GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1816, 15 November 1888, Page 3

GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

"The monthly meeting of the Geraldine County Council wee held yesterday. Prerant—Messrs W. Balfour (chairman), W. B Howell, K. Maokay, V. M. Moore, J. T. M. Hsyhursfc, and B. A. Barker. The minutii having been read and eonfirmed, the engineer*’ report wa* read as follow* m _ " Bengitata-Orari Water-raoe*. Everything in connection with thi* district i* in a latiifaotory *tate, We have examined the line along which Meim ■ Eolleston and Ainy have applied tor a branch race. We estimate the oo*t of the work at about £55. Whil*t impecting the woes in thi* district yi were informed of many intended applications to the Council for extension* of race*. We think notice should be given to the ratepayer* of the water district* requiring application* for extensions o! race* to be 1 mime before a certain date, bo that they can all be impeded and reported on to- 1 •ether. Woodbury Water-race All the < work* in connection with thi* district axe, • with a few trifling exception*, in a satis* factory date, and a full flow of water is running through the race*. Seadown Water-races—Work on contract* Nos. 1 and 2 is proceeding iati*faotorily. We have aettled the objectioni to the northern race in a manner beneficial to all partiea concerned.’ A letter wa* read from Mr Joynt, solicitor i f Christchurch, on behalf of Mr S. Siloock, demanding a prompt settlement of balance due on a water-raoe contract carried out by hie client for the Council. Mr Siloock alio wrote refusing to accept the sum of »17 in full lettlement of all claim* under hi* con-tract.—-The chairman explained that the difference between the measurements of the Council’* enginaer* and Mr Siloock wa* about £6oo—the engineers’ (measurement* of the work amonnting to £9OB, and Mr Silcoek claimed £1505. The engineers had kept back the mm of £UO for non-fulfilment of work according to contract. Mr Merchant, one of the Oouneil’a engineer*, aaid his firm had gone through the work done by Mr Silecok, and they found that ha (Silcoek) had not a ihadow of a claim. After aome debate and a further statement by the engineer, it wai decided that the matter be referred to the Council’* solicitor to proceed with. . .. .. . Mem* Harper and Co., solicitor*, of Christchurch, wrote on behalf of Mr Tripp, laying that th*ir client had no wiah to make nnreaionable claim* agaimt the Council. If the matter went to the Oompenaation Oonrt, their oliant had little doubt he could recover an amount equivalent to that now made. They aiked, on behalf of their client, that a definite aettlement be come to.—The engineer ■aid the claim of Mr Tripp wa* for severance of land; there had been no aeveranoe, and his land had not been injuriously affected. He (the engineer) read extract* from the Dramage Act, and recommended that it should bo carefully looked into by the Council. It was decided to get a legal opinion upon the point raised by the engineer. Finally it was ■greed that Mr Tripp be tendered the original * amount agreed upon. The Geraldine Boad Board and others wrote calling attention to the rough and unfinished state in which the water-race, fold*, and onlverts had been left in the Woodbury water-race, itating that large unbroken stone* were left, and end* of culvert* were unprotected. Complaints were • frequent in the district over the matter.—lt waa decided that the Engineer to the Council and the Clerk of tha Boad Board confer on the aubject. Mr A. Sherratt, Eangitata, wrote aikmg perminion to bring water into hie property for watering atook.—The application was granted, subject to approval of engineers. A petition from the settler* in the Waihi Flat district wa* read, aiking that a water* supply be permitted from the Orari Biver. The engineer*’ estimate for the work was £76o.—Mr Barker said that as a preliminary ■tap the property-holders should get the consent of persons through whose property the race would flow. This would save the Council much after-trouble.—Mr Howell concurred with the view taken by Mr Barker, except that it waa the province of the Council to take these precautions.—On the motion of Mr Howell, it was decided that the usual steps be taken towards acoeding to the constructing of water-supply work* between Orari and Waihi Bivers.—At a later stage Messrs W. Postlethwaite and Hewitt waited on the Council as a deputation aiking that, if possible, the work be completed in time to be of service during the present summer. They asked if settlers were in a position to guarantee would that facilitate matters f—The Chairman aaid Yes; but a difficulty would arise in the Council getting possession of the land.—Mr Postlethwaite thought the principal peraon .interested, Mr O. G, Tripp, would • not raise any objection, as he waa anxious that the work should be gone on with. Bo far as the guarantee was concerned he thought * there would be no difficulty in obtaing that. as possible. The engineers gave a report on the supply * of water to the Geraldine Flat water district. There were no exceptional difficulties in the way i and the cost would probably be £550 ; but in order to have something to come and go upon they recommended that a loan of £650 be obtained. The supply would' b= taken from the Hae-hae-te-moana Biver ; but aa the supply of water in thie river io summer was very low a filter-box would be sanlr very low in the riverbad, thereby guaranteeing a regular supply.—lt was decided that the usual steps be taken to have the supply granted.