GERALDINE TOWN BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1529, 8 July 1886, Page 3

GERALDINE TOWN BOARD.

The monthly meeting of this Board was held in the Board’s office on Tuesday evening.—Members present—Messrs R, H. Pearpeint (Chairman), N. Dunlop, J, Huffey, E, Taylor, J. Muudell, and W. S. Maslin. Mr C. E, Sherratt, Overseer to the Board, was in attendance. MINUTES. The minutes of the previous meeting, and also of the two meetings of the Works Committee, were read and confirmed. CORRESPONDENCE. Outward correspondence was read and approved of. Inward was read as follows : From the Property Tax Commissioner, Wellington, asking the Board to forward (heir minute re levying the rale for 1885.86 subsidy under the Local Bodies Finance and Powers Act, 1885. From the Clerk to the Geraldine County Council, advising the Board that their contribution to the South Canterbury Hospital and Charitable aid Board was £lO 14s sd, and asking the Board (o pay the same into the Bank of New Zealand, From the Incumbent of St. Mary’s Church, Geraldine, asking that the new culvert which had been put down in front of the Parsonage be widened.—Decided to widen the culvert three feet. From the Clerk to the Geraldine Eoad Board asking if the Town Board would be willing to pay part of the cost of repairing and renovating the Geraldine footbridge.—On the motion of Mr Maslin, seconded by Mr Mundell, it was decided that this Board cannot entertain the application as the work proposed to bo dona is outside the Town Board's boundary. I From Messrs T. Bowkeit and H. H. Parker asking the Board to have a portion of Peel street formed, beginning at High street, as f»r as Shaw's corner.— I Tire Oversee? was instructed to report on this work to the Works Committee. From Mr Geo. Ward, on behalf of the Geraldine Rifles asking that the footpath be formed 'past the new drill shed.—Mr Maslin proposed—“ That the footpath be continued from the end of the present part to the end of the sheep yards at the Pound.” Mr Taylor seconded the proposition.—Mr Dunlop Bfiid he would like to see the footpath cpotinued as far as the Cepaetery Road.—Mr Mundell did not think Board were in a PPa' lion t 0 i undertake bo much,—Mr Dunlop moved,

as.an amendment—“ That the footpath be carried,as far as the Cemetery road.” The amendment upon being put was lost, and the original proposition carried. From the Rev. Father Keane, asking that i lie rates upon the Catholic Presbytery h- refunded.—lt was decided to inform Father, Keane that, as the Board had refused similar applications from other religious bodies, they were unable to accede to the request. From the Property Tax Commissioner, covering a copy of the valuation roll. BANGER’S REPORT. The town ranger’s report was read and received, and the opinion expressed that extra vigilance should be exercised by the ranger with legard to cattle trespassing on the new asphalt. THE BUSH RESERVE. Mr Mundell brought under the notice of the Board the desirability of fencing that part of the Geraldine Bush which was under th« Board's control. It was unanimously resolved, upon the motion of Mr Taylor, seconded by Mr Dunlop—“ That the member for the district be written to, asking him to take steps to have the whole of tho bush reserved.” overseer's report. The Overseer’s report was read as follows ; “To the Chairman and Members of the Geraldine Town Board. “ Gentlemen, —I have tho honor to report for your information on the progress of works as follows: The kerbing has been completed as far as the Pleasant Valley road, with the exception of a little patching in places destroyed by the frost or horses which have broken it down. Three of the men are finishing the planting and fencing near the Cemetery corner. The asphalt has been completed to Newport’s shop, excepting the top dressing, and, provided the weather is favorable, the whole will be completed in about three weeks, including the top dressing. During the month I have laid the asphalt in front of the Bank of New Zealand, and to the private door, embracing about 150 yards. I have also, put a coat of fine asphalt upon some of Mr Pearpoint’s paths round his private residence. Unless the Board have more special work to execute, it will be necessary to dismiss some of the hands, and it will be batter for the Board todeal with the matter.—Mr Dale has made fair progress with the work near Preston s and Stringer’s, and I expect he will be finished m a little over one week from date. -The rates are coming in very well indeed, about £l5O having been collected since the first of last month, thus leaving leas than £lO outstanding.—l have received the following moneys, and paid them to the Board’s credit since yoar last meeting:-- Publicans’ licenses, £135; wholesale licenses, £2O; auctioneers licenses, £BO ; rates, £174 4s, which has been paid into a separate account; therefore it will be necessary for some of the cheques paid this month to be drawn upon the account. I have also received os from the ranger, 6« from Mr Heney, and £llss from Mr Michael |Connolly. —I am, etc., “ 0. E, Shbbbait, “ Gbrk to the Board.” It was resolved to draw £147 from the rates, and place it to the current account. HiaOELUAVKOUS. Some necessary works on tho Pleasant Valley road having been mentioned, it was resolved to instruct the Overseer to report on these works at sh early date, and also with regard to placing one or two lamps near the corner. With regard to discharging some of the men at. present employed by the Board, the Overseer was empowered tb retain the four men that he thought best suited the Board, and that the rate of pay be a uniform one ; also that Messrs Erode and Harding be retained in the service of the Board. CIiAIH FOR COMPENSATION. Mr Huffey asked the Board to allow him compensation for a slip of kerbing that he had. laid down in front of bis property. He pointed out that some years ago he bad had the asphalt laid the full width of the path along a portion of his frontage, and the kerbing continued for a distance of 52 feet past the portion asphalted. He now asked the Board to lay the asphalt, now being put down, the full width of the path as far as the kerbing extended, as compensation for the piece of kerbing, Mr Mundell proposed—“ That Mr Huffey’s request be granted.” He thought it was only fair and reasonable,' At tho same time he was not in favor of tho Board forming (he precedent of paying away large earns of money in compensation. Mr Dunlop seconded the proposition. Mr Maslin strongly opposed the proposition. There were a number of ratepayers who could bring claims of the same nature, that would probably amount to about £IBO. He drew the attention of the Board to tho fact (hat they had refused a siraiar application from Mr Coltman only a month before. He moved as an amendment—“ That the Board can not entertain any such application.” Mr Taylor seconded the amendment, There were a number of other ratepayers who would probably bring similar claims. Mr Huffey contended that his case was not on all fours with those ratepayers who had simply laid the asphalt and asked for compensation. The Chairman stated that the question of precedent weighed principally with him ; also the application coming from a member of the Board inclined him not to vote for the proposition. Mr Maslin’s amendment was then put and carried. BOARD OF HBABTH. The Board then resolved into a Local Board of Health. The Inspector of Nuisances’ report having been read and considered satisfactory, there being no action required, the Board adjourned till August 3rd,