GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1533, 17 July 1886, Page 3

GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the Geraldine County Council was held on Wednesday last. . Present—Messrs J, Talbot (Chairman), Mackay, Balfour, Moody, and Barker. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. A letter was received from the Secretary to tfie South Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, stating that the proportionate amount to be contributed by the Council for charitable aid purposes was £1670 10s, and asking the Council to place to the credit of the Board half that amount.—Mr Moody drew attention to the disproportion of the contributions for charitable aid. The £B2l, while (be Timaru Borough Council, ii far wealthier local body, only had to contribute £347.—The Chairman said the Charitable Aid Board had nothing to do with the proportions of the contributions. The contributions were first based on the population basis, but had afterwards been altered jio the annual valuation basis.—lt remarked that the country districts wpre unduly rated, but as it was too late this session to get the Act amended the matter was allowed to oyer, communication »a\_ rend from the Assistant Undersecretary for Public Works, Wellington, stating that a letter bad been receiyed from the Mackenzie County Counpij, protesting against that Council being phafged with half cost ot t|>e proposed bridge over the South Opoba river, which the Geraldine Council

were about to construct, and that that protest would be considered by the Government in the event of the Geraldine Con.'ici) applying to have the cost of the bridge apportioned between the two Counties. A letter was aisa read from the Mackenzie County Council in reference to the same matter. Mr Moody made a personal explanation, and the subject dropped. The Clerk to the Temuka Road Board wrote, forwarding for the consideration of the Council a c"pv of a clause in the Overseer’s June report, viz. “ I have examined the Waihi bridge, and find that sixteen of the girders are more or less decayed. The piles, capsules, and corbels are sound. The decking is in a bad state, and some of the hand railing is broken. To redeck the bridge with black birch decking, replace the girders wheie required, repair the railing, etc., etc,, I estimate would cost £4oo,”—The matter was, after a slight discussion, deferred, the Chairman stating that the Council was short of funds. Mr E. Counihan wrote accepting the Council’s valuation for land to be taken for irrigation purposes. Some discussion ensued as to the Council borrowing a sum of money from the Government in order to carry out their irrigation scheme, when the Chairman informed the councillors that under the new Act now in Parliament Government would lend money to local bodies at 5 per cent., and it would therefore be cheapei to borrow money under that Act than from the Government Insurance Association. Loans must bo borrowed for a stated purpose, and in the event of any ba'aoce remaining after completing a work, the same to be returned to the Government.—Mr Moody moved—“ That as soon as it is known whether the Local Finance Bill is paseed, the Chairman is authorised to call a special meeting of the Council in order to put in train th® proceedings necessary for providing irrigation for the various districts already considered bythe Council, and which have been delayed by the imperfection of existing Acts.”—Mr Balfour seconded the motion, and it was carried. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Mackay, to acknowledge the receipt of plans and report re irrigation from the Ashburton County Council, and to congratulate them on the completeness and economy of their scheme. After some discussion on the subject of a bridge over the Cpihi between Totara Yalley and Raincliff, it was resolved on the motion of Mr Mackay, seconded by Mr Balfour—“ That the Clerk be instructed to write to the Levels Road Board, that failing an answer to the proposal aheady made re the bridge overthe Opihi at the bead of the Totara Valley, being received before next meeting of the Council, the Council will, on receiving an assurance from the Mount Peel Road Board of a payment of £3OO, proceed, if satisfied with the tender, with the construction of the bridge, and will meet the expense of this and other works now in progress from a general rate, to be struck in the year 1887.” A resolution authorising Messrs Moason and Merchant to prepare plane and spedcations for, and call for tenders for the bridge by next meeting was carried. Accounts to the amount of £122 0s 9d were passed for payment, and the Council adjourned. ___