GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1878, 13 April 1889, Page 4

GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the Gmldine County Council was lull on VvcU:;. s-i y. Present,—Messrs W-. ILifnur (cu.in nr-: •;). E. Meakuy, W. M. Moore, wG Barker. Au apology waa received from Mr Howell.

Mr Balfour drew attention to a paragraph in a newspaper report of the last meeting to the effect that the Council had made some remarks derogatory to the engineers, and after some remarks it was decided that a denial of the report be inserted in the minutes.

The chairman stated that everything had been dene in connection with the formation of the Orari-Wnihi and Geraldine Flat w«ter race districts, except the faking of the poll. A sum of £ISOO had been asked for, for both districts, which was /veil over the estimates. The work could be gone on with as soon as the poll had been taken and the money obtained. A writ had been received from Mr Silcock for alleged balance of claim due to him on the Kangitaia water race contract, the amount being £7Bl 2s lid. ihe writ had been handed to Mr While with instructions to defend the action.—The matter te Mt Silcock was considered in committee, and it was decided to secure another solicitor to assist the council’s solicitor in tbe case. —The clerk stated that the new assessment of the whole district was £106,000 less than the old one. Three letter aware read complaining of Mr J. Wareing’s herd of pigs befooling the water in a race at South Orari, and it was decided to request Mr Warning to remove the pigs from the paddock. The Toianka Road Board requested the Council to improve certain race crossings in their district, which were complained of by two largo ratepayers, who stated, one that ho could not cart his grain, the other that he could not get a threshing mill to his crops.—The ranger was authorised to do the necessity work. Mr J. Noble, Woodbury, complained that the race had not been taken to his section—only to four out of the twelve sections in High street, the owners of which, paying the rate, wanted water. It was stated that the writer had objected to having water in the first instance. —A race to be cut to High street if possible. Messrs W. Corbett nod W. Middlemiss asked for a small diversion of the race on their farms. —Agreed to. Mr Oldfield had an interview with the Council with respect to a /ace on a farm lately occupied by Mr Arraitage, at Kerry Town., When the latter was in possession he did not want the water, but the present occupier did want it. — f l he cost of laying on the water would be £lO, and t>fter reading the engineers’ report it was decided to Jay on the water, provided Mr Oldfield paid the coal. This was the course tbo engineers recommended. The engineers, Messrs Measoo and Marchant, ‘reported as follows :- u Seadown water-rte:s: These works are now completed in all respects, with the exception of the willow work at the head race, which wo think had better not ho commenced for another month. Mrs M. Hoare’s application : Tina property is watered, and if the owner requires au extension of the races we- tbit.-k she should pay the cost then iff. —Oran Fiat water-race : The contiact survey ot the head race of this district has been finished, but we have not fatten able to get the pirns ready for this meeting. —Woodbury waterraces : These are generally in a satisfactory state. The ranger complains of damage done to the races by want of proper fie-ci crossings on private land. We huva asked the county clerk to communicate with the parties concerned. ( . A letter was read from Mr O, G. InpP with reference to iho head works at Oran river, which was before the council at last meeting. He said the statement of the engineer, ns published in the newspapers, with regard io.their interview was hardly correct. Howc'-mr, he considered the site clioteo by Mr M-reliant, the bos>» •. ,kod for plans, me., of the wont to be

:->nvar«kd to bia solicitors. The euc'neer said when the were completed copies would be given to Mr Smbbs to fo r ■ to Mr Tripp’s solic tors. These wouL shO'V him exactly wlu-ro the races won"’ un * A letter was H*ad from the Govern , lt! asking why steps had not been tak HU j;0 reinstate the Lower Pareora bridge, and Biating that if the works were not, commenced by the 30th inst., Government would do the work and charge it against the coußcl, several petitions having been xeceivod from ratepayers asking for the work to be done. A long discussion ensued, after which it was resolved oa the motion of Moore, seconded by Mr Barker “That the Government be informed in reply to their letter of April 6th that the Lower Pareora bridge has not been repaired by this council because they consider that the large expenses incurred by such repair are greater than the benefits will warrant, and that they believe that largo numbers of ratepayers are averse to incurring such expense ; and that further they consider that no steps shoul I be taken to commence repairs until those ratepayers opposed to the expense have an opp rtunity of expressing their reasons to the Government, and also of ascertaining whether a better site cannot be obtained in the event of the woik having to be done, ’ Mr J. Fraser wrote on behalf of the settlers at Waitohi F at, forwarding a resolution requesting the council to take a poll, and other steps, for a supply of water to the district named.

A slaughterhouse license was granted to Mr M. Buckley, of the Orari, subject to the consent of the r l’emuka Road Board. Accounts were passed for payment and the meeting terminated.