GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2514, 10 June 1893, Page 4

GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the Geraldine County Council was held on Thursday. Present—Messrs W. Balfour (chairman), R. Mackay, J. M. Barker, M. Quiun, J. Talbot, and W. B. Howell. engineer's report. The engineer's reported that tenders for 50 spans of the Opihi Bridga would be laid before the council; that to increase the width of the Tengawai Bridge would cost £3OO to £350. They reported as follows on water races :—We have of late visited the various water race districts. The headworks and headraces are generally in a satisfactory state. We are having some inexpensive willow protective work executed at Seadown and Waitohi headworks. We have laid off branch races in the Rangitata district on the properties of Messrs McCarthy and Musgrave. There is no objection to the works they desire, except in the case of Mr McCarthy, who desires in addition to a loop race a small flow of water to supply some paddocks, and which flow must run to waste. We think this should be permitted on sufferance only, and while an ample supply of water was available, and that such flow should not exceed the rate of 5 gallons per minute; with these limitations we recommend that his application be granted. We examined Mr Clark's complaint concerning overflow of races in the Waitohi district. The facts are these :—The race complained of traverses somewhat uneven ground, the hollows being banked through, and the higher points being deepened; the soil is deep and naturally moist, and when formed into embankment is not so impervious to water as we could wish. From time to time while the works were in our hands we maintained the embankments as they sunk. On visiting the ground now, we find the embankments have further settled considerably, the water leaking through them and overflowing in places, the race is much overgrown with rushes and weeds which ponds the water back on the embankments. The result is that several acres of land are at present water-logged. To amend the cause of complaint is a small matter pecuniarily speaking; it could probably be done for less than £3, including a drain pipe in a hollow where required. Four Peaks water district—We have plans and specifications prepared for this work. We ask the council's instructions concerning it. WATER RACKS A resolution was passed confirming the special order and constituting the Four Peaks water supply district. It was resolved on the motion of Mr Talbot and Mr Barker—" That the engineer's report on Mr Clark's complaint be referred to the Waitohi Committee, and that they be recommended to arrange with Mr Clark to do what is required in the way of raising embankments in places where the water overflows, as soon as possible afttr Mr Clark has cleared the races." A letter was read from Mr Flatman, asking that Messrs Metcalf, Hewsou, McLean, Thatcher, and O'Neil be a committee for the Orari-Waihi water supply district; also a requisition asking that Messrs D. Shaw, E. Burke, W. Budd, A. McKenzie, and J. A. Kelman be appointed for the Geraldine Flat district.— Both requests were acceded to, the term of office to the till the next election of the Council. TENDER. Tenders for the Opihi Bridge were opened as follows :—T. Henderson £2473 15s 8d; T. Pringle, £2650 9s; W. Fletcher, £2758 ss; D. McKay, £2835 4s; A. Swanson, £2839 2s 2d; Clinch & Lloyd, £3470 6s. The tender of Mr T. Henderson was accepted. The chairman stated he had arranged for an overdraft for £2OOO to carry on the work PROTECTIVE WORKS. Mr Howell moved and Mr Mackay seconded " That a sum of not more than £250 be expended in diverting the river Tengawai under the traffic bridge." A Jong discussion took place on this, and finally it was carried by the casting vote of the chairman, and it was decided to call fur tenders for the work. SMALL BHUiS. Wilh regard to a letter received from Mr Flatman, it was resolved to accept responsibility for killing small birds for two years and Messrs Talbot, and Howell were appointed a sub-committee to carry out the arraugement. After passing a motion giving notice of a rate of a farthing in the £ the council adjourned until 2 p.m. this day, Saturday