AROWHENUA TOWN BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2201, 14 May 1891, Page 3

AROWHENUA TOWN BOARD.

The regular monthly meeting was held last night. Present Messrs A. Frew, E. Carr, and E. Brown. Mr Brown was voted to the chair.

CORRESPONDENCE. Correspondence was read— From the Clerk to the County Council, notifying that the board’s contribution to the limaru Harbor Board would be £9 3s lOd, and he requested that the half of this sum, £4 I6s lid, might be placed to the credit of the limaru Harbor Board prior to the first of June. From the same, making demand for payment to the credit of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board of the sum of £3 6s lOd, half of the board’s share to hospital and charitable aid for the year ending March 31, 1892. a copy of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board’s balance-sheet was also forwarded.—Passed for payment. From Mr P. Ooira, applying to have the name of Mr J. F. Douglas placed on the roll in respect of sections 409 to 420.—-Mr Douglas consented to the same, and the exchange was ordered to be made From the. National Insurance Company, notifying date of premium due on policy pf insurance. overseer's report. The overseer reported to the following effect:— The ford at Tavender’s bridge bad been altered and made of easier grade. The creek cleaning at Washington’s reserve as authorised bad been completed, and a new gate had been made and hung at the board’s premises. With the exception of work at the creek two men bad been employed for two days with a horse and dray. The roads were in fair repair and would not require much attention during the continuance of fine weather. ACCOUNTS. Accounts to the amount of £l2 6s 4d were passed for payment and the meeting terminated.

GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL. The monthly meeting o' the Geraldine County Council was held yesterday. Present—Messrs W. Balfour (chairman), W. B. Bowel!, R. Mackay, J. B. Barker, J. Guild, and M. Quinn. chairman's statement. The chairman reported that since last meeting the committee authorised to act therein had accepted Mr K, G. Kerr’s offer of premises in Church street for offices at £I2OO. With Mr Merchant he had attended at Pleasant Point a meeting of ratepayers interested in the proposed water supply to the Tongawai Flat and Levels Downs. At the previous meeting he was authorised to see the chairman of the Waimate Council and Mr Elworthy with reference to taking water from the south side of the Pareora. He saw those gentlemen, and after a conversation with them he wrote a letter saying this council would give up to them half the available water when required for water supply on the south side, on condition that they paid ha f the cost of the head works and head race to the point of separation. It was stated that there was sufficient water to supply both districts, but before any steps were taken a particular report on that point would be obtained. [A letter was read later from the Waimate Council giving permission to take water in accordance with the terms of the chairman’s letter]. It must be remembered that the council had already borrowed £3OOO this year, and could only borrow £3OOO more, while they had two schemes in hand, the Otipua and Tengawai supplies. Either of them would cost more than £3OOO. WATER RACES.

The engineers reported “ We have called for tenders for No. 2 contract of (he Waitohi water works. The head works contract i* proceeding satisfactorily. All tbe branch extecsionß of races authorised have been laid out, and the various instructions given from time to time have been attended to.’’ “ Special orders " were confirmed striking rated on the Waitohi water supply district to provide interest on loan. Mr Radford, clerk of works, reported on the progress of the (Vaitobi bead race. He thanked the council for supplying him with a portable hut. The several rangers reported on the condition of the working races, all satisfactorily. Mr A. Kelman wrote complaining of unfair division of water between him and Mr Shaw. If he did not get what he bargained for he would not pay the rates.—Mr Marohant said he had done bis best to make a fair division, and there was no pleasing Mr Kelman. If be got all he wanted Mr Shaw would have leas than he was entitled to. Mr W. Postlethwaite wrote complaining of short supply of water. —Tbe ranger having been written to, replied that the races had been kept full to overfljwlng.— Messrs Flatraan aod Metcalf complained to the council that there was too much water in tbe rases, so that the banka were being scoured and in places there were oveiflows. They did not object to acy quantity of water going down that wa< required for stock, but they did not see why they should have their laud damaged in order to supply a person outside the district with power for machinery,—lt was remarked that the council did not undertake to supply Mr Poatlethwaite with as much water a* he wanted, but only with the ordinary tail water. He ahou ! d not aak for more, and on the other hand the settlers above should not divert water that Mr Postlethwaite paid for. Mr K. McDonald, Geraldine, asked to have a water coarse, used as part of 8 race, cleaned out.—Declined.

Mr H. Woodley, Rsogitate, asked for pipes to carry race water across a road. — Granted. Mr C. N. Orbell waited on the council with reference to the Teogawai and Levels scheme. He produced a note slating that at a meeting ot ratepayers at Pleasant Point, a resolution was pawed’by five to two that those interested io the Fiat scheme agree to join in the larger scheme.—After some conversation on the subject it wns decided that Mr Orbell should proceed to get a petition signed for the combined scheme, the council being of opinion that it would be iheir doty to adopt the scheme calculated to do “the greatest good to the greatest number.” BRIDGES. The engineers reported as follows : “The Geraldine toad bridge repairs have been satisfactorily completed for the aura of £267, being slightly under coor tract price. The bridge is now in a sound and thoroughly strong condition. The piles are all driven for the Teogawai stock bridge, but the woik is now being delayed for want of timber. Wo have commenced the work of opening a ford across the Opihi river on the main road, and purpose at the same time planting up the willow plantations on the noith bank of the river where required.’’ A copy of a resolution was received fio n the Mount Peel Hoad Board protest iog ngamat the closing of the Oreri bridge, and threatening to petition the Minister of Public Works to compel the council (0 maintain it.

A copy of a resolution passed by the Geraldine Road Board wag also read, requesting the council to strike a rate to repair bridges, and giving reasons for maintaining tbe Orari bridge. A petition was also read from farmers reaiding north of tbe (’ran and near the Main South Road and railway. The petitioners set forth that they are largo groworo of potatoes and grain, which they hare to cart across the river to get to the railway station, and they asked for an investigation of their ease and a share of the'expenditure of public money. A statement of the produce to be carried ever the river was given—>33sl tons of potatoes and 760 tons of grain. Mention being made of traction engines endangering brides, it was stated that a bylaw is in preparation by which it will impose a charge of £1 for taking a traction engine across the stronger bridges and forbids them crossing tbe small weaker ones at all Messrs C. G. Tripp, Flatman, White and Metcalf had a long interview with the council respecting the Orari bridge and Mr Tripp stated fully the case of the petitoners for the maintenance of the bridge. Messrs Howell and Guild vehemently opposed the redecking of it. After some dicussiou a vote was taken, resulting as follows ; —For redeckiog the bridge, and making it a l rathe bridge, Messrs Balfour, Quian, Mackay, and Bmker, against it, and for making a stock bridge only, Messrs Howell and Guild, After soma discussion Mr Guild handed in bia resignation, as be said he would not sit on a council which spent money so extravagantly.

WAITOHI WATER-BAOB. Four tendeia for the above work were received ami that of Mr Calvert for £591 wan accepted. [The remainder of this report will appear in our next Usae.]