GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1378, 13 August 1885, Page 3

GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the Council was held yesterday. Present—Messrs John Talbot (Chairman), R. A. Barker, W. Moody, and R. H. Postlethwaite. Correspondence was read From Mr J. Greaves, Secretary to the Cemetery Board, Woodbury, asking for a grant of land for a cemetery in that district. —The Chairman pointed out that the Council had no power to act in the matter.—lt was resolved on the motion of Mr Moody, seconded by Mr Barker—- “ That the Council will use its legal powers to assist this or any other district in providing cemeteries, on the clear understanding that any outlay necessary for purchase and improvement of land, eurvey, and title, must be borne by district interested. If any public land in the neighborhood of Woodbury is available and recommended as suitable, the Coucnil will support the getting of it set apart for the purpose.” From the Treasury re debentures. From Mr D. ,M. Luckie, Government Life Insurance Acting-General Manager, asking for further information in connection with the Council’s request for a loan for irrigation purposes. Messrs Meason and Marchant reported as follows: —“ We have the honor to inform you that we have inspected the Waihi Bridge at Winchester with a view to putting it into thorough repair. The bridge consists of 13 spans of 20ft each, width of roadway 18ft. 16 girders are decayed to such an extent as to render them unreliable for any heavy load, t-uch as a traction engine or a waggon of wool. About 15 per cent of the planking is more or less decayed and requires renewal, and the planks should all be stripped and replaced closer together. Planks are supported by girders below at intervals of 3 feet 7 inches clear span. This is much too long for an 8x 4 plank of New Zealand timber, and we therefore recommend the placing between the girders of some joisting to give the planks shorter bearings and make them quite safe. We could renew the decayed planking and braces below stringers by good selected timber taken from the Opihi bridge at Temuka. The girders, joints and their corbels must be of new timber. ife estimate the cost of putting this bridge into thorough repair at £3OO. We would respectfully urge upon you the necessity that exists for making some periodica] inspection or cleaning of the bridges under the Council’s jurisdiction. We venture to say that had the bridge we are reporting on been kept clear from road debris and animal droppings it would not have required repairs at the present time.” The Council decided not to undertake the repairs to the Waihi Bridge, at Winchester for the present. It was decided to distribute the best of the timber among the various Road , Boards for bridge repairs, and to call-' their attention to the remarks of Jthe Engineer re keeping bridges clean, j Mr Moody gave notice of moft on as follows :—“ That next Sept. 9th, I will propose that a special order be passed constituting the LevMg District a water-race district, in accor^ajj Ce w ith the provisions of the Counties Act 1876 and Amendment 1883.”—The. Secretary was directed to advertise J^ e special order needed to be passed k y the Council to give effect to the forcing, i n order that objections to the proij osa i m ight be considered at next meaning, Accounts amounting to £519 6s were passed for payment, aad the meeting terminated.