GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 4978, 10 April 1889, Page 3

GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

The Geraldine County Council held their ordinary meeting for the month to-day. Present—Messrs W. Balfour (chairman), E. Mackay, W. M. Moore, and E. A. Barker. An apology was received from Mr Howell. The chairman regretted to see so email a meeting as there v)as some very important business to be brought forward. Mr Balfour then drew attention to a paragraph in a newspaper report of the last meeting to the effect that the council had made some remarks derogatory to the engineers. There was he was sure nothing of the kind meant. Mr McKay endorsed that, and moved that a denial of the report be inserted in the minutes.

The chairman stated that everything had been done in connection with the formation of tire Orari-Waihi and Geraldine Elat wateY race districts, except the taking of the poll. A sum of £ISOO had been asked for, for both districts, which was well over the estimates and therefore should bo more than sufficient for the works. The work could be gone on with as soon as the poll had been taken and the money obtained. (The secretary stated that the rate must be struck under the new roll, and the rolls were not yet revised. The new assessment on the whole district was £106,000 less than the old one.) An important letter from the Minister of Public Works re the Pareora bridge would raise the whole question of the maintenance of bridges. An application wnuld be read from residents of the Waitohi Flat for a water supply, this being a revival of the proposal made several years ago. Another important matter was that a writ had been received from Mr 3ilcock for alleged balance of claim due to him on the Eangitata water race contract, the,amount being £7Bl 2s lid. The writ had been handed to Mr White with instructions to defend the action. The council went into committee to consider several matters in relation to the Silcock suit, and certain steps agreed to were expressed in resolutions, but we were not requested not to publish them, as their publication would tend to prejudice their case.

A letter from the council’s solicitor ro water race by-laws was also taken in committee. Three letters were read complaing of Mr J. Wareing’s herd of pigs befouling the water in a race at South Orari. Mr Barker said Mr Wareing considered it a hardship to bo compelled to shift his pigs as they were feeding on two or three hundred acres of bad crop. The Temuka Road Board requested the council to improve certain race crossings in their district, which were complained of by two large ratepayers, who stated, one that he could not cart his grain, the other that he could not got a threshing mill to his crops. The board offered to do the work if the council would give them authority.—The ranger to employ a horse and cart and do what is necessary. Mr J. Noble, Woodbury, complained that the race had not been taken to his section, — only to four out of the twelve sections in High Street, the owners of which, paying the rate, wanted water. —It was stated tbat the writer had objected to having water in the first instance.—A race to he cut to High Street if possible; engineers to inspect on their next visit to the Orari-Waihi race. Messrs W. Corbett and W. Middlemiss asked for a small diversion of the race on their farms.—Agreed to.

Mr Oldfield had an interview with the council with respect to a race on a farm lately occupied by Mr Armitago at Kerry Town. When' the latter was in possession, he did not want fcbe water, but the present ocpiipjer did want it. The engineers explained that this matter was spoken of in their report. The cost pf laying on the water would bo £lO.

The engineers, Messrs Meason and Marchant, reported as follows: “ Seadown water races.—These works are now completed in all respects, with the exception of the willow work at the head race which we think had better not be commenced for another month.

“ Mrs M. Hoare’s application.—This property is watered, and if the owner requires an extension of tho races wo think she should pay tho cost thereof.

“Mr Oldfield’s application.—The former owner of this property objected to a race being cut on it. Mr Oldfield, who has lately purchased it now requests that water may be supplied to him. As Mr Oldfield bought tho property under conditions existing at the time of sale, we think he should now pay any cost incurred in extending tho race to his property. “ Oraii Flat water race.—The contract survey of the head race of this district has been finished, but we have not been able to get the plans ready for this meeting. “ Woodbury water-races.—All works in this district arc in a satisfactory state. We have had a few details amended which were locally complained of. “ Rangitata-Orari water-races—These are generally in a satisfactory state. The ranger complains of damage being done to the races by want of proper field crossings on private land. Wo have asked the county clerk to communicate with the parlies concerned.” After the report had been read members agreed that the application of Mr Oldfield should be dealt witu in the usual way, Mr Barker remarking that they must be prepared to deal with similar applications in like manner.

A long letter was read from Mr 0. G. Tripp with reference to the head works at the Orari river, which was before the conncil at last meeting. Mr Tripp said that the engineer (Mr Marchant) had not exactly stated the case correctly. Mr Tripp then gave particulars of the conversation between himself and tho engineer, and said that the site as chosen by Mr Marchant is undoubtedly the best. In conclusion, Mr Tripp asked for plans, etc, of tho work to be forwarded to his solicitors.

The engineer explained that he certainly thought Mr Tripp was favourably disposed to his view of the matter. However, Mr Meason was now busy making a contract survey, and when the plans were completed copies would be given to Mr Stubbs to forward to Mr Tripp’s solicitors. These would show him exactly where the races would rUn. (left sitting).