COUNTY COUNCILS.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 11876, 25 April 1904, Page 8

COUNTY COUNCILS.

' The Geraldine County Council met on/ Thursday. Present—Messrs J. Talbot (chairman), G. J. Denniatoan, Dixon, A. Kelman, 1 and B. R. Macdonald. At the request of the chairman of the Geraldine Road Board, Mr F. R. Fiatman, M:H.R., waited on the Council, explaining that there was stilt a vote on the estimates of, £300 on account of £600 for a traffic bridge over the Hae-hae_Temona river at Toomey's.crossing, also a vote of £800 for a bridge at Hanging Rock: Mr J. Kelland waited oa the Council on behalf of the Geraldine Road Board and a large number of ratepayers who had signed a petition to the Board, "asking that the Council accept the Government grant for a bridge at Toomey's crossing, over the Hae-hae-Temoana. The Road Board was still prepared to contribute £300 towards the cost, as it would save them an expenditure of £150 in repairing the present stock bridge at this crossing. The engineer was asked to prepare plans and specifications for the work at once. Dr. Hislop and Mr J. Maling waited on the Council, as a deputation from the Geraldine Domain Board, asking for on annual grant towards the upkeep of the sports Domain. The deputation pointed the town ratepayers contributed to the county in rates, and had so far only got a return of ££0 out of £1000. It was resolved to make a grant of £20, on .condition that the Domain is better looked after than it had been in the past, when it. is put in order. The engineers reported on the condition of the O—iri-Rangitata and , Geraldine Flat water-races, and the system of maintenance generally. _a the Orar*i-Rangitafa district the chairman of the committee and the ranger were but owing to lack of technical knowledge did not know what should be done and what should not. There was no reason whatever why sufficient water should not have been delivered throughout the races. The Geraldine Flat races were in an extremely bad state, and in a dry summer the water supply might fail entirely. TJje engineer formed a very good opinion of the ranger in the Rangitata district, and believed that with a little direction he would h% a very useful man at the work. They made an offer to the ijCouncil for the supervision of rangers* work and the water-races generally in the OrariRangitata, Orari-Waihi, Geraldine Flat and Waitohi districts every second month, for £70 a year. Mr B. R. Macdonald pointed out that his remarks at last meeting concerning the Rangitata district had been fully borne opt by the engineer's reportIt was resolved to hold over the consideration of the matter till next meeting. Mr G. J. Dennistocn was granted she months' leave of absence to visit the Old Country. I Accounts amounting to £611 17s were passed for payment. - j