GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1829, 15 December 1888, Page 3

GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

A meeting of this council was held; on Wednesday. Present Messrs Balfom (chairman), Howell, Moore, Mackay and Barker. After the minutes had been confirmed, The chairman said his opinion was that they should pay Mr Tripp's claim. He had awn the plan as prepared by Mr Shaw and bo far as he could see it was quite correct. Mr Tripp asked that a bank of Bhingle should be kept intact, and their engineer had explained that the .council were bound to keep the shingle there for it protected the race. Mr Howell said had their engineer made the Burvey the cost would Dot have been ao great as it was made by Mr Shaw, Ibe plan drawn up by the latter was most elaborate, and took in a lot of work which it wis not necessary to have. He (Mi Howell) objected to pay the claim id Up entirety, amounting to some £7O. The chairman said the claim was £64. A conversational discussion then took place on the various items in the account, more especially on the plan, in the course of which Mr Howell said if it had been his own money he would have bought it. He had opposed it in the public interest. Mr Mackay then mcved, and the chairman seconded:-" That Mr Tripp's claim be paid, including £5 for a bridge over the race where Mr Tripp thinks necessary. Mr Barker only voted against this, Messrs Moore and Howell not voting, and the chairman declared the motion carried. Mr JS. Connihan had an interview with the council re damage done to his crops by Cattle. He claimed a sum for damages. It was explained that the contractor for .'the Seadown works was responsible; that | if any trespassing had taken place he | 'could be proceeded against at once, and that thiß had not been done, thus showing \ ■that he should have fenced the land in Before breaking ground. It appeared that he was working at his own risk. It was resolved to call the attention ot the contractor to this, and leave the whole matter to be reported on by the engineers. Mr Mackay said they had returned two representatives on the High School Board, and at the last meeting of that body a Msolntion was carried dismissing the Rector in a most abrupt manner. He thought the council would be glad if their representatives gave eome explanation. The council's representatives undertook to lay Mr Mackay's request before the High School Board of Governors at their next meeting. A letter was read from the contractor of the Seadown water races, asking for an extension of time.—No action, taken as the matter had not been reported to the engineers. , tU Mr Orbell asked for an extension of the water race now being made on the Levels Hains on to the Land Company's properly, and wishing to know what extent of land would require to be rated.—Engineer to fBDOrt A letter was read from the Geraldine ' Boad Board »e obstructions in the rivers, consisting of. gone, etc. The Temuka itaad Board also wrote asking that Koad Boards be given greater powers to prevent the spread of gorse from native land*— Resobed that the Geraldine Road Board be authorised to remove (at their own expense) any obstructions in the river-beds Within their boundaries, provided they do not encroach on private property. Two special orders were then agreed to, (1) referring to the Waibi and (2) to the Geraldine Elat water supplies. The Hospital and Charitable Aid Board wrote demanding £5616s 2d, being second instalment for year. The engineers report was as follows : " Seadown water races.—. These contracts axe proceeding satisfactorily. We hope to be able to turn water into some of the races in about three weeks' time. Wo suggest that on completion of the race* we have arranged for notice should ba given by advertisement to the ratepayers of the district, calling upon all those who require extensions of the races to make application t© that effect before a certain date to be fixed by the council, so that we can finish any extra work the council may autherise all together. Orari-Waihi water races;-The Seadown works having required continual attendance on our part we have not been able to spare time to inspect and report oa the diversion of Urn head race required by Mr Tripp, but hope to be able to do so in a few days." Mr Munro was granted £5 a year for the use of a road through his property at the Lower Pareora Bridge. Accounts were passed for payment and the meeting terminated.