GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2020, 15 March 1890, Page 3

GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of this council was held on Wednesday, Present—Messrs W. Balfour (chairman), Moore, Quinn, Barker, and Howell. The engineers reported that the contract for repairing the decking of the Opilii bridge was proceeding satisfactorily. Complaints were made to them of the recl<l-ss way in which traction engines were driven over this and other bridges in the county, the drivers apparently running across U top speed, to the injury of the decking and unnecessary straining of the bridges. The Qeraldine Koad Board drew attention to the condition of the Orari traffic bridge, the decking and side rails being in a dilapidated condition, and requiring constant attention to preyent accidents. A discussion took place on the general question of the County bridges, in which the opinion wa3 expressed that the desirability of rating tor the purpose of maintaining the County bridges should be made a test question at the next election. It was decided to ask the Geraldine Road Biard to continue to attend to the Orari bridge for the present in the way of slight repairs, and if it is deemed dangerous to close the bridge altogether. It was decided to post up at all the bridges extracts from one of the council's by-laws forbidding traction engines from crossing bridges at a greater rate than two miles an hour, and forbidding the drawing of the combine close behind the engine. On the motion of Mr Howell, seconded by Mr Barker, it was resolved—" That No. 2 plan for converting the Lower Pareora bridge into a stock bridge be decided on, and tenders for the same be cailed for at once." Offers for insuring the whole of the County bridges were considered too high. The engineers reported as follows : Geraldine Flat Eaces.—This work has been practicaly at a standstill lately on account of harvest operations having interfered with it. We think the council should give the contractor notice to complete the work in, say, six weeks' time, which would be a fair allowance for the

execution of the remainder of the contract. Orari-Waihi Races.—The embankments of theae races have settled down considerably and are being overflowed at many places. We have directed (she ranger to work full time at raising them until they have fully subsided.

W. Gould, ranger for the Orari-Waihi races, reported a good flow of water at the intake. Some person had been tampering with the brake at. the junction, turning most of the water down one branch damaging the embankments considerably.

A. Gynes, ranger on the Kangitata races, reported them all in fair order, but the gorae was growing over the race badly in places.

G. Ciczier, ranger on the Seadown races, reported all in 'order, and a good supply of water all through. Mr 1). Hoare wanted a small supply of water. Mr D. Heffernan had put a fence across the race, and in doing so had put two posts in it, and contracted the width so as to back up the nater. In order to keep up the supply of water the ranger had cut another channel in the riverbed at a cost of £2 ss. Some of the embankments had settled so much as to require raising, and he asked for authority to get a horse and dray for three or four days to cart stuff on them.

It was resolved to sue Mr Heffemau unless he removes the obstruction. A letter from the Geraldine Road Board gave permission to the council's contractor to take stone from their reserve for the Geraldine Flat race works.

A petition was received from ratepayers on the Waitchi Flat asking the council to again take a poll on the question of raising a ban for the construction of water-races

for that district. The petitioners stated that on the last occasion the poll would havft resulted in favor of the proposal had not some votes been given against it in error, and now there were some in favor of it who were formerly against it. In reply to questions it was stated that the cost of the last poll amounted to about

£8: I /Altogether £93 had been paid out • of the County funds on account of these proposals, and there was no means of getting the money back unless the scheme

was carried out. Mr Talbot wrote urging that the petition should be acceded to, ftnd, after a short discussion, on the motion of Mr Quinn, seconded by Mr Barker, it wa3 resolved that a poll be taken.

Mr G. Marshall, Arowhenua, asked for, and was granted, a supply of water on 50 acres near Young's Creek. Mr D. Boare's

application for an improved supply was also granted, a loop race to be cut for the purpose, and Mr Quinn was given permission to make a dead-end drinking hole.

Mr Iripp was granted -a supply of water at a rental of £1 a year, the water to be resumed .by the council whenever it may be necessary. : The Mount Peel Road Board forwarded plans and descriptions of threo road lines which they wish to have formally cosed, and asking the council's sanction to the proposed closures. A petition signed by eight ratepayers was received against the closing of oae ot the lines specified.—The petition and plan to which it related was ordered to be sent to the board. Thn closing of the other two lines was sanctioned. The closures were all for exchanges, made necessary by the encroachment of the ltangitata in and near Peel "Forest. I Mr Moore brought up the matter of the Conference of Coumy Chairman winch was convened at Dunedin and fell through. The few delegates >vho attended suggested that a conference of county chairmen in each provincial district might be held more easily than a general one. There were several matters which required attention ; for instance, the making good of. deficiencies in water race loans, and many points in connection wi'h the administration of charitable aid.—lt was resolved, on the motion of Mr Moore, seconded by Mr Howell—" That the Chairmen of County Councils and Charitable Aid Boards in the provincial district of Canterbury be asked to attend y conference to discuss county matters, charitable aid business, and necsssary amendments in local government, with a view to making suggestions to Government before the meeting of Parliament, and that this council suggest that such a conference should bo held in Chris'church about the third week in April." Accounts amounting to £287 18a 5d were passed for payment, and the meeting terminated: