GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 13 April 1926, Page 4

GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Geraldine County Council was held yesterday. Present—Messrs Iv. MaeKonzio (chairman), J. M. H. Tripp, M. Guild, T. Lyon, F. R. Flatman, J. J. Ellis and J. G. Kclland. CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT. The chairman stated that as a result of action taken by the South Canterbury Automobile Association, too Ashburton County Council had agreed to postpone repairs to the Rangitata traffic bridge until after the holidays. Mr Flatmnn and himself met the Ashburton C«mity Council, and had suggested a. .scheme of Mr Bremner’s for a small section of portable overhead decking which would take the traffic while repairs were being effected to short .sections without any inconvenience to traffic. The Ashburton Council had promised to look into that in going into the question of repairs. Ho considered that it would be impossible to think of closing the bridge lor repairs, as it was the only traffic bridge over the river, and he had taken a very definite stand against any closing of the bridge. It was unanimously agreed that the action of the chairman and Mr Flatman bo approved, and that tho Council strenuously protest against any proposal to close the bridge. The Engineer reported at some length on work carried out during the month. . Arising out of tho Engineer’s report it was resolved that it be a recommendation to the incoming Council to provide on the estimates for the purchase of a one-ton truck. It was also resolved that a swamp plough be purchased, FINANCE COMMITTEE. For the Finance Committee, Mr F. Flatman reported that since last meeting receipts were ns iollowsPublic Works Department, OpihiArundcl £523 16s Id; Upper Orari Bridge £593 16s 4d ; Goraldine-Fnirlio £62 6s I0d; flood damage £400; refund Water Loan Account £254 ids 3d; Mackenzie County Council, Opuho bridge £177 Iss sd; motor lorry licenses, Timnru £322 7s, Ashburton County £7 6s 2d. Ashburton Borough £6 Os' Sd, Mackenzie County 15s; general rates £9Ol 12s 4d; arrears £SB 3s Sd ; penalties £7l 8s Sd; water rates £24 5s 5d ; dog registration £9O I9s, motor drivers’ licenses £133 ss, rents £l3, refund River Board administration expenditure £SO; contractors’ deposits £35; refund birds’ account £6 Is, miscellaneous £6 12s 6d; total £3759 Is Id. There was still over £SOO outstanding for general rates, but final notice has been received by every ratepayer, and all were aware that the next notice would be a summons. At March 31st Here was a credit balance at the Bank of £756 7s 9d which had since been increased to £1655 17s Id, to which had to bo added, cash in hand £6B 5s Bd. Payments to bo passed that day amounted to £2044 6s, which included wage.s paid out on March 20th £417 6s Cd, leaving, them with a debit balance of £502 16s Od. The chairman stated that considering the flood damage expenses that had to be met, the position at the end of the financial year could bo considered as very satisfactory.

CORRESPONDENCE. A communication was received from the Ashburton County Council advising that owing to holiday traffic, repairs to the Rangitata Traffic .bridge had been postponed until further , notice.— Received. The New Zealand Counties Association advised that a conference of delegates Mould be-hold at Wellington on July 20th. . . Mr Flatman referred to the question of the 10 per cent, penalty for rates, and considered that an..attempt should be made to have a remit put through at the conference to. provide for the penalty being placed on unpaid rates 1 u- three months. He said that the rates had to bo paid in any case, and it would prove a great benefit to the Council. An effort could also be made to get the -rate demands out a -month earlier, which would greatly assist the ratepayers. It was agreed that the matter be discussed at the next 'meeting. Mr Flatman yviis appointed delegate to the Conference. '

Mr A. J. Giant wrote in reference to the prevalence 6T rabbits in the Council’s plantation at Pakahi, and offered to make arrangements for poisoning. It was re.sohygj that Mr Grant’s offer bo accepted. Mr A. Ta it, Woodbury, wrote applying to have 18 additional acres of his property taken into the Four-Peaks-Gcrnldino Downs Water Supply District.—lt -was resolved that water lm at a charge. '1 ho Public Works Department notified deposits of £62 0s 1 Od, and £593 TGs 4d in payment of grants in respect to work on Ueraldine-.lf'airlie Road via Cattle Valley and GliristcluirehDtinodin roads, respectively. The resident engineer, Public Works Department, wrote approving of Mr Searff.’.s tender for the erection of a bridge- at Cain’s Crock. ""

The resident engineer, Public Works Department, advised that the question of the control of the Rangitata bridge was outside the jurisdiction of the Highways Board, but suggested a conference between the two Counties concerned with a view to arriving at a mutual agreement. The Board, however, ivas of the opinion that the control of the bridge should be vested m the County most interested - and nearest to the bridge itself. . It lias resolved that the eomnuinication from the Highways Board be referred to the Ashburton .Council wn,h the idea of arranging a co>l . lerence. .

Urn .South Canterbury Hospital Board advrsod that at the last mooting of the Board the principle was affirmed that yboro able bodied persons made application lor relief from the Board, boy .should be required to do some " V° r V>» b ¥ nature to the value the rebel given, and invited the eo-operation of tlie Council in finding •suitable work where necessary ' b The chairman said 'that the Board would merely be required to find the work. lie considered the principle* nffin»'c<r ~,d ° ,K '— TbQ Principle was fJm'Tn 1 ”? ruil(Hl ntfiig to £7 Os 2d a ro o m" l° M CV,,l,lcil . and los oin Mackenzie County Connell in Ksncct to sha.rc ol motor lorry fees eoliected, were reeeived. y L * ~.,M r "i Forest niote •’.sting for assistance toward lornimg road running past his houseEngineer to report. GENEIML. *l,n 10 • C,p) ' ll ' (ll,l 'r Pnnndkoopor rypo-ted 7 horses '1 !VS r ln( ; ot ,V ,g ’ GS battle impounded. dUd 5 buU “ h “ d re^rr'f'V''V'°'"^ , ’* I, " o^^™i in A renewal ofa ieifso in rosneet to a Connell, reserve occupied by Mr j. B /.!■’ Z!?’ "‘" S aT! ; ilte(l , at n rental of lopel annum lor three years, and l 7 annum lor the remainum 'in i'e.UK. the lessee undertaking to clear all gnree. and blackberry. An application from Mr ,T L, rvf"t'i; M 1 ’™ 50 ™™ MSS lh '"" ” u -' «« Mr R. Brodio forwarded application

for work to be done on road leading from tho Main Island road.—Engineer to inspect. RIVER BOARD. Sitting as a River Board, the Council received a detailed report from the engineer on work done during the month. It was agreed that Mr Worner and Miss Lewis be authorised to effect temporary protective works on their properties under the supervision of the engineer, and subject to restricted expenditure, to serve until such time as permanent works can bn effected by a poll of ratepayers affected. Mr J. Brown, Riverslea, wrote applying for an extension of the banking of the Orari River of about eight or ton chains at the east end of the present bank, which ho built 20 years ago.

The engineer reported that in addition to paying rates, Mr Brown had also earned out a good deal of protective work at his own expense.

It was resolved,that the application ho granted. An application for protective work to prevent flooding on his property, received from Mr J. B. Pizzey, Orari,. was referred to the engineer for report. A number of residents at 'Willowbank, Tcniuka, wrote asking for protective works on the river banks adjoining their properties. The eiifS*niV' said that it had been agreed to do tho work in question, and lie would put the work in hand as soon as an-engine was available. Permission granted Mr J. J. Earl to cut willows oil Orari river bank, subject to the usual royalty, and tho engineer’s approval. Messrs H. E. Evans, E. Parham, and F. J. Bateman, occupiers of sections in t);a Rangitata rating area, drew attention to tho scouring taking plnco in the property of Mrs Parham they considered that if the erosion continued tho river would eventually overflow into a near-by gullv, which on a previous occasion carried overflow water which destroyed several acres. Under present conditions the approaches to the Rangitata traffic bridge were also threatened. It was agreed that the application could not be entertained on account or the expense involved. Messrs J. Quantock and Ellerv, Belfiekl, waited upon the Board 'in regard to protective works reuvired near Sugrue’s. 1 It was resolved that thq Board undertake to drive the necessary nibs providing tho residents concerned undertake tho planting cf willows H was resolved that an inspection °‘ Die river protective works be made on l'ridn-y afternoon.

In regard to the liurchase of a traction engine for road work it was resolved that Mr Lyon and the Borough foreman and Mr Kerr be asked to inspect engines offered, and report to tho Council,