GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2463, 11 February 1893, Page 3

GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the Geraldine County Council was held on Thursday. Present —Messrs W. Balfour (chairman), J. M. Barker, M. Quinn, W. B. Howell, and J. Talbot. BRIDGES. Mr A. Mee, representing the deputation which waited on the Council last month, interviewed the Council again, and apologised for the absence of Mr Orbell, who was to have accompanied him. Mr Mee, for the benefit of those who were not present at the previous meeting, repeated the leading facts and arguments in favor of the diversion of the river Teugawai under the traffic bridge at the Point. The chairman spoke in favour of granting the demand, his principal argument being that the Levels district supplies half the rates and has a comparatively small share of bridge expenses. Ho did not agree that diverting fences were yet only experimental. Mr Quinn had made inquiries among large farmers up there, and they told him they did not want any more money spent on the river.

In reply to a question Mr Marchant said the river could be diverted near the bridge, but then they could not be sure it would not get behind their works above, and if they went to the weak place above there would be room for it to get back again before reaching the bridge. To turn it above, however, would be effective for some time, but they could nob ensure permanency.

After a discussion lasting about an hour it was agreed to defer a decision till a full meeting is obtained (Mr McKay being absent), and it was also agreed that it shall not now be dealt with except at a full meeting. A petition was received from settlers in the Orari-Rangitata district district protesting against a bridge being built on Rolleston’s road. The principal traffic was on the main road, and any bridge should be erected there. — Reply to be sent that the Council have come to no decision regarding the bridge, and before they do so the interests of the petitioners will be consulted. It was suggested that if a stock bridge is decided on, one could be attached to the railway bridge. WATEH RACES. A “ special order ” was adopted, constituting the Four Peaks water supply district.

The Waitohi Committee wrote asking to be relieved of the payment of engineering, which they did not require.—lt was explained that a moiety of the engineer’s salary was distributed among the water districts. —Mr Talbot supported application on general ground" . t j ie must come when the Vnust take fuU charge of the races, and if the engineer was not wanted the ratepayers would surely have a right to object topay for him.

Reports from the rangers were read. They reported a good deal of vegetation in the races, and neglect of cleaning by farmers, who were busy harvesting. Mr Shaw, as chairman of a meeting of ratepayers, Geraldine Flat, reported the election of a water-race committee, Messrs A. Kelmau, A. McKenzie, D. Shaw, R. Taylor, and J. Allan. It was resolved by the meeting that the council be asked to sanction the following scheme : —“ The committee to appoint the rangexj, fix his salary, and have authority to sen that he keeps the race in good order to their satisfaction ; the council to levy and collect rates sufficient to pay the ranger’s salary and other reasonable and necessary expenses.”

It was decided to hold over the Geraldine letter for a month, and Mr Talbot promised to draft a scheme for general adoption.

The question of liability for payment uf ‘i maintenance ” rates by persons who have a natural water snpply was brought up, and the engineer was instructed to go round and assess the arrears exempted by the new Act, Accounts amounting to .CIO 18s (id for work done in clearing races on Geraldine Flat (which ought to have been done by ratepayers) were ordered to be sent to the ratepayers concerned. .MISCEin.ANKUUS, The chair; a ;iV| j*utl secretary wore u |s tl",ictod to lodge an objection against the borough valuation of the offices. The tender of Mr D. S. Pearce, for lease of 8 acres of land at the Waitohi headworks, at 10s per acre per annum, was accepted, Tiie usual reports of the inspectors of slaughterhouses* were received and wore fairly satisfactory. The meeting then terminated.