GERALDINE TOWN BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1912, 4 July 1889, Page 4

GERALDINE TOWN BOARD.

Tbo usual monthly meeting of this board was held on Tuesday evening last. Present—Messrs W. S, Muslin 1 (chairman), N. Dunlop, A. White, J. Williams, J. Mundell, R; Taylor, and A. Sherratt. MINUTES. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. chairman’s statement. The chairman stated that since the mistake made on Mr Morrison’s land by the contractor as to the * course of the race, had been rectified, Mr Morrison was quite satisfied to take the 30s per annum previously agreed upon. Messrs Harman and Stevens asked the sum of £2O for the small piece of land required from Mr J. GK Brown’s section. The chairman said that by about 75 yards of additional excavation the race could be taken clear of Mr Brown’s paddock altogether. He had however, offered £5 for the piece required. The board’s solicitor had said it was impossible to get a transfer and title to the board of any of the sections required without a survey being made. He had seen Mr Meason who bad offered to do tHe survey and make a plan for the sum of £6. A small part of the headworks would also be upon Mr - A. Macdonald’s land, and that gentleman had expressed his willingness to meet the board in the matter. Tenders had been received during the month for cement, and that of Mr R. Morrison at 23s lid per cask had been accepted. The actions of the chairmaii were in each case approved of. The matter of a survey was left in the hands of the chairman. It was also resolved fail-

ing Mr Brown's acceptance of the board's offer of £5 to construct the race independant of his section altogether. ' COEEESPONDENCE. Outward correspondence was read and approved of. Inward was read and dealt with as follows : From the Board's engineers and the contractor for the water-race, with respect to the same.—Eead. The ranger's 1 report for the month was read. An exhibition circular was also read. Prom the Manager Bank of New Zealand, (3-eraldine, re the sum of £SOO placed at fixed deposit. From the Auditor-General, covering the annual balance-sheet to March 31sfc, 1889; and also balance-sheet for broken period to May 29th, 1889. oyebseeb's beport. The overseer's report was read and considered satisfactory. The Chairman was authorised to see that all the Board's plant was returned before the next monthly meeting. The working foreman was instructed to repair the footbridge on the Pleasant Valley road, also to shingle the path. It was decided to get a brand aade for branding the Board's tools. It was also decided to have some Blight repairs effected to the office door, and Mr White was requested to get a suitable lock for the same.

DEPUTATION. Messrs B. E. Macdonald and Or, H, Patrick waited on the Board as a deputation from the Geraldine County Fruitgrowers' Association, to know if the Board would lend any assistance towards the destruction of the small birds.—lt was decided to see what action was taken by the Eoad Board. THE TTATEB-EiCB. On the application of the contractor it was decided to allow the clerk of works to proceed to Timaru to pass the timber for the race there. The chairman and two members were authorised to draw a cheque for the amount of engineers' certificate for a payment on account of the race, should the same come to hand during the month. Mr Williams asked for some compensation for the race going through his land, as it was far larger than he thought it would be. It was decided to allow the matter to stand oyer for the present. ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to £64 14s 6d were passed for payment. An account from Mr C. E. Sherratt for asphalting and kerbing in front of the Bush Hotel was referred to Mr McAuliffe, with whom the board had agreed'to bear half the cost. Ifre meeting then adjourned.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY. i LEGISLATIVE COFNOIL. On Tuesday, The following Bills were read a second' time: "Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company's Drainage Empowering Bill; Church Property Trust (Canterbury) Act, 1879, .Amendment Bill-Fire and Marine Insurance Companies' Bill; West Coast Settlement. Reserves Amendment Bill; Religious * Charitable Aid and Education Trusts Act Amendment Bill: ■'■''■ ] ■■■!:.■•-";■ a::^ The Post Office Bill was committed and passed. " '' ' ;n ' ' The Patents, Designs and Trademarks Bill was committed; After clause 126 had been reached, progress was reported. " " ,I( ' i HOU3E 01 EEPBESENTATIVE3. On Tuesday, Replying to questions Ministers said that no evidence was forthcoming at the time of the recent dynamite outrages at Cape Foulwind to warrant Government appointing a Royal Commission to enquire into the matter. There was over valuation of the' securities of friendly societies, but that did not affect" the stated surplus' of the societies; if desired, Government would be' glad to appoint ah official to" make valuations. A number of Bills were read a first time, including one'for the "election; of the Governor of New Zealand.

This Premier v congratulated Mr Balla'nce oh b&irig elected leader 6f the Opposition; He wished to say that it was the desire of the House to discuss the question of represehtatibn before the financial debate was proceeded with. If that was the wish of the leader of the Opposition, Government were willing; to agree with that course. 5 Mr, Baillance thanked the Premier for his congratulations, and'intimated his agreement with the course suggested by the Premier. Mr! Hislop moved the second reading of the Dunedin Street-closing and Licensing .'for closing certain street* ' during the exhibition, ' '" arid granting license' for sale of liquor in the Exhibition' builclirig.--Agreed to. Mr Hislop moved ' J the secbncl reading of tHe Corrupt 'Bill, which provides 'that'witHri 28 "days after an election' agents shall make a return to the candidates of tH<3 expenses incurred. Other points would, he said, IJ n6 doubt be discussed in Committee.—After considerable discussion the debate was adjoured for a week.

The Colonial Secretary moved the second reading of the Registration of Electbra Bill. He briefly explained its provisions, the chief of which were that every person be obliged to apply for enrolment, and the person be not entitled to vote till he has taken out an elector's right, for which a fee of one billing will be paidl—-On the motion of Mr Taylor the debate was adjourned for a week. Consideration of the Estimates was then proceeded withl ' Class 13.—Defence Department. Item £7OO, Under Secretary, Staff Officer, and Inspector 6f Artillery Stores!—Passed without amendment. In the debate on this item the Minister of Defence said the Government had not received a memorandum from Major-General Harding Stewart to the effect that owing to the recent advance in military science the forts of the colony were practically undefended. The Government had been assured by Major-General Schaw thai the forts of New Zealand were in a more advanced state than in any other part of the world. On vote £28,9.12, Volunteers, a discussion arose on the Te Kooti campaign. The Minister stated that the total cost of the campaign was £2610. The Premier at some length justified the action which the Governmeiat had taken, and which culminated in the arrest of Te Kooti. There was danger in Te Kooti's visit resulting in a Maori war, and he was clearly breaking the law by travelling with such a number of adherents.—Mr Ballance said that the Native Minister had made too niuch of Te Kooti when in Auckland, and steps should have been taken at the outset to prevent Te Kooti going to Gisborne. The Government had encouraged the settlers at Gisborne to resist Te Kooti ? by telling them he was a free man, and that they would be arreted if they interfered with him.

Progress was reported, and the House rose.