GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1466, 11 February 1886, Page 2

GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of this Council was held yesterday. Present—Messrs J. Talbot (Chairman), Mackay, Postethwaits, Barker end Balfour. The minutes of the previous meeting were road and confirmed, Letters were received from the Geraldine and Terauka Hoad Boards, giving estimates for tming the decking of the bridges, and recommending that tho work should bo done.—lt was resolved that the work should be carried out.

Slaughter-house licenses were granted to Messrs W. Deßenzy, G. Brassell, and the Timaru Refrigerating Company.

A circular was received from the Waikato County Council stating objections to the Hospital and Charitable Institutions Act, and asking the assistance of the Council in obtaining an amendment of the Act next session—The Chairman expressed an opinion that the objections to the Act were more imaginary Ilian real, as the poor would have to be supported in some way,—lt was decided to defer consideration of tho question till next meeting. The consideration of a circular from the Wairarspa County Council on the subject of local government was also deferred.

A letter was received from the Gisborne Chamber of Commerce stating that Mr W. L. Rees was going to England shortly in connection with an immigration and land settlement scheme, and as Government would be asked to contribute to the expenses the Chamber wished for the Council’s moral Council

decided that they could not comply with the request. With regard to the Opihi and Temuka Bridges the Chairman made a rather lengthy statement, and it was decided that the By-law drafted to the order of the Council, limiting the weights allowed to pass orer the bridges should be adopted, the Chairman to take the necessary steps to bring it into force.—A summary of the by-law appeared in our report of the last Temuka Road Board meeting, but it may be mentioned that the maximum weight of any load or engine crossing the Opihi bridge is by it limited to 12 tons, and that the maximum weight of load, or engine allowed to cross the Temuka bridge is 6 tons. Mr Postlethwaite, in answer to the Chairman, said that the Geraldine bridge could carry 20 tons, but the decking would not stand it, as the planks would be crushed. It was resolved that the Temuka Road Board be authorised to carry out the rerepairs to the Temnka bridge according to the estimate furnished to the Council. The Chairman said that in accordance with a motion passed at last meeting, the Ashburton County Council bad been requested to furnish the Council with a copy of the deed of agreement with the landowners regarding water races. That deed bad been received, but he did not think it was altogether applicable to Geraldine, Mr Merchant had prepared a deed which he thought would be suitable. He was of opinion that an arrangement might be made with a lawyer to carry out the work at a fixed sum, but the Engineer thought this was not required. Two objections to the scheme and been received —one from Mr Hay and one from Mr Butler. Regarding the former, it had been decided not to go over the land, but it would be necessary to bare Mr Butler’s objection settled by arbitration, —lt was decided to give the Chairmen power to appoint an arbitrator in any case that might arise without calling a meeting of the Council. Accounts to the amount of £26 3n 9d were passed for payment, and the Coun oil adjourned.