GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1916, 13 July 1889, Page 2

GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the Geraldine Council was held on Wednesday.- Present —Messrs Balfour (chairman), - Howell, Hayhurst, Moore, Mackay, and Barker. A letter from the Ashburton Oohnfy Council stated that they had undertaken protective works at (he south approach to the Bangitata bridge, at an estimated coat of £IBO. So far (to June 13tb) £lß2a 4d had been expended, of which the Geraldine County Council was requested to pay half. , ■■ w It was decided to take over the maintenance of tho Upper Pareora bridge from the Levels Road Board, provided all liabilities to date have been satisfied. The ‘engineers submitted the following special report on the Winchester bridge “To put this bridge in a proper condition for traffic, having doe regard to effecting the alterations in a permanent manner, and that it may be maintained as cheaplyas possible in future, wo make the following recommendations, viz.—To shorten the length of the bridge by 40 fedtby extending the embankment at the northwest end of the third pier from that end. To reduce the width of the bridge to 14 feet between handrails, and to widen the approaches by 24 foet. To entirely renew the whole of the girders and planking, any sound timber taken from the girders to be used up in effecting minor repairs, etc. To fence the approaches at each end with timber taken from the old planking. The existing piles, braces, and caps to be retained, and the hand-railing to be retained and re-erected. We estimate the cost of the above works at £—, using New Zealand timber for girders ; and £—, if irpnbark be used for the parpose. We recommend the latter if the council will consent to the extra cost. If the council purpose renewing tho bridge we recommend the adoption of the works now proposed in preference to merely rodecking the bridge, renewing certain beams, etc*., at a less cost of £—, as previously estimated, as by so doing the bridge will be practically a new one in so far as its most important parts are concerned. We think tho salo of the old timber should realise £—On the motion of Mr Maokay, seconded by Mr Moore, the engineers were instructed to call for tenders for the work as soon aa possible, ironbark timber to be used. * The Geraldine Road Board wrote demanding that nil water-race culverts and fords be made the full width of the roads, instead of half width, otherwise the board would hold the council responsible for any accident that might Joccur.— Received, Mr Howell said the board did not mate* their crossings or culverts the full width of the road. The engineers wrote that the lessee of a reserve at Cooper’s Cre' k bad straightened the creek and thereby increased the flow of water, making it a torrent, and endangering one of the race flume embankments over the creek. The embankment would probably have to be protected or tha flume lengthened.—Engineers to ozamina and report on cost of necessary work. Mr J. Thatcher, Woodbury, asked to be allowed to take the water across a road from Me Kempstei’a lend.—Engineers to report.

After some discussion it was proposed by Mr Moore, seconded by Mr Barker, and carried—“ That this council protests against the control of the Timaru District Hospital and the management and control of charitable aid in local homes being invested in tho Timaru Borough Council, on the grounds (1) that the amount contributed according to the rateable value by the Gar&ldino County is nearly five times the amount contributed by the Timru Borough; (2) that the control.should, be in a board representing the whole distript, and not merely a small portion of it, and that the representation should be,arranged according to tho rateable value of the district. That this council also protests against the whole administration of 'outdoor relief being thrown upon their funds, preferring that the smaller local bodies should deal with their own relief.” The engineers, Messrs Meason and Marchant submitted the following report;— “ Orori-Waihi Water Supply : An arrangement having been arrived at between Mr Tripp and the ratepayers,, as to fencing, &c., we proceeded to prepare plans and specifications for that portion of the Oran-Waihi race which passes through Mr Tripp’s land, and to call for tenders, which will close on Saturday the 13th inet. We have to ask your council to make arrangements to receive the tenders. Wo estimate the cost of this portion of the system at £—, £ — of which is for fencing on Mr Tripp’s land.—We shall be laying out the distributing races at once, and will call for tenders as soon the specifications are ready. Woodbury District: Wa visited this water district during the mouth, and found everything in a satisfactory state. We have had a branch nee cat into Mr North’s section, at a cost of £l. We have also pegged out the diversion proposed by Mr Middlemiss, but as it will entail a greater cost than your council anticipated, wa submit an estimate before putting the work in hand. The extension of races authorised by your council from ! A.McDonald’e to Campbell’s and Corbett’s, 1 h«s been completed, and the ford at Stuart’s made at a cost of £8 6s 3J.— Rangitata-Orari District: Application of Mr Rolleston and others: Wo enclose estimates of the proportion of coat of branch race which each of the applicants should Willow Planting ; The willow planting is being carried out at the head works of the races. Wa would strongly recommend that some

additional willow planting should be done

at both approaches of the Opihi bridge. Three or four days work of one man would be sufficient to do all that is required. Geraldine Flat Water-Supply District ; We shall be getting on with the survey* plans, and specifications ot this work afc

once, and will call tenders as soon as they are ready.”—The engineers were nuthorLed to arrange with Mr Middlemias in reference to making the diversion of race asked for. The estimate of the proportions to be paid by the applicants for no extension of the Rangitata races was ordered to be forwarded to them. The recommendation in reference to planting willows at the Opibi bridge was adopted. Mr White, the council's solicitor, bad b,ee|D asked.for his opinion on the following questions (1) Should the county as a whole, or the Orari-Kangitata water-rnco district pay the law costa-in the Silcook _case ?—RoRuble, but looking to the general tenor of the law and the equities of the case, the watet-race district should bear the cost. If the district was not in funds the county conld lend, and repay itself at any time the district became in fqnds.—-(Tbe chairman was inclined to think that as it was through the mistake of the council the whole county -should pay the law costs of the case). (2) If an increased rate was found necessary (as by a reduction in the valuations), could it' be increased by resolution, or was a special order neceeB ary f—Spscial order necessary. (3) Has a water-race district power to increase its loan if the amount borrowed is insufficient 1 —By a limited amount, 10 per cent. If more is required, the consent of the ratepayers must be obtaioed, as for the original loan. (4) Can a district be enlarged, and the enlarged district obtain an increased loan t—A district can be enlarged, but the increased loan must be voted for by the ratepayers, —No resolution was passed, and the meeting terminated.