GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2318, 13 February 1892, Page 2

GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Tlio monthly meeting of the Geraldine County Council was held at their offices on Thursday. Present Messrs W. Balfour (chairman), Howell, Talbot, Quinn, and Mackay. Among the correspondence dealt with was the following : water work;-;. Tixe ranger at (Jrari Flat reported a good flow of water, and things working satisfactorily. The Geraldine Flat ranger reported in the same manner. The ranger at Woodbury reported a heavy Hood on Monday, and that he would not be able to know for a few days if any damage was done. The Ranger at Rangitata reported that he needed help to clean the races and attend to the fords; he also sent notice about the growth of gorse, and the owners of land are to be written to about it. The Seadown ranger reported a flood on Sunday, but that everything had worked satisfactory. He had that morning made an inspection, but found no damage done. The clerk of works (Mr Radford) reported at length on works under his charge. No 1 contract, Waitohi was now done with, and the ranger had taken charge, his duties having been explained to him. The effect of the heavy rain on the new woi’k had caused a few slips upon the terrace, and a few of the embankments had settled down. The repairs would be seen to by the ranger. The engineers (Messrs Meason and Marchant) reported as follows : “ Water races The whole of the Waitohi water supply works are now completed, including the extra branch races, and have been taken over from the contractors. “ Floods—As far as we have heard, the late floods have not caused any considerable amount of damage to the Sounty works. During the flood, and when it was at its greatest height we specially examined the head works of the Seadown water supply and the Opihi bridge. The water in the case of the Seadown case was under the most perfect control, and not a shilling’s worth of damage has been done to the headworks and gear there as far as we could see. In the case of the Opihi bridge all the protective works stood admirably and without the slightest damage. Mr Radford specially visited the new Waitohi works while the flood was at its highest. He reports that the headworks are perfectly secure and undamaged, and that the only damage done lias been from a few small slips along the big terrace, and the settling of some of the embankments. Such things as these must be looked for until the earthwork become consolidated and the grass has grown.”—The report was adopted.

Mr M. C. Orbell wrote for information ! respecting the right of water supply through Raukapuka, and the agreement with Mr Postlethwaite, and a reply is to be sent. In reply to Constable Willoughby the clerk explained that under what section of the Act action was taken against a man for placing an obstruction in a water race. Mr A. W. Campbell, of Cooper’s Creek, asked for a refund of the amount paid by Mrs Campbell for maintenance rate in the Rangitata Water Supply District, as he had ho right, to pay the same.—Members decided that the money should be refunded if there is no water race on Mr Campbell’s section. The engineers reported on a matter connected with Mr Humphrey’s races at Seadown, in which they had been blamed for neglecting to lay them off. The engineers replied that they had not been directed to do so, and in a conversational discussion between Mr Marchant, the clerk, and members of the Council at this meeting, it appeared that a slight misunderstanding had arisen. Mr Marchant said that they had seen Mr Humphrey repeatedly, and nothing had been said about the work. However, they would be in his district in a day or two, and would attend to what he wanted. Mr W. Cook wrote a long letter complaining that Mr John Talbot had been interfering with the water supply by stuffing a bad in the race; and to this charge Mr Talbot also wrote a lengthy reply, stating that there was no foundation for Mr Cook’s complaint, and that I the bag had been placed in the race by the clerk of works, Mr Radford, so that he could get a supply of water to the ratepayers lower down. Mr Talbot had had nothing to do in withholding the water from Mr Cook. A long letter was further read from Mr Radford explaining what he had done, and stating that Mr Talbot in no way interfered with the race. Mr Howell moved, Mr Mackay seconded, and it was carried unanimously—“ That Mr Cook be informed that his charge against Mr Talbot has been enquired into, and that the council consider his charges entirely disapproved by the evidence adduced; and further, that the council is determined to take legal steps against any individual who interferes with the water supply unless such is done with the approval of the executive council.” [Mr Talbot deslrec to retire while this business was on, but the chairman and other members saw no necessity for him to do so.]

MISCELLANEOUS. Mr T. Palmer, of Temuka, was granted a license to slaughter on section 8748, the chairman of the Temuka Road Board approving of the same. Mr 0. G. Bradley forwarded a cheque for £7 8s 6d, and return of dog collars sold, The secretary to the Treasury forwarded a statement showing the advances made to the council on account of loans under the Government Loans to Local Bodies Act, 1880. The loans were all for ■ waterworks purposes, the total amount of advance being £8550 ; inscribed debt, £8738 8s Id; half yearly interest on inscribed debt, £2lB 9s 2d. He also wrote that the loan of £3OOO for “ enlarged Waitohi Flat Water Supply District” had been remitted to the credit of.the council at the Bank of New Zealand. The Inspector of Weights and Measures forwarded returns for the period ended January 2nd, and there were also other returns from the Inspector of Slaughterhouses, Ac. ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to £O4l Is 9d were passed for payment, and the council adjourned.