GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2724, 13 October 1894, Page 2

GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the Geraldine County Council was held on Thursday. Present—Messrs W. Balfour (chairman), White, Quinn, and Maokay. Messrs Howell and Orbell apologised for nonattendance. ■Mr Orbell suggested that the council should pass a resolution protesting against lowering the railway charges between Timaru and Lyttelton, and forward same to the proper quarter. He thought this came within the council's duties as mem • bers who represented a large number of ratepayers whose interest in the success of the Timaru harbor was considerable. Members agreed that the next ordinary meeting should be held on Saturday, the 3rd November, at 11 a.m. The following is the engineers' report:— " Bridges: The protective works contract at Fareora bridge is now nearly completed. The contract time expired on the 30th ult. As it is (important to get the fence and embankment finished without further delay, we served formal notice on the contractors to put on more men and plant. The work generally is being very well executed.— Orari Bridge, • Biverslea: The contractor for this work has made a start with the construction of the protective works.— Tengawai protective works : The race has been cut to give water to the willows in this work. The embankment is being raised by day work in order to finish the work left undone by the contractors.— Water races: Four Peaks water supply— This contract has been executed in a very satisfactory manner, and water is running throughout it. On cutting the race it was fund that the land, though stony on the surface, consisted almost entirely of clay beneath. The fall of the land, being very great, would cause scour in the races, and we therefore have had to do ft good deal of boulder-lining. Rangitata water supply—Some diversions of races in this system have been laid out during tho past month." The reported was approved and adopted. Mr George Crozier reported the Sea* down water races in fair order. On* or two races needed cleaning, notably Mr F. Simmons', near the Washdyke. Mr K. Hoare wanted water at Kerrytown, and the ranger had seen to Mrs Bell's race at Seadown.—One or two matters noted in the report were amplified by Mr Marchant, who is to see to what works are required. The committees of management of Woodbury and Orari-Waihi water-supply districts sent in their monthly reports. The ranger at the former reported headworks in good order, and races fair, with the exception of Evans Brothers' portion, which was overgrown with grass. The Waihi ranger's report was favorable, and the committee had granted Mr Thatcher a supply for a tank on condition that no water was wasted, and also to be subject to the approval of the council.—The council agaeed to what had been done. Mr David Shaw regretted to have to report that there was no quorum at last meeting of the Geraldine Flat manage* ment committee; the races were in a satisfactory condition. Mr John Murray, chairman of the Rangitata -Orari water race committee, said that everything was right. Notices were sent to all the owners complained of in the report for the previous month. Mr Murray also had an interview with the couucil in support of the committee's long letter to the September meeting of the council. Mr Murray laid the whole matter fully before thorn, aud urged the convenience and better working if the committee's recommendations were carried out.

The matter was briefly discussed by the council. It was moved by Mr White, secouded by Mr Quinn, and carried—- " That the request of the Orari-Raugitata water race committee to let the cleaniug of races in that district be acceded to ; the committee to advertise and receive tenders, the same to be forwarded to the council for acceptance, the conditions and specifications, to be made out by the council's engineers, the length of contract to be three years."

The N.Z. and A.L. Ca,Dunedin, wrote asking the council to get the engineer to say what area would be taken of lot 100 and how much of 107.—The information had been supplied, and a rough tracing of the laud referred to had also been sent,

Mr Daniel McNab, Raugitata Station, wrote that he wished to change about two or three ohaius of race which ran in au angle—to make it straight.—The council agreed that the work might be done under proper supervision. The clerk of the Mackenzie County Council wrote asking if the Geraldina council would furnish a statement showing the Quaucial position in relation to their council of th.t portion of the Mount Peel road district which it is propo3od should bo annexed to the Mackenzie County.—The matter of annexation having since falleu through, no action was taken.

Mr J, W. White, aolicitor to the couucil, reported that the amount of rates for which judgment was given, iu

the action Council v. Bank of New Zealand Estates Company was £23 Os Bd. Be Raddon, he had jast received a letter from the solicitors for the owner of the property, and expected a settlement. If the claim was not paid by Saturday proceedings would be taken. In referring to another case, he said that section 39 of the Rating Act, 1882, enabled the council to claim rates from the owner or first mortgagee (as well as the occupier) of rateable property. The occupier is of course primarily liable, and it was only in case the occupier did not pay that the council could proceed against the owner or the first mortgagee. The judgment against the occupier must be unsatisfied for six months before the council could proceed against the owner or first mortgagee (section 37). The course of procedure was set out in sections 38 and 42, inclusive of the Rating Act,lßß2.

Mounted Constable . Crawford and Constable Stanley reported on the slaughter-houses, and forwarded returns of animals killed. After a brief discussion it was moved by Mr Mackay, seconded by Mr White, and carried unanimously :—•' That, a representation be made to the Railway Commissioners stating |how serious it would be for the ratepayers in this district if any reduction should be msde in the railage rates to Lyttelton on frozen meat or any other produce, the taking away of which would tend to reduce the revenue of the harbour; the outcome of any such reduction being that the deficiency has to be made up by a levy on the ratepayers." Accounts were then passed for payment.