GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1341, 16 May 1885, Page 2

GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

A special meeting of the Geraldine County Council was held ou'Wednesday, for the purpose of submitting the annual 'statement of accounts, after which the ordinary monthly meeting was held. Present—Messrs Talbot (in the Chair), Balfour, Barker, Poatlethwaite, Mackay, and Moody. The minutes were read and confirmed. The Chairman stated that after consulting with the Engineer, he had decided that it was best to sell the timber from the old Opihi ibridge, and his action was approved. The following correspondence was dealt with : From the Returning Officer Geraldine Licensing District, forwarding the result of the poll re Local Option in respect to publicans’ and accommodation-house licenses. From Mr Robert Smith, complaining of the bad state of the Waihi bridge. 'From Mr J.J. Daily, of Rangitata, drawing >(111601100 to’ the dangerous state of the Rangitata bridge through rotten planking, and stating that one day, to save life and limb, he had mended two holes in the decking just over the- strongest current of the river.—The matter was referred to the Ash burton County Council. From the Selwyn County Council, asking the Council to assist in the importation of sparrowhawks to abate the small birds nuisance.—The Council declined to assist. From the Railway Department, Wellington, declining to comply with Council’s request that passengers be allowed to travel by cattle trains. From the Temuka Road Board, asking if the Council would make an application to the Government for the loan of a drill to test the coal deposits of the Kakahu.— Proposed by Mr Moody, seconded by Mr Postleth waite, and carried—“ That the Minister of Mines be asked if the Government could . lend boring-rods suitable for boring for coal in the Kakahu district to a depth of 200 feet.” From the Ashburton County Council, stating they had paid the surq of £4 8s for re-dacking the old bridge at the Rangitata, and asking for half cost.—The same to be paid.

Messrs Allan and Carter, and E. T, Rhodes, were granted slaughterhouse licenses, subject to the approval of the Geraldine and Levels Road Boards. From the Property Tax Department, Wellington, asking that the maps and valuation rolls of the district should be placed at the disposal of the Property Tax Assessors, It was remarked by some of the members that great care needed to be exercised in the appointment of Assessors, as the position was one of great importance. At present properties were very unequally valued, and until straightforward and trustworthy valuers were appointed they would remain so. Last year the Government had struck £20,000 off the value of a large estate in the district, and this meant a great diminution in the revenue of (he Council. Mr Moody proposed, Mr Balfour seconded, and it was unanimously carried;—“That this Council, in reply to the circular re property tax assessment valuations, respectfully point out that attention should be given in future assessments to provide that tenants of lands which may be asleased at a higher freehold value than that which those lands are leased should not bo asked to pay (in such case where the tenants are bound to pay the property tax) more than the capitalised value of such rental, leaving the freeholder to pay the balance. The Council is of opinion that the Government should be careful to appoint only capable and trustworthy valuators, in order to attain uniform valuations (which was not the case in the last assessment). With modifications such as those suggested, this Council is of opinion that the present system will work well, and should be used as the basis of rating by all local bodies, The Council would like to be informed under what authority a deduction of £20;000 was made from the valuation fixed at the last assessment of a property ia this district without the usual course of appeal to the Assessment Court. 11 From the Geraldine Road Board in raferente to the rotten condition of the decking of the Waihi bridge, and requesting the Council to re-deck the same.— The - Council decided that they could not do the work at present, but suggested that the Board should keep the bridge open for light traffic and open the ford for heavy traffic, the Council to pay the cost of repairing the docking of the bridge. Mr Compton waited on the Council and explained his scheme for the prevention of scour in rivers, and the members highly approved of it. The attention of the Council was drawn to a deficiency which had occurred in the accounts of the late Mr Upricbard, of Temuka. Mr Uprichard had been appointed collector of rates for the Temuka district of the Geraldine County by the Secretary, and as there were several amounts unaccounted for the Secretary would be held personally responsible for all such deficiencies in his (the late collector’s) accounts.—To meet the case, the Council voted the Secretary the amount of the deficiency in order that he might square the accounts. The Chairman moved Council desires to express the opinion that the education reserves (primary) might be administered so as to better promote settlement, and also to encourage improvements on them to a much greater extent than they now obtain, and would respectfully 'suggest to the Minister for Lands that the following conditions might be adopted in future dealings with them j —(1) That the larger reserves be cut up into moderate-sized farms, having regard to quality, of soil and situation; (2) that the farms be assessed at a fair rental, and applications be invited for leaeingat ‘he rental fixed upon ; all such applications deemed eligible to be submitted to ballot in order to determine the successful one; (3) the farms to he re-assessed every seven years, and the option of renewing the lease on the basis of the new assessment be assured to the tenant in possession, subject to having given satisfaction ; (4) all buildings and other improvements which may have been carried out on the approval of the proper authorities to be valued at the expiration of the lease, and, in case the tenant who carried out those improvements from any reasonable cause gives up possession of his holding, the incoming tenant to have the option of paying for them, and, failing to pay, the leasee to do so, and charge a fair amount in addition to the rent valuation as interest.” —Carried unanimously. Accounts to the amount of £436 7« 6d were passed for payment, and the meeting adjourned.