GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL

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

GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL

The following is the conclusion of our report of Wednesday’s meeting uf this Council;— DISPUTED ROAD. A letter was read from the Mackenzie County Council re a certain road between the Cave railway station and the Pareora River, The Board came to the conclusion that the road is not within the Geraldine County. STOCK BRIDGE. In our last issue we omitted to state that Mr W. Rolleston interviewed the Council re the stock-bridge over the Rangitata and informed the Council that he believed the Ashburton Council were quite in favor of the work. He (Mr Rolleston) would do his utmost to forward it. The resolution passed by the Council we gave in our last issue. It was resolved—“ That the Engineer be instructed to report on the feasibility of erecting a stock bridge over the north branch of the Opihi at or near its junction with the Opuha branch.” THE BRIDGES. The Engineer presented very long reports on the bridges in the county. He reported that the timber for the decking of the bridge over the Opihi had arrived and the contractors having put on a very large staff had in 10 days put 60,000 feet in position. The contract had been faithfully carried out. The turnout had been constructed of materials from the old bridge, and would therefore coat much less than the estimate. With regard to the training wall at the north side of the bridge, he reported that the piles used had proved too short and half of it had been washed away, but it had done good service and prevented all scour at that side. The river had been thrown two chains to the south. During the month he had examined the floating boom protective works at the Orari, and concluded that similar works would answer admirably at the Opihi. He urged that immediate action should bo taken as regarded these protective works. Of the Temuka and Geraldine bridges he reported that the decking of both were rotten and required replacing. The Council resolved—“ That the Opihi Bridge be painted ; that the question of enforcing the penalty on account of the bridge be deferred to next meeting; that training wall as advised be put in at the north bank. On the motion of Mr Moody, ir. was resolved that the Engineer be instructed to prepare plans and specifications for redecking the Temuka and Geraldine bridges, and for the re-erection of three small bridges on the Main South Road, tenders to be in by next meeting.” Irrigation works. During the discussion on the Rangitata stock-bridge Mr John falbot (the Chairman) came in and took the chair, and he now brought up the subject of irrigation. He said they would remember that one application (Wai tobi) had been made in proper form, but he had not taken farther steps for several reasons. He had been in hopes that the Government would have passed a measure last session to assist the Council in carrying out such works; the last two seasons had been very wet and people had had more water in some cases than they required ; and the times had been so depressed that it would not have been fair to put further burdens on the people. There were now signs of improvement and as Rangitata and the would benefit just as much as Waitohi from irrigation they should make proper application, and the Council could get funds at one time to do the lot. He thought the Council could borrow the money from the Government Insurance Department as the security was undoubted. The Council decided to write to the Insurance Department to see on what terms, as to interest, etc., they could get the money and the matter dropped. MISCELLANEOUS. A slight discussion took place on the present mode of collecting the grain statistics, which was characterised as absurd, and it was resolved to bring the subject under the notice of the Chamber of Commerce. Accounts were passed for payment and this meeting terminated.