GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2814, 11 May 1895, Page 3

GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meetiug of the Geraldine County Council was held on Thursday. Present —Messrs J. Talbot (chairman), Quinn, A. White, J. Murray, A. Kelman, and McKay. CORRESPONDENCE. Correspondence was read aud dealt with as follows: From Mr G. J. Dennistoun, apologising for his absence. The Geraldine Town Board wrote with reference to sharing cost of inspection of slaughterhouses, that the board was quite willing to do so if the inspector's salary was paid equally upon the number of slaughterhouses in the district. —Resolved that the board be asked to alter its proposition to a revenue basis, that being the fairest. From Mr Thomas Markham, asking that his name be taking off the roll for water rate for the section he lived on, as he was getting no benefit, directly or indirectly, and had no need for water on his section. —Not entertained. With regard to a letter from the Westland County Council, held over from last meeting, as to the construction of Whit combe Pass Track, it was resolved—- " That this council is not in possession of sufficient knowledge of the pass to make any recommendation." From the Levels County Council, that members had approved of tho proposed protective works at the lower Opihi bridge as explained by Mr Marchant. The council could now call tenders for next meeting. The Levels council had decided to poison, say, 200 bushels of wheat, and supply the Geraldine council with half of same.—Read; dealt with. From the Treasury, New Zealand, acknowledging bank receipt for £264 8s 5d in payment of county's debenture's under "The Roads and Bridges Construction Act, 1882."- Read. A circular was received from the Geraldine County Road Boards Conference bringing certain resolutions before the council.—The couuc : \ approved of the resolutions, and resolved to write to the Colonial Secretary recommending them. With regard to the small birds' nuisance, as suggested in the resolution, they decided to allocate the money for poisoning purposes as follows: —Temuka £150; Geraldine, £100; Mount Peel, £SO. CONFERENCE WITH M.H.R.S. At the request of the council, Messrs Hall Jones, F. R. Flatman, and W. S. Maslin attended to confer with them on matters relating to the county before they return to Parliament. The chairman said he was pleased to see the local members of the House present, as there were two or three matters in connection with the council work they might consider, and there were also a few general matters they might talk about afterwards. The first question was the water race districts. They had some four or five water race districts in the county, and each had been allowed to form committees for their own management of local matters, but the council was not able to delegate these corncommittees any legal powers. The committees advised the council, and practically their advice was accepted; in fact, up to the present time in no case had the committees' advice been over-ruled. It had occurred to members of the council, and to him, that it would be good thing if these committees could be legalised, so that instead of the council simply granting the committees the management of their own affairs, that on representation being, made by ratepayers the council should have no option in the matter, and be obliged to grant the powers. With regard to the powers, he thought the committees might have sole control over their rangers, but as regards the money they require, they could do so as they do now, namely, send the council an estimate of the amount, and the council could strike the rate. The powers would be simply confined to management. Probably if there was alteration in the Local Government Bill a clause might be inserted to give effect to this matter. Mr Maslin asked if there was much expense in working the committees. Mr Talbot said there was no expense whatever, beyond a little stationery and advertising. The idea of the committees was that they could deal promptly with details of the work that the council was not able to attend to. It required a considerable amount of red tape before the larger bodies could go into detail. Mr Hall Jones thought that instead of making the thing compulsory it might meet the case if the council were able to delegate the powers required. Mr Maslin said what was wanted was committee! to have the power to maintain the races and the counc?! would strike the necessary rates. The chairman said they could perhaps hand this power to the committees. Mr Maslin said it would be better not to as it would entail additional expense

by separate banking accounts and books. The council might have the power to make regulations as far as necessary. Some counties might not requi-e such full powers as this. Mr Hall Jones said he had watched with interest this new departure with regard to the maintenance of water races, and he was pleased to see it worked well. He thought it it was a system that other counties might well follow. He would agree with Mr Maslin that a simple clause empowering the council to make the committees legal committees would be all that was required unless they wanted it made compulsory. Mr Talbot said he would not like to force the thing on the majority of the ratepayers, and it should therefore be made optional for the committees. He believed that one committee disagreed with the idea, while others agreed with it. Mr Flatman asked how vacancies were filled according to the regulations. Mr White read clause 13 of the regulations explaining the question. Mr Flatman thought that the clause was objectionable. Mr Quinn mentioned that the Geraldine County was the only oae in New Zealand, he believed, that had water race committee 3. Mr Hall Jones said he would assist the council in aDy way to meet their wishes. Mr Kelman thought that Mr Hall Jones' suggestion with regard to delegating the powers was a good one. The chairman said that tho next thing to be brought under notice was tho Slaughter-house Act. The Act of last session, it appeared, waa intended to consolidate other Acts, and there were some amendments, one of which was to give farmers unlimited license to slaughter, und this did not work satisfactorily. It would be quito right for farmers to sell their stock as they thought lit, but, unfortunately, this left the door open for abuse. Ho thought it bettor to return to the old systom again to, allow farmers to kill for their own uso and for tuoir. work peoplo only, with tho exception that thoy bo allowed to kill pigs in any shapo or form without a license. That oxouiption should bo allowed. Mr Maslin said that clause 50 of tho Act gave tho farmer power to kill for his own use and his work peoplo, but if

clause 51 were restricted to the sale or barter of pigs alone, instead of including large or small cattle, this would settle the matter at once. Mr Jones asked what the objections to the Act were. Was it because farmers were entering into competition with the butchers ? Mr Talbot said it was not the council's business to interfere in the matter of business, but one of the chief objects of the Act was to enable the Inspector to look after the public health by the inspection of meat, and also to prevent as far as possible any sheep stealing. But instead of this the Act made it very difficult for the inspection of meat to be carried out, and also left the door open for sheep stealing, by allowing farmers to kill and Bell indiscriminately. Mr Flatman said the Act was certainly faulty with regard to the inspection of meat. Anyone could kill and sell a caucerous beast without it being detected. Mr Quinn thought it certainly left the door open for a lot of roguery. Mr Flatman thought it was a great injustice that according to the Act a butcher before hewas found not guilty had to prove his own innocence. This clause —39—was contrary to British law. Mr White said it would be impossible for the inspector of the Geraldine County to go around the whole country to inspect according to the Act. The Act might apply right enough in large cities, where they could have abbatoirs, but it would never do for the country. Mr Hall Jones thought, however, that the very fact of haviug an inspector in the district might act as a deterrent in some cases, bnt he admitted it would have very litte effect in others. Mr Masliu thought there should be a penalty for those who sold unwholesome meat. Mr Flatman thought that the Act should reach those who sell as well as those who slaughter. Mr Murray said with regard to the inspection in country districts, perhaps they could not find an inspector that knew auything about when meat was wholesome or unwholesome. It might act allright in large cities where they could have proper inspectors who understood their business.

Mr Maslin said there was no doubt that the Act would be amended as there had been a lot of dissatisfaction about it. Mr Hall Jones said it was quite against common seuse to allow farmers to sell without a license, and he would assist in every possible way to get the Act amended. He certainly thought that clause 39 should be struck out. He believed that clause was inserted at the suggestion of some farmer. It was not in the original Bill. Mr Talbot said that the next question was that of traction engines carding heavy loads on the roads. This was a great inconvenience to ordinary traffic, and a source of danger to bridges, and it very seriously affected the maintenance of road*, while the people who owned these traction engines did not contribvte to the maintenance of roads and bridges. Some authority should be given to the county councils to exact a license fee. The council did not want to interfere with anything that helped the progress and development of the country, but it was doubtful whether traction engines hauling loads did this. Another thing that should interest the Government was that the traction engines were interfering with the ■roads with traffic that ought to go on the railways. Mr Maslin said he supposed they would not interfere with traction engines used for threshing purposes. Mr Talbot said no, the council should have discretionary power to discriminate in this matter. Mr Maslin would hardly favor that, because some councils with discretionary power to define the class of traction engine, might do harm to those who had engines for threshing. Mr Quinn mentioned that he bad seen no less than seven conveyances delayed 50 minutes at the Opihi bridge by a traction engine. They ware a source of dander to life and property. Mr Hall Jones asked how they would deal with those who used traction engines for threshing only. They also damaged the roads. Mr Talbot thought there ought to be some discrimination as to weight. Mr Maslin thought the best way to deal with the matter was to impose a heavy fee for general carting purposes, and give the council power to grant a special parmit, say ia the case of a building or heavy weight having to be shifted for the public good. They could also make the owners register, and charge a nominal fee to those whose engines were used simply for threshing. Mr Hall Jones thought that a £SO license fee might meet the case for a start. All present agreed that a £SO fee would do and the question droopped. The chairman said that the next question was with reference to by-laws. They uo sooner made by-laws than the lawyers upset them. Mr Hall Jones: "It is the same in the House of Parliament." (Laughter). The chairman said at the same time it was necessary that some law should be passed that by-laws once passed should be law

Mr Maslin said that some of the bylaws made by the best lawyers in the colony had been upset. But he considered it should not be that by-laws could be upset by any formalities in the making of them. Mr Hall Jones held Btrongly to the opinion that by-laws should be advertised the proper number of times according to the Act, for if they gave way on one day they might give way on two. They must act up to the Act in the making of their by-laws. Mr Talbot said that once the by-laws had been passed, and the public had not protested against them, they should be law, and should not be upset later on, when the time had goue for protesting. This question then dropped, and the chairman mentioned that ho did not know whether it was worth while to discuss the question of a change in local ojovorument, becausa they knew so very little about the Government's proposed Bill. Mr Maslin : "You know about as much about it as we do." Mr Hall Jones : " And I think we know as much about it as the Government." (Laughter.) He did not think thoro would bo any alteration in local bodies this session. Mr Maslin did not think tho Bill would got beyond being discussod. Mr Hall Jones said it had boon suggested that thoro should bo a modified form of provincialism, but thoro would bo < r reat stonewalling boforo they wwuld allow themselves to bo tacked on to Christ church. Mr Whitu would like to boo town boards removed from under tho county councils, so that thoro should bo no dual rating. Mr Hall Jones : " 1 think you will find town districts done away with if the new i Act is passed."

The members of the House mentioned that they would do their best for the Geraldine County, and, after the chairman had thanked them on behalf of the council, they withdrew. WATER RACE COMMITTEES. The Orari-Raugitata Water Race Committee reported that the water service was not yet satisfactory. The races which gave trouble during the Bummer were not yet flowing to the beach, and there would not be a thorough service till a heavy fall of rain. The race Tuning past Newlands got lost in a bank of shingle in Maori Reserve, and did not make any heading beyond that point. The main race on the north side of the road from Newlands disappeared in Mr Austin's land. Nothiug could be done to carry the water on save puddling, which the committee could not recommend, as it would be too costly. The committee recommend that the council should take steps to get gorse grubbed alongside races running through the land of occupiers who have not complied with the council's notice. The committee could sot alter their decision re Mr ltolleston's application for a concession of rates. While recognising the hardship on ratepayers who had not been supplied with water during the past few months, the committee pointed out that every effort had been made to get the water through, and the by-law exempted the council from any liability. The committee reommended that Mr D. Shaw's application for a diversion of water-race be granted, providing he does not divert through Mr Proudfoot's land, as the latter objects. Mr Dorward's application for a branch race was recommended, and i Mrs McShane'B application for same was not recommended, as it was unwise to dispose of water towards the lower end of the district, for outside the boundary. —The committee's action was upheld by the council with regard to Mr Rolleston's application. The Woodbury Committee reported all races in good order. The willows at the head works were again sprouting With regard to supplying Mr B. T. Evans with water, Mr Barker had reported that Mr Cochrane was not in favor of the race being continued through his paddock. Further enquiries would be made.—The report was approved of. The Orari-Waihi Committee reported on Mr Orbell's application, and recommended lhat Mr Orbell, having sustained considerable loss, that he be allowed a concession of £lO on his last year's rates. Mr Thatcher and Mr ttadford had prepared specifications for diverting the race at Mr Hewson's, and tenders would be called for the work. Mr Thatcher had resigned his seat on the committee, and Mr Metcalf would be asked to take his place. A letter was received through the OrariWaihi Committee from Mr M. C. Orbell, that if he could be guaranteed a permanent supply of water in both races running through the Raukapuka property when water is coming from the head works he would pay £25 per annum until the end of his lease.—The report was approved of. The Waitohi Plat Committee wrote that the race was in a satisfactory state, and that the ranger had honestly discharged his duties. Mr Price had purchased the property lately owned by Messrs Smith & Stickings. GENERAL. The chairman explained with regard to poisoned wheat that the Levels County Council had found that they were unable to poison wheat for the Geraldine County on account of not being able to get a con • venient place to operate in. But they had suggested that if the Geraldine County Councij joiued them in the expenditure of £ls they could make sufficient accommodation for both counties. Mr Talbot thought this was the best thing to do. He had also been informed that the Levels County were not competent to sue for rates uncollected, and it would be necessary for the Geraldine County to assist them. Then the agreement between two Counties had been drafted, and he (Mr Talbot) had signed it, and soon he hoped to see the whole matter settled satisfactorily and the money paid over by the Levels County Council that is due to the Geraldine County. Mr Quinn made an explanation with regard to the poisoning of wheat, and it was resolved—" That the matter be left in the hands of the Levels County Council to deal with and that the Geraldine County will join in the expenditure to meet any arrangements they find necessary." RATES. Mr Quinn asked if the council had any objection to Mr Stnbbs going 1o Timaru to produce the rate-roll in court if the council takes action to secure their rates outstanding. Mr Stubbs was authorised to take any steps necessary to collect the rates in question. The question of striking a general rate was left over till the next meeting of the council. It was resolved to strike the following rates for maintenance in water-supply districts : Rangitata and Orari cr. £4l, expend. £lßl 3s, a three-farthiug's rate a Woodbury cr. £9 15a 3d, expend. £34, •, twopenny rate; Orari-Waihi cr. £lB, expend. £53 12s sd, a penny-halfpenny rate ; Geraldine Flat cr. nil, expend. £64 5s 4d, a threepenny-halfpenny rate; Waitohi flat cr. £43 6s lOd, expend. £122 2s, a three penny rate. The interest accounts for the watersupply districts to March 31st were : Rangitata and Orari, rate 3/8 of a penny in the £, £173 9s 4d, credit £203 13s Id, expenditure £l4B 2s 3d. —No rate required. Woodbury, rate 7/16 of a penny, £3l 9s 4d, credit £22 Is 3d expenditure £29 16s Bd.—Rate to be collected. Orari-Waihi, rate 1-1/6 of a penny, £l2B, credit £11619s 7d, expenditure £B9 9s 2d. —Mo rate required. Geraldine Flat, rate Id in the £, £64 2s lOd, credit £59 4s Id, expenditure £49 16s 6d.—No rate required. Waitohi Flat, 9/16 of a penny in the £, £lB9 12s 2d, credit £9l 6s 9d, expenditure £l7B 18s 3d.—To be collected. TENDERS. The following tenders were opened for protective works at the Opihi : —John Pearson, £682 Is ; Fitzgerald & Nichols, £620 16s ; D. Gregan, £855 ; Sherratt & Co, £595 (accepted). The council then rose.

Amateur Athletic Spouts.—At the sports on Wednesday the 2.10 Yards Flat Rice was won by A. S. .M. Poison, with E. A. Robinson second; 200 Yards Boys' Race by F. Knubley, and (!00 Yards Handicap by W. T. Johnston, Tho results the of the otherevents were given in our last issue. On Thursday the meeting was coneluded, weather being wet aud svretched, and the attendance poor. Thrt Ilalf-jMile Handicap was won by J. 1$ L ilutheri'ord, 150 Yards Flat by E. A. Robiusou, TwoMile Walk by I 1 ."11. Chisholtn. 1i.'.0 Y;rd.s Flat by A. SV. Opie, Two-Mile Bioycle Handicap by C. Hall, Quarter-Mile Handicap by McDonald, Mile Flat by R. Purr, l"_'n Yards Flat by E. A. Robinson, ThreeMil:} Bicycle Race by J. Orr, l.Vi Yanla Roys' Handicap by P. Lindsay. Two-Mile Flat by B. Jones. Obstacle Race by A. F. Boys. E. A. Robinson won the Championship with s points, J. B. L. Rutherford coming second with 7 points, and Poison aud Boys next with 5 points ouch,