GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2475, 11 March 1893, Page 4

GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the Geraldine County Council was held on Thursday. Present Messrs Balfour (chairman), Mackay, Barker, Quinn, and Howell. An apology was received from Mr Talbot. WATER RACES. The chairman stated that a deputation from Geraldine Flat was to wait upon the council concerning the ranger arrangements. The ratepayers of the district desired (1) to have authority to see that the ranger keeps the races in good order and to their satisfaction; (2) to have power to fix the ranger’s salary; (3) the council to levy such maintenance rate as would pay the ranger’s salary and other reasonable expenses. He (the chairman) had seen the members of the deputation and they said the present arrangements were very unsatisfactory; the ranger ignored any authority they might have. In the discussion which followed members agreed that it would be advantageous for a committee of ratepayers to have control of the ranger. Mr Marchant thought that so far as the distributing races were concerned the committee system would work admirably, but he did not see how the head-works and head-races could be handed over to committees unconditionally. Mr Howell said the head works must be kept under the authority of the engineer, and the ranger must be under the engineer’s authority to be sent to do anything required at the head-works. Messrs Mackay and Barker thought this might be arranged all right. At the last meeting Mr Talbot undertook to prepare a scheme for the working of committees, and as he was not present, nor had fonvarded any scheme, it was agreed to inform the deputation that the matter must stand over till Mr Talbot’s scheme came before them.

Messrs Shaw, Allan, Kelman, and Mackenzie were then introduced, and the chairman explained the decision just come to. He informed them that the council were desiruus of meeting their wishes as far as possible, and probably they would appoint committees and give them certain powers; what powers he could not say.

A general discussion took place, principally upon the subject of the charge for the engineer. The chairman pointed out that the council was responsible for the rates, and therefore must retain some control. Mr Kelman urged that there should be no charge for engineering unless it was wanted. When a man built a house he employed an architect, but he did not keep an architect after the house was finished. However, they did not make a point of that after learning that their share was only £5 a year. The deputation complained that the ranger did not do the work he ought to do, and not even what the manager had told him to do, and it was decided to write to the ranger about these complaints. IVlr Allan having explained his position, was informed that he was exempted from maintenance rate by the by-law. The deputation then withdrew, with the assurance that the council were willing to meet them as far as they could. Mr F. McCarthy waited on the council to ask for a supply of water to his land near the railway station. There is a difficulty in the way, inasmuch as the water could not be returned to the races. —The engineer to report. Mr M. Spillane, Arowheuua, asked for a supply of water. — W hen arrears of rates are paid the application will be favorably considered.

Mr G. Crozier, the Seadown ranger, reported a good head of water during the month, though it was hard to get it through all the races owing to the winds bl-wing rubbish into them, and the growth of vegetation which had almost choked some portions. The owners had promised to see to clearing this now that liarvest was over. Ho also reported that Mr Devon had complained about his branch being dry, and seeking for the cause found that Mr Humphrey had closed it and turned the water into a creek. He had been unable to see Mr Humphrey to ask the reason for this action. —The chairman to see into this, and have such action prevented in future. Mr A. Gynes, the Rangitata ranger, reported the races on the Newlands estate to be badly choked, and he aaked the council to see Mr ,LeCren about it, as people below got no water. Several people had not cleared their races, and said they were waiting to see what the oouuoil were going to do about undertaking the clearing as usual—N otice to be given that the Newlands races must be cleared in a fortnight. Or proceedings will be taken to remedy the grievous injustice to those below.

Mr Wi Gould, Orari-Waihi, reported similarly on the attitude of the occupiers in that district.

The engineers submitted a report on claims for exemption from water rates by certain occupiers at Seadowm Mr W. Shiers claimed exemption from maintenance rate on a certain section at Geraldine Flat, on the grounds that no expense was incurred in making the race through it, an old drain being utilised; the ranger* had never cleaned the race ; and he had a natural supply of water. Exemption admitted. A letter from the Land Commissioner, Christchurch, inquired what the council would be prepared to do re a water supply to Pleasant Point, in the event of the Government acquiring and cutting up a block for settlement close thereto. ln the face of the vagueness of the inquiry the council could only refer the Commissioner to the W ater Supply Act. mu DOES. The Ashburton County Council forwarded an estimate of the Railway Commissioners of the cost of attaching a stock bridge to the Rangitata railway bridge, and of annual cost maintenance, with an inquiry whether this council could bear half the expense if carried out. The estimate was fur bridge over north stream and over small side stream £586, animal cost £2O; without the small bridge £4BB, ami £ls, if continuous from end to end {hirgo and small bridges) £B4l and £2o,—lt was resolved to ag ee to share the cost id carrying out the iSJindh-r estimate, £438. Bisset and R. Taylor waited on '■nuuen k> u ge that if «, stock biidge ■’ ° . - the Orari it should be at the is put ovc. at the maia road The lower site, not ~ • , , - , , ’,... s contained the counter petition t* * l . , , 1 c , . ~ T ‘*v owned a signatures or people whom,-. sheep and never would, and ofsev^

who lived near the existing bridge, and some even above it. Aiming the arguments that the deputation used were that the river is frequently dry on the main road, whilst it is never dry at the lower road; that there are children who must cross the river below to get to school, whilst at the main road there is a school on each side of the river ; that if the river is in flood their stock must be driven 24 miles to get round by the existing bridge. Mr Taylor would like to see a bridge on both sites, but would prefer the lower one first The proposal to add a stock bridge to the railway bridge over the Rangitata was discussed in connection with the Orari

crossing. The matter was briefly discussed subsequently, but no decision was come to. MISCELLANEOUS. The Harbour Board wrote notifying that the levy for harbour rate for the year, was ,-£2500 13s Id. —Mr Howell remarked that the distribution of representation was monstrous. Timaru Borough paid £3OO and had three members, Geraldine County paid £2500 and had only two, and the ratepayers could not vote by proxy and had only one vote.

A request of the Temuka Hoad Board for permission to exchange a certain road was granted.

Mr G. H. Patrick applied for a 10s slaughter-house license for a section near Geraldine.—Referred to the Road Board.

Mr J. Fitzgerald asked for a few iron rails for protective works on the banks of the Opihi river. He asked that they be given him, as the work would be for the public benefit as well as his own. Mr Marchant said it would be a good thing to encourage people to do work of that sort. Mr Quinn anticipated that Mr Fitzgerald would spend well on to £IOO, and he only asked for £5 or £6 worth of rails. Mr Howell reminded Mr Quinn of his opposition to a grant for protective works on the Tengawai. Mr Quinn moved that the Council supply 25 rails at half cost, but this was not seconded. Mr Howell would vote for it if the Tengawai case were to be reconsidered. —It was agreed to supply rails at cost price. The Council hold a special meeting on Saturday 17 th.