GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1144, 23 February 1884, Page 3

GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

A meeting of the Geraldine County Council was held in Timaru last Thursday. Present —Messrs J. C. McKerrow (Chairman), J, Talbot, R. Maekay, A, Sherratt, and W. Moody. The minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed.

Correspondence was read as follows : From the Mount Pee) Road Board, asking the Council to remit the tax on rabbiters’ dogs.—Decided that the request could not be complied with. From tha Department of Justice, relating to the Raukapuka licensing district, stating that the Committee having been elected, the name would not be changed, as had been requested, as that would necessitate a fresh election. From Messrs White and Smithson, giving opinion on the right of the Council to collect rates from the Timaru Borough Council on the water race reserve, their opinion being that the Council has such right ; but the point was a nice one, and they suggested that they be allowed to consult other counsel. It was resolved to defer further consideration of the matter till next meeting pending the result of the action being taken by the Levels Road Board on a similar claim.

From the Levels Road Board, regarding the stoppage of certain roads in the Levels district.—lt was resolved to confirm the action of the Board and close the roads. A similar communication from the Temuka Koad Board was informal, no proper plan of the roads to be dealt with being sent. The matter re the alleged case of slaughtering without a license by a runholder came up again, but the Council decided that the evidence they had to go on was not sufficient, and the Clerk was instructed to make further inquiries. Proposed by Mr Talbot, seconded by Mr Moody and carried —‘ That a subsidy of £ for £ be made to the different lioad Boards in the County on their expenditure le small birds nuisance, such expenditure to be based on a uniform price paid for eggs and young birds of 2d per dozen in each case, and exclusive of any costs of collection.’ A letter was read from the Public Works Department intimating that £2938, the sum applied for under the Hoads and Bridges Construction Act for the reconstruction of the old portion of the Opihi Bridge, had been granted, and the Council was cautioned against spending any portion of the money on any other works than bridges. On the question whether the whole County should be made liable, or a portion should be specially rated, it was decided to rate the whole County.

The Chairman w..-* authorised to take the necessary steps to have the poll taken, land any other requirements of the aw complied with. Mr Talbot, in accordance with notice given, moved, and Mr Moody seconded, that the sum expended by the Temuka and Levels Roads Boards on the maintenance of the Opihi bridge since December. 1882, be refunded to those bodies. A warm discussion took place on this motion. Mr Sherratt opposed it, as he had done before, because the Council had refused to take over the Orari bridge from the Geraldine Road Board. If the proposal were made to apply to all bridges on main roads be would vote for it, but he must protest against the proposal as it stood. It was the expenditure of so much money in that one locality that had caused so much talk about suspending the Act, and if the motion was carried the poll on the special rate to secure the grant for the same bridge would be strongly opposed in the Geraldine district. If the Council had any money to distribute among Road Boards, it should be divided among them all. Mr Mackay spoke to the same effect, and the Chairman pointed out the amount paid and to be paid on account of the Rangitata bridge had chiefly to be paid b}the Temuka and Levels Ridings. It was replied that the bridge was only used for stock, and was much more used by stockowners in Temuka and Levels districts than by those of Geraldine or Mount Peel, Mr Moody pointed ont that the chief portion of the rates levied for the Rangitata bridge, and iu fact of all-works paid ;for out of rates levied on the whole County must come from the Levels and Temuka Ridings. The motion was put and lost. Accounts to the amount of £63 7s 8d were passed for payment. The Secretary stated that the Bank account was in credit £220 on general account and £584 on special rate account, and that about £IOOO of The rate was still outstanding. The following notices of motion were given for next meeting ;- , By Mr Talbot— ‘ That this Council take over the maintenance of the bridges on main roads in the County.’ ■ By- Mr Moody —‘ That each district bear its own special rate for works carried out in it under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act.’ By Mr Sherratt— ‘ That a sum of money, equal to the amount spent by the Road Boards in the maintenance of bridges in each district last year, be recouped to each Board.’ Tiie meeting then terminated.