GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1315, 14 March 1885, Page 2

GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the Geraldine County Council took place on Wednesday* Members present Messrs J. Talbot (Cliairtmiu), Mackay, Balfour, Barker and Postlet.h waite. Mr F. \V..Stubbs, Clerk, and Mr G. L. Jleason, Engineer, were also present. * The minutes of the last meeting having been read and confirmed, correspondence " was read : From the. Public Works Department, for warding certain payments on account of the Opihi bridge. From the Clerk to the Balclulha County Council, with respect to|loeal government, and requesting that united action be taken in the matter.—Clerk to write for further particulars. • From the Ashburton County Council regretting their inability tq entertain the idea of a stock and foot bridge over the Rangitata river.—The Chairman stated that this being.the case the Council could do nothing further in the matter. From Mr J. P. Maxwell, acknowledging the Council’s letter re aluration of timetable, etc., and staling that the Railway Department were engaged considering the same. From the Public Works Department, asking for further information (plans, etc.) about the grant ot £553 applied for by the Council.—The Clerk had forwarded the desired information*

From Constable Stanley, of Pleasant Point, and Inspector Brohnm, offi er in charge of the A.G. force in this district, formulating a charge of ante-dating a receipt for dog collar* against the Dog Registrar at Teiunka. After con»idering (he same, the Council authorised the Chairman and Clerk to procure a successor. From Messrs Philp and Jones, contractors for the Opihi bridge works, asking that the Condcil reconsider its decision of last meeting n imposing a penally for overtime.—-The Council decided not to reconsider the matter. From the Clerk to the Geraldine Road Board, forwarding an account for material used in repairing the Orari traffic bridge, The account amounted to £2O 6s.— Passed. From Messrs White, Smithson and Raymond re closing certain roads. From Messrs M. Mcßae and i\ H. Wigley, applying for second class slaughterhouse licenses. —Granted. The tender of R. S. Watson (£74 4s 10d) was accepted for redecking three small timber bridges ; and (hat of R. B. Sibley (£166 8s) for the construction of • masonry culvert. During the month the tender of Findlay and Travis was accepted for painting the Opihi bridge. The Engineer reported that the protective work* at the Opihi should be completed in about a week. Findlay and Tnvis had not made much progress with the painting of the Opihi bridge hut us they had now put on a large staff of men the contract should be soon out of hand. —Mr James Philp, the sucessfui tenderer for redecking the Temuka and Geraldine bridges had signed the bond, and wuuld commence the work on arrival of the timber—in about five orsix weeks.—The Woolcombe’s Gully badge was now 17ft. 6in. wide in the clear and could be enlarged 6ft. 6in. for £ -.—With regard to the Opuha bridge lie still recommended the Council to, if possible, build a 10ft. bridge in preference to a 3ft. 6in. one. The bridge could not safely be shortened.

The Chairman made a statement as to the financial position of the Council. The balance to credit after paying that day's accounts was £917 ; the estimated receipts from licenses, etc,, were £350 ; total, £1267. The liabilities were including the works let that day. over £2190. There was, therefore, a deficiency of over £BOO, that was including the payment applied for from Government for the Opihi bridge. Should the Government grant this money, they would still be in debt some £3OO. The Council decided to defer the Woollcombe'a bridge work and as the Opuha bridge was not on a main road, decided they could not entertain it. The Chairman said it had been pointed out to him that the cattle trains had a passenger carriage attached to them, yet the railway officials were not authorised to allow passengers to travel by these trains. He thought stockowners and dealers would find it very convenient if they were allowed to take advantage of these trains. The Chairman was requested to write to the Department and explain the question to them. Accounts amounting to £BIB 14s lOd were passed for payment, and the meeting terminated.