GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1711, 15 March 1888, Page 3

GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

A special meeting of the Council was held yeeterday. Preient—Memri Balfour (Chairman), Howell, Baker, Moore, and Hajhuret. The Chairman reported that the formal notice in reference to the Seadown watersupply had been gazetted. The Engineers’ report in referenoe to the condition of the various bridges, etc., under the control of the Council were read.

A deputation from the Waimate County Council, consisting of Meisrs MoLaran, McPherson, and Kerr, waited upon the Council in referenoe to the Fareora Bridge. •—After some debate, in which Mr Howell exprened the opinion that before it woe decided to carry out (be proposals of (he Engineers public meetings of ratepayers •hould be called to consider the matter, it .was decided that representatives from both Councils and the respective Engineers should Bust oh the scene on Friday next, at 2 o’clock, and confer together. The Waimate delegates thought the bridge could be repaired so that it would stand for ssveial years it a cost not exaeeding £SOO. The Engineer reported that Mr Siloook bad made very little effort to push forward bis contract. The work should have been finished before harvest. He had been working with insufficient hands, and the consequence was that while repairing one part of his work the other parts were going backward. Mr Siloook interviewed the Council, and stated that the cause of the delay was that he tendered for the work without going over the ground. When going over the ground afterwarda be found be bad underrated the difficulties. He had also had considerable difficulty in getting his plant to band, and the harvest had made it him to get bands. In reply to the Chairman he said the penalties incurred already amounted to £IBO, and if ho did bis best they would amount to £l9O before he could finish the contract. If the Council enforced theee penalties he should have to “file"; if they would remit them he would finish the work in five weeks.—The matter was considered and the Chairman then informed Mr Siloock that if he completed the work in five weeks concessions would be made, and he thought he would base no reason to complain of them.—Mr Silcook expressed himself satisfied.

She matter of: the Oxford -Temuka Bailway Bridge was left ever till after the settlement of the Parepra bridge*. The Geraldine Boad Board wrote with' drawing their application, to the Council ia regard to the Bakahu Bridge. Mr 0. Or. Tripp, Orari Gorge, Woodbury, wrote enggeiting the construction of a twofoot tramway to Kakahu over the OxfordTemukarailway bridge in preference tore* moving the bridge, but it waa not favorably entertained.

Formal notice of the election of Licensing Committees was read by the Chairman.

Bereral circular* of a formal nature from tils Treasury Department were read. It t*a* decided, on the motion of Mr Howell, that the Seadown water-supply be proceeded with as soon as the Qorernmcnt proclamation U iianed. A _ resolution was passed instructing the Bngineer to proceed with preparation of inmy and plans for the Woodbury water* supply work. Accounts were passed for payment.

It was resolved—" That the Clerk notify that all rates duo will be sued for, unless the game he paid before April 15tb.” The Council then ad journed..

The Omaha Hotel, three miles south of New Plymouth, was burned down at II o'clock on Tuesday night. A gale was blowing at the time, and the licensee, Mr Paul, and hie family barely had time to escape. The hotel was insured for £2OO. Nothh-g was saved.

William Luker, residing at Karsngahape road, Auckland, committed suicide on Tueiday by taking a quantity of rat poison. He said he was tired of his life. Luker leaves a wife and family inEngland. He was once an inmate of the Whau Asylum, and was only liberated in November last. i. X, Bennie, one of the '* Canadian doctors ” who have been creating some sensation in Dunedin recently, was arrested at

Dunedin on Tuesday afternoon on a charge ' of indecently assaulting a girl of 14, who is deformed. The assault is alleged to bare been committed in Eennie'econiultiig room, iallaaie street.