GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 5032, 13 June 1889, Page 4

GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

ihe following is the continuation of yesterday’s report: WINCHESTER BRIDGE.

A petition bearing a large number of signatures was received praying the council to restore the bridge over the Waihi at Winchester, setting out at length, the inconvenience and danger of the ford that must now be used, which is worse than it was 20 years ago, as it is narrowed and obstructed by the bridge in the middle of the road-line. A deputation consisting of Messrs J. M undell. J. Kelland and W. Deßenzy waited on the council to urge that the bridge be restored. . ' Mr Mundell spoke first, and insisted on the importance of the Geraldine-Winchester road to a large number of settlers who were compelled to use it; it was being largely used for stock. The ford was only the width of a buggy, and a bad one. At present there was no water running in the Waihi at Geraldine, yet at the Winchester ford the water almost reached the bed of the buggy, and he believed that when only a moderate fresh occurred the river would be impassable for a fortnight. He had some idea of running a coach through, but he was quite sure he could not run it regularly if he had to cross that ford. If something was not done there would be a serious accident there before long. The cost of restoring the bridge would be small compared with the importance of the work. Mr Kelland submitted some figures in support of the request. He calculated that 150,000 bushels of grain, 156,000 sheep, and 50 wheeled vehicles per day (not counting return journeys) had to cross the river there; 150 families regularly use the Winchester railway station, from over the river, and 50 of these have to cross the river to their post and telegraph office. He did not think there was a bridge in the district that bad so much traffic over it as this one, Mr De Kenzy, as one living near the bridge, spoke of the great inconvenience he had seen people put to through having to me a very bad ford —“ a narrow deep dark hole.” The chairman pointed out to the deputation that this was only one bridge of several that the council had been asked to repair. Mr Mundell knew that ; in fact he had previously urged the council to do something with the Orari bridge. Still they need not allow this case to be a precedent if they did not choose to do so, and it was really so' important that it at all events should be restored, while the cost would not be great. Mr Howell: What do you suppose the cost would be ? Mr Mundell : I hear that it could herepaired for £IOO to £l5O. i Mr Howell: Our engineers estimate it at £4OO. Our full rating power is only £3500, and if we once start on the bridges there are the Pareora, Orari, and Temuka bridges, all pressing for expenditure. Mr Mundell repeated that the restoration of the Winchester bridge need not be taken as a precedent. The colony was now going ahead again, and it would be a pity to allow the public estate to go to waste. Mr Howell: That is not the way to put it. The public estate was wasted in putting up a lost of unnecessary bridges. Mr Mundell: As you please, but when you see a really useful and really necessary bridge like this going to waste, that argument will not apply. Keep up the important ones, and let the unimportant go if you like. The deputation then withdrew, and the council discussed the request, with the result that Mr Barker moved, and Mr Moore seconded—" I hat the Winchester bridge repairs be taken in hand forthwith.” Both mover and seconder said they would not have proposed it but that a good ford cannot be got there. Mr Mackay did not see how they could got out of it. Mr Howell admitted that the deputation and the petitioners had made out a strong case, and every case must be dealt with on its merits. The engineers will report to next meeting what will be the most economical way of dealing with the bridge. Among the suggestions to be considered by them are shortening of the bridge by 80 feet,narrowing it from 19 feet to 13 feet, and using timber from the Oxford-Temuka bridge, given by the Government to the council for use in repairing bridges.

engineer's REPORT. The following report by the engineers was submitted; —“ In accordance with a resolution passed at the last meeting of your Council, we have the honor to submit the following report on the proposed Orari-Waihi, Geraldine Mat, and Waitohi water districts. Wo also enclose plans showing the lines of the head races of the two latter works : that of the Orari-Waihi, through Mr Tripp’s land, wo have already handed to your Council. “ Orari-Waihi—Our estimate for this work, from the new site of intake, is £9OO. This includes the whole of the works, head race, and distributing races but does not include any fencing on Mr Tripp’s land. We under? stand this question of fencing has lately been discussed between the ratepayers and Mr Tripp, and that the conclusions arrived at will be Md before your Council to-morrow. With regard to the alternative scheme pro. posed, we are unable to say, without survey, what it would cost.

“Geraldine Flat—-A preliminary survey only of this work has been made. The plan herewith shows the line of the head race. With the exception of a small corner of reserve 1323, the head race is wholly in Mr J. Innis’ land. In length it is about 34 chains, and in width 75 links, comprising about 2$ acres of land. This area may be reduced on survey. Our estimate of this work, from the preliminary survey is £650. As we understand that the only reason of delay at present in carrying out this work, is the non-arrival of the new rate roll, we would suggest the survey should be carried out forthwith, so that' we should be free to pro-

coed with the surveys of the other races when their construction is decided upon. Waitohi.—These works wore surveyed by us over six years ago, and as the conditions have probably altered materially, we should not care to give an estimate of cost without viewing the whole district again. The accompanying plan shows the line of the head race. It intersects five properties, the names of the owners of which, together with the lengths, width, and area of land taken from each, we subjoin: —George Prentice, 17a chains, I.V acres ; P- Coll, 70 chains, 7 acres; D. 8. Pearce, 40 chains, 4 acres ; A. M. Hullen, 40 chains, 4 acres; D. Bae, 5 chains, £ acre. [The width required in each case is 100 links J Our estimates for the Orari-Waihi and Geraldine Flat works, together, amount to £1550, which amount liberally covers all_ costs and contingencies in se far as it is possible to estimate and foresee them at present. Our past experience, however, shows that so many extra races, etc., not at present contemplated, are afterwards required by the ratepayers, that we would recommend your council to borrow £2OOO for these contracts, any unexpended balance of which could be returned to Government.” MISCBIiXiANEOUS. Mr Kempster, Orari Flat, requested to be supplied with water from the new races. — Agreed to. A complaint was received from the ranger at Seadown, respecting a settler there driving his cattle over the race —The engineer’s said that this was cutting down the banks of the race, and endangering the whole of the supply. The settler had a proper crossing over the race on his land. As he had 20 cows running at large on the roads, the ranger was instructed to impound them, and so get rid of the nuisance about the race. Mr Dines wrote about a few fords needing repairs on the Rangitata-Orari race, and in reply to questions the engineer said that work on this race was necessitated through the gorse spreading on private land into the race. The question of clearing the gorse out cropped up, and Mr Howell said his experience was that the bigger the holder of land, the more disgraceful state the gorse fences were kept in.—lt was decided that Mr Dines should attend to the fords. A petition was read respecting a branch race iu the Dower Rangitata district, from Messrs Macdonald, Rolleston and others. The engineer said that all the petitioners were in the water supply district. He had seen Mr Rolleston the other day and had told him that he believed the council would do the work provided the cost of it were paid into the county fund before a start was made. Then the difficulty cropped up as to the contribution each should pay. Members said that by their by-laws, the contribution was according to the acreage. The estimate for the work is £55, and the council expressed their willingness to do it, provided the petitioners forwarded cost. A letter from the Temuka Town Board, respecting the collection of the dog tax, was referred to the clerk for reply. The secretary of the South Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Board wrote asking for the council's contribution of £606 12s Bd, and the clerk was instructed to _ write the Road Boards interested on the subject. A circular was read from the Mount Hutt County Council respecting certain amendments they proposed in the Licensing Act, and asking this council’s support. —On the motion of Mr Howel) members agreed to cordially support the suggested alterations in the licensing law. Accounts amounting to £142 0s 5d were passed for payment and the Council went into committee to have a chat about the Silcock case.