GERALDINE ROAD BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1439, 10 December 1885, Page 2

GERALDINE ROAD BOARD.

The ordinary monthly meeting of this Board wns hold on Tuesday. Present—Messrs W. U. Slack (Chairman), R. H. Postlethwaite, F. JR. Flatman, W. Deßenzv, and the Clerk and Overseer, Mr W. Shiers. MINUTES. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. TENDERS. The following tenders weae opened and considered Contract No, 172—Shingling near Orari Bridge : Thos.’ Markham, £4O (informal); P. Burke, £37 ; S. Gould, £35 (informal); John Fiefield, £3O; Jonas Fiefield, £29 15s; JR. Rae, £2B los; Geo. Rae, £27 1-Os; D. Guldan, £26 15s ;M. Lawlor, £26 15s; Joseph Wharton, £26 10s (accepted). No. 173—Concrete culvert, ford and ’shingle, near Findlay’s, Kakahu : W. Fletcher, £BS ; M. Lawlor, £7l 10a ; D. Gregan, £(59 ; R. Rae, £6B : Comer and • Larcornbe, £67 ; D. Guldan, £59 18a; J. Wharton, £69; P. Burke, £53 (accepted) i Jm. Bsokley, £4 6 10c.

CORRESPONDENCE. ' The following conespondence "as read and dealt with : _ • From Mr J. Kelland, junr., apologising for absence from the Board's meeting through having to attend as a -juror m the Supreme Court, Timaru. He also stated that he was of opinion something should be done to improve the drainage of the Hilton township. ' Froth Mrs Tindall in reference to the same, and drawing attention to the water lying On the road near her house.—lt was resolved that Mrs Tindall be requested to re-open the culvert through the fence to give the water its natural outlet. From the Clerk to the Temuka Road Board forwarding for signature by the Chairman, a memorandum of agreement between the two Boards in reference t" the future maintenance of the Boundary Road.—Attended to. From the Secretary to the Indian and Colonial Exhibition, Wellington, forwardinformation, in reply to the Board, re mineral exhibits, etc From Mr J. Williams, Sumner, in reference to the ownership of section 19885 on the Kankapuka Downs.—The Overseer to see Mr Macdonald. From Mr R. McCntcheon, asking the Board to clear the tussocks and lower thienttings on the road from his gate to Cole’s stable.—The Overseer to report on the same. From Mr J. H. Baker, Commissioner of Crown Lands, stating that the Crown grant of Reserve No. 2177 at Beautiful Valiev had been amended, so as to allow the road go round the corner of Rawetoru’s section No. 27134. From the same, stating that he recommended the Government to reserve five acres of land at Gapes’ Valley for a stone quarry. From the Paymaster-General, stating that £33 6s Id, being amount of rates due on Crown lands, had been paid to the credit of the Board. From Messrs White, Smithson, and Raymond, solicitors, Timaru, forwarding titles of several blocks of land acquired by the Board. From the Clerk of the Geraldine County Council, asking for information re the gross amount of the Beard’s rate roll, and the total rateable value of the Road District; also forwarding a resolution of the Council in reference to the subsidies granted under the Local Bodies Finance Bill. From the Chairman of the Geraldine County Council, re subsidies for charitable aid purposes.—The Clerk to write and enquire from Mr Stubbs the amount due by the Board for charitable aid. overseer's report. The Overseer’s report for the past month.was read as follows : The works in hand have progressed very favorably during the past month. Since last meeting the under-mentioned contracts have been completed : St;ets at Hilton Township, P. Burke ; shingle repairs Main Road, D. Galdan; do Orari Bridge Road, G. Piskey; do Rhubarb Flat Road, D. Gregan ; footbridge at Eaknhu Bush, W. Fletcher ; crate at Woodbury Wier, Dean and Fiefield.--As instructed I have had a number of booms anchored at the north terrace of the Orari, to protect the road line above t'm bridge. A number of decayed deck planks have also been taken out, and replaced with the old decking from the Geraldine Traffic Bridge. I should advise that the new deck of tie latter Bridge be tarred with two coats of coal tar.— Beautiful Valley Road : This road has been put in a good slate of repair, pending tire Board’s decision as to shing'ing the same.—Rates ; I have received to date the sum of £9lO 7s Id on account of general rates. This leaves a few pounds outstanding, a portion of which being due on deferred payment and tbwn sections at Orari which have been abandoned, or the owners being absentees, will, lam afraid, not be recoverable. I herewith submit a list of defaulters, showing the amount due by each ratepayer,— lam, etc. William Shibes, Overseer to the Board. It was resolved that the County Council be asked to do the work of tarring the Geraldine Traffic Bridge. It was decided to defer the shingling of Beautiful Valley Road. Be outstanding rates—lt was resolved that all defaulters should be summoned, INTERVIEWS. Mr E. H. Toomey waited on the Board in reference to the river crossing near his place. A bridge was much wauled, as in times of flood he was unable to get to his land on the opposite side of the river.— The Chairman said that if Mr Toomey did not own land ou both sides of the river he would not want the bridge. It was unfortunate for him that his land whs so situated, but the Bo«rd did not see any reason why 7 a large sum of money should be expended on this account. From the milme of the riverbed at the crossing it would require an extensive bridge to stand in time of flood,—After some further discussion Mr Toomey withdrew, and the Board decided not to alter their former decision in the matter, Mr M. Guerin interviewed the Board, and requested that the road loading over the Downs from Hilton in the direction of the Rangitira Bush shouldbe improved. —lt «as decided that the Overseer inspect the same and call for tenders for nest meeting. MISCELLANEOUS, On the motion of Mr Postlethwaite, seconded by Mr Flatman, it was resolved “ That the Clerk be instructed to apply to the Government for the subsidy payable under Ihe Local Bodies Finance aud Powers Bill.” It was resolved to call for tenders for quarrying and breaking stone for the Gapes’ Valley aud Kakahu Bush Road. ACCOUNTS. After passing accounts to the amount of £262 17« 6d the Board adjourned.

GERALDINE LITERARY INSTITUTE A meeting of the Committee of the above was held on Tuesday evening. Present—Messrs J. Cmnmingham, J. Huffly, »«d G. W. Westropp. Mr h, Hardcastle, Hon. Secretary, was also in attendance. Mr Cunningham w»s voted to the chair. MINUTES. ihe minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. WOODBURY BRANCH LIBRARY, A letter was read from Mr J, Greaves, Woodbury, enclosing cheque for L 3 9s, being amount of members’ subscriptions collected during the year. He stated further that the subscribers would like the library continued for the next year. It was decided on the motion of Mr Westropp. seconded by Mr Huffey—“That the Woodbury Branch Library be continued during the next year.” THE INSTITUTE? ROOMS. The Chairman said that something should be done to the walls ami ceiling of the Reading and Committee Rooms, as they were in much need of being whitewashed. Mr Huffey said he had drawn the attention of the Committee to them on previous occasions. They had long needed to be done.

I he question was then brought up of converting the Committee room-into a Library, and giving the present Library room to the Librarian for further accommodation. A discussion took place, the majority of those present being in favor of letting the matter stand over till a fuller meeting.

Mr Huffey then moved, and Mr Cunningham seconded Librarian be given the services of a man for a day to clean the rooms, and that ihe Institute be closed while the work is being done.”

Mr Westropp moved as an amendment, and Mr tlardcnstle seconded pro forma —“ That the Institute rooms be cleaned, and that the books he removed into the Committee room and the present Library be given up to the Librarian.” The amendment on being put was lost, and Mr Huffey’s motion carried. MISCELLANEOUS. The Secretary was instructed to have the pictures which hove come with the illustrated papers sold b/ auction, and also to dispose of the waste paper, Mr C. E. Sherratt was appointed to audit the books at the end of the year.

After (he transaction of other routine business the meeting terminated, DEATH OF MRS JOHNSTON, It is with the deepest regret wo (Timaru Herald) announce that Mrs Johnston, wife of His Honor Mr Justice Johnston, died rather suddenly at an early hour on Tuesday morning. The deceased lady was a guest of Mr Dennistoun, at Peel Forest, Her health on arrival at Mr Dennistoun’s house was not good, but on Sunday evening she seemed n uch better in health than usual, and enjoyed a walk about the house and grounds, On getting indoors again, however, she was taken very ill, but again rail led, and every, thing looked so promising that His Honor was informed on Monday his wife was improving in health. The change for the better did not last long, however, for late on Monday night Mrs Johnston got worse, and expired early on Tuesday morning. The deceased lady was deeply loved and highly esteemed by all who knew her, and much svmpethy is felt for His Honor in his affliction.

The Christchurch Pres* referring to the deceased lady, says the sad news of the death of Mrs Johnston, wife of Mr Justice Johnston, reached town on Tuesday, and wae received on all sides with feelings of sorrow. Friends and acquaintances here and in Wellington, will deeply sympathise—not only with her bereaved husband, which loss none of us can measure, but with the poor and needy, the sick and suffering, whose loss is almost irreparable. None but those who have had occasion to go much amongst such can have any idea of the never-osasing interest that was taken by Mrs Johnston in the welfare of that section of her fellowoitizens. Most of her own means must have been dispensed in charities, and so well was her benevolence understood that many, who : ffirank from going to the ordinary sources V for the relief of the poor, went to her with the assurance that, if deserving, their appeal would not be made in vain. In many other ways, too, Mrs Johnston’s influence was felt j and one institution in this city for the 'approvement of her sex, the Girls' Friendly j Society, is indebted to her fostering care for » its existence to-day.” His Honor Mr Justice Johnston left Timaru for Christchurch on Tuesday evening. The remains of the deceased lady were taken to Christchurch yesterday, and the funeral will take place ac Biooarton to-day.

WOOL SALE AT TEMUR A. At the opening wool sale held on Wednesday, 9Hi inst, Mr K. F. Gray offered a catalogue of one hundred bales and bags. As the foreign buyers were not present (having to attend the Dunedin wool sales) very few lots submitted under the hammer found purchasers. However, for the January sales all foreign firms will be wel! represented. What was sold fetched a fair price.

The Bootmakers’ Society at Dunedin purpose forming a Co-operative Manufacturing Company 7, “ Euohu-Paiba.”— Quick, oompjet* cures, fll annoying Kidney, Bladder and Urinary Diseases. At Druggists. Kempthoine, Pros eer A Go. 'Agents, Christchurch. 2 The New Zealand Shipping Company ara in receipt of a cable from London advising the arrival of the R.M S, Tongariro at Plymouth on the sth instant after an excellent run of forty-one days from Auckland. The Company’s ship Mataura has sailed for Wellington. Mothebb Don’t Know.—How many children are pu ished tor being uncouth, wilful and indiffoien! to instructions .or reward simply because they are out of health ! An intelligent lady said of a child of tbi* kind : “ Mother don’t know that she should give the little one moderate doses of American Co.’a Bop Biters for tvseor three weeks, and the child will be all'the parent can desire. It was only when he found the toe of a strange stocking in one of his sausages that a newly.arrived young Scotchman was fully able to realise the meaning of the colonial legend—" All meals sockapence.” A Lovely Chaplet —A kte fashion report says : ‘'Nothing can be better than a chaplet of hop vines in blossom.” A recent medical review says : “ Nothing can be a belter renovator of the health than American Hop Bitters. They aid in all the operations of nature; tonirg up the stomach, assisting the food to become properly assimilated, aod promote healthy action in all the organs. The dictates of fashion, as well as the laws of health, alike Lvor a right application of hops.” Head advt. One very coli night, a -jolly old fellow, who had partaken rather too freely of flip at the tavern, started for home in a trap, and on the way was upset and left by the side of the road. Borne passing the same wav a short time after discovered the old fellow holding his feet up to the moon, ejaculating to some invisible person John- 1 Pile on the wood ; it’s a miserable cold night.” It is Wobth a Trial—“ I was troubled fir many years with kidney complaint, gravel, &c., and roy blond became thin I was dull and inactive, could hardly crawl about, and was an old worn-out man ail over, and could get nothing to help mo until I got American Co.’s Hop Bitters, and now my blood and kidneys are all right, and I am as active ai a man of thirty although I am seventy-two, and I have no doubt it will do as well for others of my age. It is worth the trial. — (Father). Notice advt. One of the neatest retotts ever made was a brief response given by a young lady to a young fellow who offered her, with some hesitation, his seat in the tramcar. She got in with an elder companion ; the car was crowded, and two y’oung men sat near. One gave his seat at once to the elder lady ; the other kept his place. His friend asked him-disguising it however, in German— why 7 he did not give his place to the young lady. He answered in the same language, “Because she is not pretty enough." But after a litt'e reflection he rose and surrendered his seat. The lady took it and thanked him —in German. Never before was en extinguisher more effectually dropped upon impertinent youth