GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1775, 11 August 1888, Page 4

GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

A meeting of Ibe Geraldine County Council wos held on Tuesday. Present— Messrs Balfour (Chairman), Mackay, Moore, Hayhurst, Barker and Howell. A memo from the Public Works Department covered a copy of the proclamation resting the control of the lower Pareora bridge in the council, from the 28th ult. The engineers reported that the Pstreora bad been iu very high flood during and after the late rains. They proposed closing nil the bridging until the Council gave them farther instructions. Correspondence was read from Mr Silcock, the contractor for the P»«ngitata racei, and Mr Joynt, his solici'or, respecting the measuring up of the races.—On the motion of Mr Howell, seconded by Mr Monro, it was resolved " That Mr Silcock be allowed twelve working days, to be taken in alternate weeks, i.e., water turned off for one week, then turned on for ode week, and again turned off for the following week, and that no extension of time be allowed." The engineers reported that the wrrks had ba<-n severely tssted by the late rains, but very slight damage had been tfone, no more than tht ranger would repair in a few days. The whole of the flumes and fenstiuctcd woiks are unhurt. The on'y places where e;.tra works of precaution appear to be needed ate at the head works, where they bed anticipated that some protective works would be necessary, and a few flood stops on Mr Tuew's land ; tl e expense of these would be inconsiderable. Mr H. F. Brown wrote objecting to two parallel races being cut through his land, when one would serve all his requirements, and the extra race meant only extra cost of construction and maintenance.—Left 10 the engineers to enquire into. Mr J. Uiley, Waihi Bush, wrote asking compensation (£SO; for damage done to his section by the cutting of the head rae*. —Engineers to rsport. The engineers reported that tlie contactors for the »Voodbury race had rande good progress, .notwithstanding the bad weather. No damage had been done by the heavy rains to the permanent work.

A petition from six settlers on Gera'.dioe Flat, between !te Geruldine road and Hae-hae-le-morna river, and It-uikapuka Downs eastward.—Messrs D. Shaw, A. Mackmz e, H. F. BrowJ, R. Tiylor, E. Burke, and A. Kelrcan—rtquesled the conned to constitute the Flat a wa'er race district for the purpose of obtaining a supply of wa'er from the H*e-hae-tt-raoana.— .Referred back to petitioners for particulars as to acreage, rateable value, and other matters. Accounts amounting to £315 wore passed for payment. The council then took into consideration the general question of bridgo maintenance. A report by the engineers on the state of the Orari bridge was re'id. The piling and tna'u timbers were stated to be in good condition, but five or six per cent of the planking is decayed and unsafe, and tho hand-railing needs repairs. The river is making heavy encroachments on the north bank, and as the riverbed is being continually raised by new deposits of shingle, It is very probable that the river will outflank the bridge at no distant period, necessitating lengthening of the bridge if liaffic is to be maintained. To replace all the planking—which will be necessary in a short time—will cost £1300; present repairs to planking would coit about £6O. The river, Mr Merchant stated in sweeping into the bank both *bove and be'ow the bridge. Mr Mackay moved, and l'ie Chairoaan seconded—•' That temporary repairs to the Pareca bridge b« put in hand at once, providing that the Waiiuate County Council wish the work to proceed, pi\»vidio« also that the cost of protective works can be reduced by at least one half the amount statf-d in the engiueeib' repoitof 9lh May, 1888. That the consideration of repairs or teoewul of all other bridges in t. is county be deferred twelve months from this dale.

A long debate followed, it being Bbown that without a special rate it would be impossible to do anything to the bridge <, as the council had no fundi*. The Chairman urged that as the Council had taken over the conirol of the Pareora bridge they were bound to keep faith with the Waimate Council. Finally Mr Barker moved, and Mr Hayhurst seconded, as an amendment—- " That owing to the existing depletion the main bridge:; repored by the engineprs to be unsafe, be left as they tie, that danger notices be erected at each end of them, and that fords be provided. Should it be found on enquiry that this course is. i.ot legsl the bridges tc be absolutely closed." Mr .Darker said lie did not wish the biidges to be absolutely closed, he would let people US9 them if they liked at their own risk, but if the solicitor advised that a danger notice would not relieve the council of reeponsibihty for accidents, they must o'ose the bridges. The amendment was cirried by four voting for it, —the mover and secoidej, and Messrs Moore'and Howell. The council then rosp.