GERALDINE TOWN BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2735, 8 November 1894, Page 3

GERALDINE TOWN BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Geraldine Town Board was held on Tuesday evening. Present—Messra A. White (chairman), W. S. Maslin, G. Ward, H. B. Webster, J. W. Pye, W. H. Walton, and J. M. Sutherland. CORRESPONDENCE. Correspondence was read and dealt with aa tinder :— From Mr Amos Sherratt, complaing of a nuisance caused by his neighbor's (Mr Grindall's pigeons on his roof.—Received. From Mr N. Sherratt, applying for permission to erect two rooms in front of his house, next Mr Fyfe's residence.— Upon plans being handed to the chairman of the board and approved of by him permission will be granted. From Mr L. Coogan, asking that his name be taken off the rate roll for land now belonging to Mr Robert Larkin, and substitute the latter's name.—Granted, aubject to Mr Larkin's consent. From Mr T. Dickens, asking that Mr J. Riordan's name be placed on the rate roll for section lately occupied by him. — Granted. From the Timaru Harbor Board, sending resolution passed at their last meeting, "that in view of the Government assuming control of the railways in a short time, they be asked that any reductions to be made on the carriage of

frozen meat may not be made on long distances, if such redaction is made with the view of favoring one port as against another; if reduction is to be made it should be from freezing works to the nearest port." —This board would heartily support any movement that would foster the trade of Timaru. From Mr Benjamin Gibson, requesting that the footpath in front of his section next the flaxmill be attended to. —Works Committee to get work done. From the South Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, informing the board that its contribution would be due on December Ist next, viz., £5 14a sd. Passed for payment. GERALDINE FIEK BRIGADE. *"• The secretary of the Geraldine Fire Brigade wrote under instruction from the brigade informing the board that a concert would be held on Tuesday, November 13th insc, in aid of the medal fund, to which they requested the patronage of the chairman and commissioners. Mr Walton, being asked to explain, stated that the concert was being got up to provide long - service medals for members of the brigade, a very laudable effort, which the board should support. The chairman thought that the brigade might let their long-service medals Btand over for a time. He would sooner see the entertainment got up in aid of the relief fund for the sufferers by the Wairarapa disaster. If Geraldine could afford to send about £3O Home to Dr Barnardo, he thought something could be done for the object mentioned. Mr Walton said he had made such a suggestion to the brigade, and at a special meeting they would be discussing the matter that night. He was afraid the time was too short to alter the arrangements to make the concert a success. It had already been altered once. Mr White thought that an alteration could be made without much trouble. The brigade could hold their concert over till after Christmas and the board would then no doubt assist them all they could. The Wairarapa affair was a case of great distress, and should have the sympathy of every citizen in New Zealand. Mr Webster thought the brigade • might wait another three months for their long-service medals, while if anything was to be done for the Wairarapa sufferers it should be done at once. Mr Maslin believed that an entertainment was certainly better than a subscription list for raising funds for the object mentioned. It was resolved on the motion of Mr Maslin, seconded by Mr Webster—" That we accede to the Geraldine Fire Brigade's request, but at the same time would earnestly recommend that, considering the dire disaster which has overtaken the colony by the wreck of the Wairarapa, the whole of the proceeds of the entertainment be given to the relief fund for the sufferers in the wreck." FIRE POLICE. The secretary of the Geraldine Fire L. Brigade wrote stating that the following members had been selected to be sworn in as fire police, viz.: Captain Walton, Lieut. Wioefield, Foremen Kraus, Brown, Robson, and Dean.—Confirmed. INTERVIEW. Mr J. Huffey waited on the board asking rebate of rent on the section leased by him. He considered he was paying more for the laud than he got out of it. Things were very much altered since he took the section over nine years ago. Mr Huffey, at the request of the board, put in a statement showing that the section had cost him up to the present £165 18s 9d, less £lO granted him by the board on a previous occasion. In reply to the board, Mr Huffey said he did not want to get out of his lease, but he considered that instead of paving £l2 he should be paying £8 for it at the present time. The board resolved—" That Mr Huffey be allowed £2 rebate for the current year, without prejudice to his lease; such rebate to be made ijuarterly, starting

f from November lßt. L THE PAN SYSTEM. y In accordance with notice of motion, Mr Sutherland moved—" That the existing resolution with regard to the charges for the nightsoil be rescinded." Mr J. W. Pye seconded the motion, which was carried. With respect to making the new charges, Mr Webster suggested that the matter be left over till the finance committee have their report on same ready. The finance committee, he said, had not met yet. They could carry on as before for the present month. The following tenders were received for the position of town scavenger: — James Crafer, £7O; A. Jones, £54; C. Groves, £SO. — Mr A. Jones's tender was accepted. Mr Webster said that he hoped the contractor would \ be thoroughly instructed in what he has to do. He must ewpty everyone's pan in the town, and iu. the event of opposition or obstruction he hoped the board would tako the necessary steps without fear or favor to bring the parties concerned before the '"<# Court. Mr Sutherland asked what about those persons who, ho believed, intended to build concrete cesspools to outdo the board. The chairman said that whatever cesspools anyone built would still havo to bo emptied by tho board's scavenger, and

would also have to be built to the board's satisfaction. FENCING The matter of the board's dividing fence between their property and the road board's property was brought up, and it was resolved— « That this board apply to the road hoard to join them in erecting a new fence, and that the nature of the fence be decided upon by the works committee and whoever the road board may appoint." BATES. Mr Webster suggested that the finance committee enquire into the matter of a section from which no rates were derived. BUILDINGS. Mr White mentioned that he had three houses going up in the town, one for Mr Finch and two for Mr K. Morrison—-6-roomed houses each—he asked permission from the board for the erection of same. He could give his word that they were being built in compliance with the board's by-laws. Mr Webster thought everyone should be treated alike in this matter. He moved—" That plans of the houses mentioned be submitted to the works committee for their approval." BACK SIRE&TS. Mr Ward referred to the back streets, and Baid they ought to be formed now that so many new houses were going up in the vicinity. overseer's report. The overseer's report was read. The overseer was askeu what had been done with regard to Mr Lawlor's contract, and he stated that Mr Lawlor did not put in an appearance to go over the work with him. Mr Webster said that seeing that it had been stated that the specifications had something to do with the work not being carried out properly, ho contended that proper specifications aliuuld be obtained for each class of work under the board. He thought that a committee should be formed to go into the whole matter. Mr Ward said it would be a standing disgrace to the board if they passed the contract referred to. Left with the works committee to deal with. DOG TAX. Kesolved —" That all owners of unregistered dogs in the town be summoned." STRAY CATTLE. Resolved—" That a letter be written to the police drawing attention to the number of stray cattle at large." The board then rose.