GERALDINE TOWN BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1673, 15 December 1887, Page 3

GERALDINE TOWN BOARD.

The adjourned monthly meeting of this Board was held in the office on Tuesday evening last. Present — Messrs J. Mundell (Chairman), E. Taylor, J. Williams, J. A. Quinn, W. S. Maslin, N. Dunlop, and W. Berry. MINUTES. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. oorresponbencb. Outward correspondence was read and approved of. Inward was read as follows : Prom Messrs Marchant and Meason, stating that they were willing to make the preliminary survey for a waterrace for the township for the sum of £4 4s, under certain conditions. From Mr J. H. Baker, Commissioner of Crown Lands, Christchureh, informing the Board that there were no funds available for forming the streets in the Village Homestead Settlements, and that one-third of the receipts from such settlements was not payable to the local bodies. Prom Mr Gavin, Paymaster General, stating that the sum of 10s, collected during the month for summonses, had been paid to the cridit-of the Board. Prom the Geraldine Eoad Board, informing the Board that they declined to undertake the repairing of the bridge. Prom the Clerk of the Temuka Eoad Board, covering copy of resolution passed by that Board re the attempt to divide the Hospital and Charitable Aid District, and expressing their objection to the same. Prom MrS. Buxton, M.H.R., Wellington, informing the Board that he would endeavor to forward the plan and schedule applied for as soon as possible. Prom Mr J. Sperrey, Property Tax Commissioner, advising the Board of the alterations necessary to be made in the supplementary roll in sending in demand for current year’s rates. Prom the Colonial Secretary’s office, Wellington, covering copy of original petition to have the Geraldine district proclaimed a Town District. Prom Mr Haaeldine, Under Secretary, asking what would be the most convenient day for the proclamation altering the present Licensing District and constituting the Geraldine district a Special Town District.—lt was decided that January Ist would ho a convenient date. PromMrHennr Baughen, calling the attention of the Board to the ininfficiency of the drain to carry off the storm water near his house, and suggesting that the Board should attend to the same.—The Overseer was instructed to report upon the same. Prom Mr J. Boutcher, calling the ‘ attention of the Board to the landslip near his property. —The Overseer was instructed tcreport upon the same. From Mr N. Dunlop, requesting the Board to erect two horse posts in front of his store.—Granted. OVERSEER'S RETORT. The Overseer’s report was read and dealt with as follows; Gbhtlbmbk,—Sinos your last melting the town district faai »ufend to a certain extent ty the heavy hailstorm which, aa you are doubtless aware, surcharged the culverts and more particularly in th* lower lower end of the district, I was compelled to put on laborer* on the Sunday to do what they could in clearing culverts from th* accumulation of all kinds of rubbish. Most, if not all, the damage has been made good, A little gravel would do good between Mr Gibion’s and Mr Dunlop’s. The gorse has been cleared off the road alongside of Ooembe’ section and th* drainage of Mr Mcllraith’s asotion, Fronde's and Young's is nearly complete. The flood as referred to above eompletely wrecked a culvert oa High Street, and tbie iled te the work being done in draining the low sections on Wilson’s street, Th* time h«e arrived for making out the valuation list for th* year 1888 ; also arrangements should bo made for a supply of dog collars, resolution fixing registration fee, and where dogs can be registered. During tbe month I have received £23 10s 6d for Town Board and £6 7s for Domain Board and paid the (amounts into each account separately.—l.am, •ite*

0. £. jSKBBBiXT. It was decided to do the wof k near Mr Dunlop's. The Clerk web authorised to prepare the valuation list.

The matter of the dog collars was left in the hands of the Chairman to make the best arrangements with Mr Connolly. The fees were fixed the same as last year. TENDIBS. Tenders for the Board’s advertising for the ensuing twelve months were opened;— From the Geealdhte Guabdiait at 3s per inch for first insertion, and Is 6d per inch for subsequent insertions. The Timaru Herald offered to do the work as cheaply as any other paper in South Canterbury. The specifications containing a clause that the Board would reserve to itself the right not to give the whole of its printing to the successful tenderer, the Clerk explained that he thought it advisable to insert this clause, as the office tendering might do the advertising cheaply, but if sure of the printing might charge what they liked for it. Mr Quin said he thought the question of the printing contract lapsing should have been mentioned at the last meeting. He did not believe in the Chairman, Overseer, or anybody else making the arrangements. Such things should come before the Board. The Clerk explained it had not occurred to him when making out his report for the last meeting, and it would have been rather late to leave it to the present meeting. Mr Maslin said it was one of their by-laws that specifications should lay upon the table seven days before any order should be taken on them.

On the proposition of Mr Dunlop, the Board expressed their approTal of the specifications. Mr Quin did not consider the Herald’s a legal tender; other gentle* men might think as they liked. Mr Taylor considered it as legal as the other.

Tht Chairman thought tho sum should certainly be abated. Mr Maslin thought so too. After some debate Mr Maslin moved — “ That the tender of the Ghasdian: be accepted,” and at the same time he deprecated the letter ■enfc.—Mr Quin seconded it. Mr Williams moved—“ That the tender of the Timarn Herald be accepted.”—Mr Berry seconded it. After some discussion the proposal and amendment were withdrawn, and Mr Dunlop moved, Mr Berry seconded, and it was carried—" That no tender be accepted, and that the Board decide from time to time what papers shall receive the advertising and printing.” It was decided that should anything crop up between the Board’s meetings it be left to the discretion of the Chairman. THE POUHDKEEPEK. A long discussion took place with regard to authorising the present poundkeeper to pound the stock wandering in the Town District. Mr Dunlop thought he would be willing to impound them in consideration of receiving the foes. Several members said they had interviewed him on the matter, and he had definitely declined to do so unless he were a paid servant of the Board’s. Mr Quinn proposed, and Mr Taylor seconded—" That the present ranger be authorised to pound the cattle wandering in the Town District at tho remuneration of £6 per annum.” Mr Dunlop moved as an amendment, *and Mr Maslin seconded pro forma —“ That nothing be done in the matter until Mr Herlihy had been interviewed upon the subject,” Finally it was moved by Mr Maslin, seconded by Mr Berry, and carried—- “ That applications be invited for tho poet of ranger at a fixed salary of £6 per annum, three months’ notice on either side to terminate the agreement. The applications to be in in a week, and the Chairman and Works Committee to accept the application.” It was decided that the third time a person’s cattle were taken off the streets the owner should be summoned.

accounts. Accounts amounting to £25 3s 8d were passed for payment, and the Board then resolved itself into a LOCAL BOARD OF HEALTH. The Inspector of Nuisances’ report was read, but no necessity for action arose out of the same. A meeting of the DOMAIN BOARD, was then held. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. It was decided that the present lock be taken off the pavilion and a new one put on, and that the key be kept at the Board’s office, and that any person or club refusing to return i the same after applying for it should not be allowed the use of the ground. Mr Maslin applied for and obtained the use of the small park on Boxing Day for the purpose of holding a Sunday School picnic. The suggestions from the public meeting held for the purpose of considering ways and means for the parks were then discussed. With regard to suggestion No. 1, it was decided that any person desiring to have a private entrance into any of the parks, be allowed the same on condition of their constructing a gate —to be approved of by the Board—and paying a fee of £1 Is per annum for the privilege. An amendment by Mr Taylor, “That the gates be free so long as erected to the approval of the Board,’’ was lost. He suggestion No. 2, “That the I various Clubs be asked to contribute j Is per member towards tbs Boards

funds.”—The Board entirely approved of the suggestion, and decided to request tho Secretaries of the various Clubs to collect the subscriptions and pay them over to the Board. Re suggestion No. 8, “That subscription lists be started, and the town canvassed.”—The members heartily agreed with the suggestion, and decided to place subscription lists in the hands of the mover and seconder of the resolution —Messrs Pearpoint and Ward.

The other suggestions called for no special resolutions. It was unanimously resolved—" That no person be allowed to cut or interfere with the grass in any of tho parks, or roll it for any purpose whatever without first obtaining the permission of the Board, and that no horses or vehicles be allowed to be taken into the small park.” Members were strongly averse to horses or vehicles being allowed to enter the park, and it was decided to have a notice board painted and erected at the park gates.—Mr Taylor generously offered to supply the same free of cost to tho Board. It was decided to serve a notice on Mr Walton, the lessee of the large ;iark, to have the gorse cut and the 1 fences trimmed, otherwise the park would be re-let.

Members were unanimously of opinion that more stringent measures should be taken to keep the parks in order and to maintain their attractivenew.

It was decided to borrow the sum of £2O for the purpose of meeting existing liabilities. Accounts to the amount of £0 4s

were paaeed for payment and the meeting terminated.

At a meeting of the Westland Education Board it wai resolved that owing to the reduction* made by the Government, three month*’ notice of termination of agreement be given to all teacher* in the employ of the Board. A man named Miller, one of the erew of the Eliza Birth, sow at Greymouth, when going on board about ten o’clock on Tueiday night, fell between the wharf and the vessel and disappeared. He ha* not been seen einee, although dragging ha* been reiorted to. A man named Fhilpotts has been com* milled for trial at Dunedin for wife desertion. At the Invercargill Supreme Oourt on Tueiday Ah Bung, indicted for stabbing Ah Tack, a brother Celestial, pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to two years’ hard labor. A little girl, Florence Mary Murdoch, was drowned on Monday by falling into a creek at Earekere, sear Mannkau Heads, Auckland. H.M.S. Diamond, from Sydney, arrived at Auckland yesterday. Ur* Fairfax the Admiral’s wife arrived by the Ze Anan. It is proposed to have the formal opening of the Calliope dock early in January, while the Admiral and squadron of five warship* are in the harbor. The kelson, Opal, and Bavonn, are on their way to Auckland. The Marquis and Marcbionets of Drogheda arrived at Auckland yesterday morning by IheTe Anau. A eoal seam 6 feet thick, has been discovered at Hnnua, 26 miles from the city of Auckland. It is believed to extend over 413 acres. Brown a seaman on the cutter Spitfire, was accidentally killed yesterday at the works of the Nsw Zealand Sugar Company, Auckland,