GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2490, 15 April 1893, Page 4

GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the Geraldine County Council was held on Thursday. Present Messrs Balfour (chairman), Talbot, Quinn, Howell, Mackay, and Barker. Mr Marchant, the engineer, was also present. WATER-RACES. The rangers’ usual reports were read. The Geraldine Flat ranger, J. Fly, reported that he was leaving the district, and had put on a substitute till the council could make permanent arrangements. — The substitute, A. Jones, to be continued for the present. The Orari-Waihi ranger reported that, as instructed, he had cleaned out some races neglected by the occupiers; ten days’ work.--This will bo charged to the occupiers. The Rangitata ranger reported that some occupiers in cleaning their races had used the plough, and by opening up the shingle bottom had caused all the water to leak away. Many of the races had not been cleaned out. —Mr Marchant said that cleaning out the races on the very open shingle ground even with a shovel would let the water go to a groat extent.—Mr Barker suggested that the races in such country should be cleaned out in winter only. The engineers reported that since last meeting they had completed the survey of the race-linos in the I our Peaks watersupply district, and had plans and specifications ready for tenders to be called. They estimated the total cost of the works and charges at £280.-—A formal resolution was carried constituting the Four Peaks water-supply district, and it was ordered that a special meeting be held on the 24th inst to adopt a special order constituting the district. An application was received from seven ratepayers —Messrs Crowe, O’Halloran, Rice, Wooding, Bennett, Hope, and Barker —on the Fairfield Downs, north of the Hae-hae-te-moana, asking for the formation of a water-supply district. —The engineers to make a flying survey. Mrs O’Connor and Mr F. B. Oldfield, Seadown, and Mr A. Jones, Geraldine, wrote claiming exemption from maintenance rate, as they have an efficient natural supply. . Mr J. C. Orbell wrote complaining that a branch race on Raukapuka had been dry for three months.—Mr Marchant said the water was delivered on the property, but was turned into an old creekbed and was absorbed. A cut race would carry it better. The Land Office, Christchurch, wrote inquiring the cost of watering the block of land on the doivns at Pleasant Point which it was proposed to acquire for a village settlement. —Mr said that, at the request of the Commissioner, he had made a flying survey, and estimated the coat at about £950. Ihe ratepayers on the flat, however, when they heard of the proposal, spoke of joining in it. That would increase the total cost, but reduce the cost per acre. It was agreed that the engineer should send the Commissioner all the information ho can. . Mr A. M, Clark wrote complaining of damage done to the Arowhenua estate by the water-races. He gave this damage as the reason for refusing to pay the rates.—The Waitohi committee wrote that they had considered Mr Clark’s complaint about overflows. Mr Clark refused to clean the races, or do anything to them, until they were handed to him in o-ood order. It would not cost more than £2 or £3 to put them in order. —Mr Marchant said the land was soft and rich, and the race was choked with rushes ; if cleaned out the water would run, and there would be no overflow. — Mr Talbot thought the explanation was that Mr Clark was the last to receive the water. There was no pressure upon him by people below to keep the races clean , they had been neglected, and the water consequently spread over the land. Mr Clark to be informed that the rates will be pressed for, the damage complained of being due to his neglect of the races. The Waitohi committee were recommended to allow the request of Mr Smart for a diversion of race.

BRIDGES. The engineers recommended the expenditure of £2O in willow planting at the various bridges where it seemed desirable. In the case of the Orari bridge, to execute any really effective protective works would cost a very considerable surn of money, which the council hitherto had not sanctioned. A few willows, howevever, might be usefully planted there, at a cost of say £lO or £ls. —It was agreed that £25 in all be spent on willow planting. The Ashburton County Council wrote regarding the stock bridge attached to the railway bridge over the noroh Haugitata. The Commissioners would put tne work in hand. The Ashburton county would have to acquire from the Commissioners a piece of the railway reserve on which to form an approach to the bridge, and this county must do the same at the south end. The railway reserve ou the island was leased to Mr C, Miller, and the council must deal with him.Mr Miller wrote that he would give up his lease to the council, ou condition that they fenced it off before removing his fence. —Application to be made to the Commissioners for leave to transfer the lease. luisnisimsßrEOXis. Mr A. M. Clark wrote complaining of the manner in which some wool waggons were loaded, by having rails projecting from their loads so as to be seriously objectionable when crosring the bridges. He also thought that the owners of threshing muri should bo compelled to put up them platforms whwi travelling on the public mads—Member thought that attention being drawn to tlh-be matters would be sufficient to reduce the cause of complaint. WATER-RACE Mi NAG EM EXT Mr Talbot laid before the council a scheme for the establishment of local committees to tai e charge of the water races, prefacing the reading of it by some remarks on the advantage of local control to both the council and the districts, and on the difficulty he found in drawing up a scheme. Ho proposes that the council shall constitute a local committee of five on the requisition of half the ratepayers (in number and value) in any district; any resident ratepayer to be eligible; annual election to be held early in December (when the farmer is not busy, and the need for attention to races is most urgent, and interest i;i them greatest); election to be by show cf hands —if poll demanded to be taken at once on equal voting power, any dispute to be settled by the council; the meeting may discuss any matter relating to waterraces ; committee to fill any vacancy occurring in their number. The following arc the principal provisions— Subject to monthly report to the council, the committee to have full control as to the manner in which the maintenance of races shall be carried out; may recommend the council to enforce, or to refrain from enforcing, the by-laws regarding cleanring of races ; but may not appoint or dismiss any permanent employees without the sanction of the

council; subject to the approval of the council may grant any application for diversion, alteration, or extension of races, and recommend terms; shall by the Ist April each year submit an estimate of the cost of maintenance for the ensuing twelve months, to enable the council to strike a sufficient rate to provide the amount. Mr Talbot again spoke in favor of giving local control, and, as members desired to get away, it was agreed to postpone consideration of the suggestions till the special meeting on the 24th inst., members in the meantime to be supplied with a copy of them. Mr Talbot suggested that the whole be published so that ratepayers could consider the scheme and offer suggestions for its improvement, but other members considered that the council should consider it first. It was also agreed to discuss the Te Ngawai diversion at the special meeting. The council rose at 1 p.m.