GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1182, 24 May 1884, Page 2

GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

At Wednesday's meeting of the Geraldine County Council a letter was read from the Ashburton County Council, covering copy of petition from residents on both sides of the Lower Rangitata, and the Rangitata Island praying' for the erection of sheep bridges alongside and attached to the railway bridges over tha Rangitata river, and asking the Council to vote a cum towards the work, and seek the co-operation of the Koad Boards. The estimated cost of the work is £llsO. It was decided to communicate with the various Road Boards and learn what amount the Council would need to vote to make up half tha cost, it being understood that as the residents north of the river will be eqmlly benefited, one-half would be found by the Ashburton County. Slaughter house licenses were granted to Messrs W. Turton and D. Turner. A little time ago a number of residents in the neighbourhood of the Waihi Bush, on the south side, requested the Council to obtain a repoitonthe feasibility and cost of obtaining a water supply for their land?. Mr Meawon's report was now submitted. He reported that from 1500 i to 2000 acres of laud could be supplied,

lying on either side of the Geraldine and Woodbury road. There was very little engineering difficulty, but in proportion to sizo the head works would he expensive. Water 1 would he taken from the Waihi river, about three miles above the Woodbury township. The cost he estimated at about £450. Tho report will be sent to the petitioners. The Secretary, Mr F. W. Stubbs, reported that £650 had been collected from the dog tax this year—£lso more than last year. The Chairman was sure that this amount did not represent the number of dogs in the district, and suggested that the Council should employ men to collect tho tax —in place of giving 10 per cent, as at present —aud summon defaulters. The consideration of the suggestion was deferred. For the reconstruction of the Opihi hridge the tender of Phelps and Jones (of Timaru) at £2470 was accepted. There were fourteen tenderers the highest being Mr J. Elder (Ternuka), £3714. For repairs to the Opihi Bridge, the tender of W. J. Black (Wairnate) at £IBB was accepted. Mr Talbot moved, Mr Mackay seconded, and it was carried unanimously ■—' That in order to give County Councils greater facilities for carrying out water supply or irrigation works, it is desirable that the Government should advance money on similar conditions to those under which advances are now made under the Roads and Bridges Construction Ant 1883, for district roads and river works, viz., the wholft of the ad vane 3 to lie repayable by yearly instalments secured by special rate on the district to be benefited, and that the Government be respectfully asked to amend the Roads and Bridges Construction Act in the directio l indicated by this < resolution." Mr Talbot moved the motion of which he had given notice—' That the Council take over the maintenance of the bridges on the main lines of road in the county." The mover spoke strongly in support of the resolution. Mr Sherratt seconded the motion. Mr Mackay moved as an amendment — ' That consideration of the motion be deferred, pending the result of the petition to suspend the Counties Act.'

Mr Balfour seconded this amendment. After a short discussion this amendment was put and lost, only the mover and seconder votiug for it. Mr Talbot's motion was carried, the mover and seconder and Mr Paterson voting tor it, and the other two memhers against it.

On the suggestion of the Chairman, who explained that the river might be diverted from the side to the centre of the river bed, it was resolved —" That the Levels Road Boird be requested to allow their Overseer to look after the interests of the Council in the matter of the Opihi river at the bridge, with authority to expend a sum of not more than £SO in such works as he may deem necessary.' Mr Jas. Radford was appointed Clerk of Works at the Opihi bridge, at 10s per day.