GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1455, 16 January 1886, Page 2

GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

An ordinary meeting of this Council was held on Wednesday. Present—Mr John Talbot (Chairman), and Messrs Postlethwaite, Moody, Balfour, and Mackay, After the minutes had been confirmed, the Chairman said since last meeting the Engineers, Messrs Meason and Marchant, had surveyed the Seadown district, and the plan prepared by them would be laid on the table. If this plan were approved it would be necessary for the Council to pass a resolution so that they could take the necessary action under ths Public Works Act to acquire land, etc. It would be necessary for Councillors to at once go into the question of the loan, to ensure that no time might be lost in starting the works. As to the RangitaU district a special order respecting it vould be presented later on and confirmed.

A letter was read from the Engineers, Messrs Marchant and Meason, offering to furnish design, survey, pay wages, and superintend the whole scheme for the Seadown district for £l6O. A protest was received from Mr Geo. Butler, objecting to the water passing over his land, and the Chairman reported that Mr John Hay also objected to the water passing over his land. Mr Hay acknowledged that the water would prove of great benefit to him, but he was afraid the river would overflow and scour the races out. After looking over the Act, members agreed to let the protests stand oyer fop the present, and Mr Moody moved and it was carried That the necessary steps under the Public Works Act for the construction of waterrraces in. the Seadown water supply district be taken, and the advertising required be done as sooii as possible.'’ In accordance with a suggestion of Mr Marchant, Mr Moody moved, and it was carried {—“ That the Clerk be instructed

to ask the Ashburton County Council for a copy of their form of contract with land-owners, as to land used for water-race purposes.” Respecting the Rangitata water supply district, Messrs Smith, Danuiatoun and Co., and several others, settlers and ratepayers in the Mount Peel district, wrote, protesting against their lands being made liable for rates levied for the construction of water-races which would be of no benefit to them.—lt was pointed out to Mr Dennistoun and Mr R. Thew, who waited on the Council, that those who were not benefited by the water, would not be called upon to pay for it. The special order, moved by Mr Balfour at last meeting, dealing with the Eangitata water supply district was then Hnfirmed by the Council. BTpie Chairman reported that some of Bu«" planks on the Temuka bridge had “ sprung ” at the ands, and required attending to at once.—He and the Engineer were directed to attend to the matter.

The Clerk to the Selwyn County Council wrote stating that efforts were being taken by the Council re the small birds nuisance. The Chairman and Messrs Moody and Balfour spoke on the subject, and urged that combined action was necessary. It was decided to let the matter stand over for a week or two. The Chairman submitted a draft copy of a new. by-law regulating the weight that shall pass over, time of crossing, etc., the bridges of the Council, and said members would no doubt remember that it was on account of the Temuka bridge being seriously injured by an engine and combine crossing over it at night-time, that the by-law had been drafted.—Mr Postlethwaite was against adopting the by-law off-band, and after, a slight discussion it was resolved that a copy of It should be forwarded to the Temuka and Geraldine, Road Boards for their consideration.

Messrs J. W. Griffiths, W. Howens, Geo. Bolton and Co., and Walter Tutton were granted slaughter house licenses. The Secretary to the Sooth Canterbury Board of Education wrote asking what ■um the Council were prepared to contribute towards cost of repairs and maintenance of school buildings. After Mr Balfour and the Chairman bad made a few remarks, it was resolved—“ That the Education Board be informed that this Council are not prepared to contribute anything in aid of maintenance or school buildings.” After considering the form of application for loan by local bodies, forwarded by the Government Insurance Department, it was resolved that the amount to bo borrowed be £2500, aud that the Clerk fill, in the form and return it to the Head Office. The Chairman advised that the motion standing in Mr Barker’s name re payment of Chairman be allowed to lapse, Personally he was against the Chairman being paid, just now at any rate, and would always be found ready and willing to forward the interests and works of the Council to the utmost of bis power. Mr Mackay said he would like to see the Chairman paid, and in speaking of the matter complimented Mr Talbot on the way he bad carried out the many duties that fell to the lot of the Chairman, and the ungrudging manner in which he placeid his valuable time at the disposal of the Council. The Clerk to the Geraldine Road Board wrote asking the Council to tar the new decking of the bridge.—Left in the hands of the Chairman,

The School Commissioners, Christchurch, wrote stating they had no power to grant the Couscil’s request that part of a reserve at Woodbury be sot aside as a public cemetery.—Left to the applicants to move that the Member for the district apply for a cemetery reserve under the provisions of the Special Powers and Contracts Act.

The Clerk to the Raukapnka Licensing District wrote in reference to a claim made upon then \ and, after being considered by the Council, it was directed to be sent to tbe Road Boards of the district.

A letter was received from MrSperrey, Government Buildings, Wellington, respecting the 75 per cent, of subsidy and asking for information.—The Clerk stated be had attended to the matter.

Accounts amounting to £97 10s Id were passed for payment.