s application, under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act. Captain Sutter, Member for . Gladstone, had also written to Wellington, urging on the Government the necessity of granting the request with as little delay os possible. A letter having been received from a Road Board suggesting the advisability of remitting the tax on sheep dogs within the County (limited to two belonging to one owner) it w»s resolved to inform the Board that the rate had been fixed, and is now being collected. From the Ashburton County Council acknowledging receipt of cheque for amount due on Rangitata bridge, and forwarding a receipt for same. ‘ ’§ From the same forwarding a copy of their Engineer’s report on the state of the planking of the old or Upper Rangitata bridge, and informing them that they had agreed to carry out the work. The Engineer’s report stated that the decking and bearers of the' old portion pf the bridge were so decayed as to be quit unfit for traffic, and that He estimated the work would cost at least £IOOO. Mr Talbot moved, Mr Sherratt seconded, and it was resolved—the letter be acknowledged.’ From Mr F. W. Merchant, clerk to the Mackenzie County Council., forwarding the sum of £375 18s, being the amount of the Mount Cook Riding’s share of the debit balance standing against the.Geraiding County on the date of the separation of the Mount Cook Riding from the Geraldine County. From Mr Wigley with reference to slaughtering matters. After reading this the Council resolved—‘That the Slaughterhouse Inspector be instructed to take proceedings against Mr Wigley for the alleged infringement of the Regulations by slaughtering for sale without a license.’ From Mr Laing-Meason, expressing regret, etc., that plans were not ready by that meeting for the Levels Plains and Rangitata water supplies. He hoped, however, to have all in readiness by next meeting. ■ Some telegrams were read.from the Licensing Commissioner stating that the Mount Cook Licensing district hqd been abolished and that of Raukapuka established in its steady .; A’telegram had been sent by the Council asking that ‘ Geraldine’ be substituted 1 for® that being the name best known in the district. As Government had not sent any reply 'to this telegramdhe 1 Council was not in a position to discuss the matter, and it was therefore postponed. It was unanimously that the Council decline to recognise a claim from the Ashburton County Council for 8 per cent interest on the amountpfiid by the Geraldine County Council !as their share of the cost of tire Rangitata bridge extension. ’■ Renewals of Slaughterhouse licenses were granted to a large number of .applicants. Mr Talbot asked whether, in the event cf the Counties Act being suspended in the Geraldine County, the various Road Boards would become jointly responsible, on the basis of their rate -valuations, to share the cost of County Works, giving the Rangitata biid£e as an example. He thought the ratepayers were in too great a hurry in dealing with the question of the suspension of ’the Act ;ih the County. ’ ' * Mr Talbot moved that a grant of money equal to the amount expended ’on the maintenance -of the Opihi bridge since 1882 be refunded to the Temuka and Levels Roadßoard. - , . Mr Sherratt objected that it was wrong to .subsidise the Boards in that way. The Ger aldine Board had been to considerable outlay on works, and yet there was nothing at all said about that. He thought, if it was proposed to take charge of one or two bridges or works, that the best thing the Council could do was to take charge cf the whole. He pointed out that the Standing Orders had not been complied with. As the amount was over £IOO a notice of motion should have been given in. . Mr Talbot agreed and gave notice of motion accordingly. 1 .

Accounts amounting to L52.17s lid were passed for payment. j It was resolved —‘That the Cletk b« instructed to sue for all 1 accounts out* standing after 14 days notice.’