GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2763, 15 January 1895, Page 2

GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

The jfjonthly meeting of the Geraldine *v Council was held on Saturday. Coun “ 1 ' iu ho L Talbot (chairman), Present Messrs . Kolman, Mackay, White, Deunistoun, > and Quinn. An apology was road from Mr Murray. . The engineers reported as follows . Orari Bridge, Rollestou’s Road : this contract is proceeding satisfactorily, and should bo flnishod in four or Svo weeks Opihi Bridge, Main Koad : Wo would remind the council that the question of repairing the northern part of this bridge, or diverting the river, must uot be lost

sight of. If any action is to be taken in connection with onr report of 11th April last all preliminaries should be settled shortly so that the work could be commenced next May as recommended in that report. Bangitata Water Races: We visited these works last Monday. Two races are flowing in Mr Bolleston’s land, but the southern races intersecting and fronting Newlands are giving great trouble. Gorse has overgrown them, and causing the loss of nearly all the water flowing. We are doing our best to staunch the leaks, but it will not be satisfactory until new races are cat quite clear of the gorse thickets. This is the last meeting at which we shall occupy the position of general supervisors of the county works, consequent upon the division of the county. We beg to thank the council for the mr.ny kindnesses and great consideration we hare received during our long connection with them.” The engineers’ report of April last was read, recommending that the northern half of the Opibi brigde be not reconstructed when it requires it, but that the river be confined by a willow fence and enbankment.

It was resolved, on the motion of Messrs Mackay and White, that a copy of the engineers’ report on the Opihl bridge of April 11th last be sent to the Levels County Council, with a request for en expression of opinion from them as to the desirability of carrying out the work proposed for restraining the river; also to inform them that the super vision of the bridge should be undertaken by either their council or the Geraldine council as may be agreed np6n. The opinion was expressed that this council ought to have the control. In regard to the Bangitata races, Mr Merchant said that the ground is a good deal cracked, and the water flows away. The gorse had Ibeen out on Nowlands, but the roots still led the water away.

On the last paragraph of the report the chairman remarked that bo far as he knew the connection had been pleasant and satisfactory. All the works, and there had been some important ones, M been most satisfactorily carried oat. The wafer systems had been constructed by the engineers, and had proved most valuable at a moderate cost. A letter from the Levels council inquired how much strychnine this council have on hand, and what it was proposed to do with it.—-It was stated that there are 3300 z. in stock, and it was agreed to divide the stock.

The Orari-Waihi committee reported that the river had been low and left the filter-box, and the ranger had to dig a channel to bring the water to the race. Mr Gould’s tender, at £3O, was accepted for the post of ranger.

The Geraldine Flat committee referred to the council a claim by Mr AlUn for remission of rate. —lt was stated that Mr Allan pays only interest rate, and it was determined to let it stand.

The Waitohi committee reported and supported an application for water for four sections by Mr Chapman, the applicants to bear the expense. The ranger reported that the races had been tampered with and damaged several times, and considerable quantities of water wasted. The committee resolved to hand over such cases in future to the council for prosecution. The ranger asked for the return of the “ harpoon ” used for clearing roots out of the filter-box. The committee respectfully requested that the services of the engineers be dispensed with. The. rate presses heavily, and all expenses ought to be saved -where possible. It was agreed that a stop must be put to all wilful damage to races, by prosecution, if necessary. Mr C. Miller, Rangitata Island, wrote offering to repair the fence leading to the stock bridge if the material was sent him. There was a dangerous hole in the road that ought to be filled in without delay.— Letter received. The Geraldine Town Beard wrote offering the free use of their building for the transaction of the council’s business.— The chairman and Mr Dennistonn to examine the two offices offered next Tuesday. In reply to some inquiries regarding slaughterhouse license fees for farmers killing for sale, it was decided, after a long discussion, to obtain Mr Whits’s opinion on the matter, and if this is in favour of a differential commutation fee such fees to be accepted, with a minimum of £l.

A long letter was read from Mr Kinnerney on the question whether the severance of the Levels county from the Geraldine county excludes the former from the South Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid District. Mr White had given the Levels council an opinion that the severance does so exclude the Levels, and therefore the new county is not liable to pay, and cannot pay, a contribution to the board. The Levels council were willing and desirous to pay if they could do so legally, and it was agreed to take further advice, and the chairmen of both counties laid the case before Mr Kinnerney. The latter is of opinion that the severance of the county does not exclude the new county, either as to liability to contribute to the Hospital and Charitable aid Board, or as to representation on the board, except temporarily in respect to the latter. Mr Kinnerney supported his opinion by numerous quotations from and references to the Hospitals and Charitable Institutes Act. He furthermore pointed out that the last levy made having become a debt of the district before the severance the Levels was liable for that in any case.—Members considered the opinion most exluuslive and conclusive.

A letter from Mr Tothill, Invercargill) urged that Californian thistles should be carefully cut down on the raod lines — Mr Keltnan said there was a good deal of this thistle in the Waihi riverbed. It would be the biggest enemy the farmer could have.-*-The chairman said he did not know much about it, but he recollected that every new weed was going to ruin the country. The road boards would be the proper bodies to look after the thistle on the roads.— Mr Deunistoun thought the Agricultural Department ought to make and bear the expense of experiments on the eradication of the W eed. —Mr Maokay said he had tried sulphuric acid on tiro thistle in vain. It burned it down, but it came again. — It was agreed to send a copy of the latter to the several road boards in the county with a recommendation to taka action if necessary.

Accounts were passed for payment to £741 Os 4d, including £3Ol 3s 5d for half year’s interest on the various water race loans. The council rose at 1 p.m.