GERALDINE TOWN BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1291, 17 January 1885, Page 3

GERALDINE TOWN BOARD.

The usual fortnightly meeting of this Board was held on Wednesday evening, in the Board’s office, Talbot street. Pre-sent-Messrs R. H. Pearpoint (Chairman), W. S. Maslin, J. Huffey, J. Mundell, Thos. Farrell, N. Dunlop, and R. Taylor. MINUTES. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. CORRESPONDENCE. Outward correspondence was read and approved. The only inward correspondence was a memo, from the Postmaster, Geraldine, in reference to rent for private box. —Received. arbitration award. The Chairman said he had waited on the Road Board in reference to a settlement of the award. The Board were prepared to give the Town Board a cheque for £6OO with interest to date, and a marked cheque for the balance, good on the Bth of May. The Town Board were also to sign on agreement, which had points on it that he considered objectionable, and he refused to sign. THE BOARD’S RESERVES. Mr Maslin, as one of the Committee appointed to report upon the reserves and the best manner of dealing with them, reported that the Committee had come to the conclusion that it was best to let all the reserves on 21 years lenses, with the exception of the Market Reserve and the Office Reserve, the former of which they recommended should be let for seven years. They recommended tenders to be.called for leasing them. Mr Dunlop would be against letting the reserves for 21 years, and thought 10 years would be long enough. Mr Maslin said the reserves were very rough, and a considerable amount of work would be necessary to put them in a proper state. There was no prospect of getting any remuneration unless they were on a long lease. Mr Dunlop thought that if in the course of IQ years Geraldine went ahead, the Board would find they had made a mistake in letting the reserves for such a lone period at a low rental. Mr Farrell would agree with Mr Maslin that a 21 years’ lease would be best. Mr Maslin then moved, ond Mr Farrell Seconded— “ That the report on the reserves be adopted.” Mr Dunlop moved, as an araandraent —“ That the reserves be let for a period of 10 years ; the Markst Reserve to bo let for years.” Mr Mundell, in seconding the amendment, said 21 years was a long time to look forward to ; 100 long a time to let the reserves, except for building purposes. The reserves were rough, but for a time only a low rental would be given. Mr Huffey said that although the Committee recommended the reserves should be let for 21 years, it was for the Board to decide whether they should be or not. The Chairman said that as some ef the reserves were long and narrow the amount of fencing required would mean a considerable rental spread over such a short period as 10 years. If a satisfactory remuneration could be got for a shorter lease, be would be sorry to see them let for 21 years. If the fencing was taken into consideration, very little would be given for a 10 years’ lease. The amendment was put to the meeting, only the mover and seconder voting for it. The motion was then put and carried. The following were then appointed a Committee to take steps to let the reserves: The Chairman, and Messrs Dunlop, Muslin, and Farrell. WORKS COMMITTER. The Works Committe* reported having accepted Mr Hoskins’s tender for dog collars, and recommended that the proposed drain through the College Eeserve be carried out. This recommendation gave rise to a long discussion. Mr Maslin wanted to know under whut Act the Board had power to go on to private property and make a drain. The Chairman said under the Public Works Act. The Clerk could, however, write to the College Board of Governors, and get consent to make the drain through their reserve. Mr Maslin contended that according to the by-laws they could compel people to abate any nuisance. It would be a great mistake to drain the stagnant water from ♦lie town down the watercourse through the little Park and create a nuisance in another place. If the hollows in the sections ware filled in, the surface water would not become foul.

Mr Dunlop moved that the report re drainage be adopted, and Mr Mundell seconded the motion. The Overseer explained that if the open drain were constructed there would be such a flow of water down it in wet weather as would keep the watercourse clean, and prevent any nuisance arising. Mr Mas!in again objected to the report being adopted till they found out whether they had power to carry out what they proposed. The Chairman said the report would only be adopted on condition that the consent of the parlies through whose land the drain would run were first obtained. Mr Maslin moved ns nn amendment — “ That no open drain be constructed, but where surface water accumulates the owners of the property be compelled to run the water on to the water tables."— The Chaitman seconded the amendment pro forma. On being put the meeting the amendment was lost and the motion carried. . Mr Maslin read clause 219 of the Municipal Corporations Act, bearing on drains being made through private land, but the Chairman thought it only applied to a system of drainage in a municipality. INSPECTOR OF NUISANCES 1 REPORT. This report was read, and the recommendations of the Inspector in reference to nuisances were approved, overseer’s report. Tha Overseer’s report on the works in jtogress was read and adopted. What works wer* now in hand were going on satisfactorily. As soon as the timber was on the ground he proposed putting on a staff of workmen to repair the traffic bridge near Dr Fish's. Traffic would be stopped for one day, and it was thought the work could be done in that time. new office. It was the opinion of Members that to build an office for the Board now that they had a section would bo better than to pay rent. After some discussion as to what material it should be built of, the foilow-

ing resolution was, on the motion of Mr Maslia, seconded by Mr Farrell, carried —“That the Clerk interview Mr D. McKenzie, and ask him to prepare plans for an office in stone or brick, providing a Board room and office with a movable partition, also outbuildings.” MISCELLANEOUS. Mr Maslin asked whether anything had been done in reference to collecting the licenses for public halls. —The Clerk was instructed to collect them. It was resolved that greengrocers’ licenses be not enforced, and it was agreed to remit to Mr Pye the amount of his license. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Maslin, as there was a delay in procuring the dog collars, the time for taking out licenses should be extended to the 24th. Proceedings will then be taken against persons who have not done so. Mr Dunlop drew the attention of the Board to the new kerbing in front of Mr Gibson’s shop.. It was too high on the side street, and dangerous to people passing along the main footway in the dark.— The Overseer said the contractor would have to lower it as it was not in accordance with the specifications. This being all the business the meeting terrain a ted.