GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 4014, 21 February 1903, Page 4

GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the Geraldine County Council was held on Thursday. Present—Messrs J. Talbot (chairman), A. Kelman, Wright, 1 Dixon, Metcalf, and Dennistoun. THE LATE MR ROLLE3TON. The chairman said he was sure the Council would follow in the foctsteps of other local bodies by passing a resolution expressing regret at the loss of the .late Mr Rolleaton, and sympathising with his family. There was no question that we had lost one of our best and most useful colonists, and this had been recognised all over the colony. The Mr Rolleston had rendered to thecountry were appreciated by colonists from one end of New Zealand to the other. This was Keen in the general expression of regret at his demise. It was resolved—" That the Council wish to record its very deep regret at the death of the Hon. Wm. Rolleston, and its appreciation of his great public services to the colony, and also of his noble example as a pure and upright statesman and citizen. The Council also desire to express their sympathy with Mrs Rolleston and the members of the family in their irreparable loss." THE COMMISSIONER'S REPORT. The chairman mentioned that the Commissioner's report on the inquiry re the Clayton road and proposed Opuha bridge had been received. The result was that the Geraldine Council had not succeeded i'i its demand for a larger payment than £SO iby the Mackenzie Council towards the bridge but on the other hand ihe Mackenzie Council had not succeeded in getting a larger proportion of >"ost of the maintenance of Clayton read. On behalf of the Mount Peel Road Board the Council had also claimed on the Mackenzie Council for Valley and Middle Valley roads. The results of the enquiry on the interchange of traffic on roads was that Geraldine County would have to pay Mackenzie County about £5 more than Mackenzie would pay o*raldine. Mr Dennistoun : We ought at. next election to make it a rest ovestion for candidates to sta.te whether they are in favour or not of repealing, this ridiculous Act. HANGING- ROCK BRIDGE <)l;Ef--TION. Messrs Wreathall, -Jev-iep. :mi Lev waited on the Council rcnewiiia: their claim for a light traffic bridge at Noah's Ark on Hanging Rock, Cpihi. Mr Ley said the settlers were very anxious that the Council should take some s>teps in the .'natter ho/ore the Government grant expires on March 31st next by having plans and specifications prepared. Mr Wreathall pointed out that at the present' time there was more necessity for the bridge than ever owing to closer settlement in their part o.f the district (through Mrs Wigley and Mr Studholme cutting up land. He did not see any reasonable need for delay, seeing that the Council would only have to contribute about £4OO. The expenditure would be a justifiable one, and would give relief to a large number of County ratepayers. Mr Jessep held that the Geraldine Council should agree to do their part of the work at once. Mr Dennistoun said it wouHd ibe no use doing that without approaching the Levels Council. Mr Jessep said if the Council would do something it would give settlers something to encourage them to urge the thing on. The chairman thought that the last resolution passed by the Council was something for the settlers to approach the Levels upon.. Mr Wreathall : It would come better from the Council. Mr Ley stated the position of the matter with the Levels. Messrs Cunningham and Butler were doing their best for the bridge, but members in the Pareora riding were against it because they thought the cost of the lower bridge would be so heavy that they "cou"ld not see how they could find money for fthe upper bridge. It was resolved—" That the Levels Council be informed that a deputation from the settlers of the district north of the Opihi near the Hanging Rock have again interviewed this Council, asking that a bridge over the Opihi river be built there, and that a copy of a resolution passed by this Council on August 25th, 1902 be sent to them, and that they be asked if they would be prepared to join in the erection of a bridge on the terms suggested." WATER RACES. The ranger Rangitata-Orari reported a good flow of water in all races, and the chairman of the same district freported everything workingsatisfactorily, A lengthy discussion had taken place with regard to water race crossings on roads, and it was thought that the Road Boards should not*charge for maintenance. The Council is of opinion that it is liable for maintenance of water-race crossings over public roads. The ranger Orari-Waihi Water-Race District reported water races in fair condition, and a good flow of water in all races. He had a good deal of trouble with races and filter-'box lately, and he had to get help to keep down weeds and grass. The races leaked badly in places. He had found holes in soma places seven feet deep and had to run the race round them.—The Council offers no objection to rangers suggestion re hole at filter box. UPPER OPUHA BRIDGE. Messrs Kelmajn and Macdonaid reported having visited Upper Opuha bridge - on January 27th where Mr Marchant and Mr Dickson met them! After viewing the bridge and talking matters over they had come to the conclusion that as long as the rivft kept its present course—and owing to rocky buttresses—they saw no immediate probability of its changing—the bridge would stand well' and fulfill all requirements for which it was erected. If the southern part was renewed the Council would have a really go.od bridge. They thought, however, , that it would have been better—instead of driving 5 inch solid piles 6feet deep to have drawn [:them and made another pier,' or perhaps two of railway iron piles the same as those renewed. The engineer, however, said that the main object was to cut down expenditure and that he was perfectly satisfied that the bridge was good and safe. The main objection that had been made was that the woodwork on two southern piers was too close to the bed'of the stream.. The engineer had made this good, by. woodwork, which gave- the piers a peculiar appearance.- The approach from the north Was' very awkward and should be made right .by., blasting rock, which they considered was Road- , Board work. They considered "that it would be a good thing to plant willow stakes from the bridge to the rocky point on the southern side to keep the river under the new portions of the bridge. It was resolved to thank Messrs Kelman and Macdonaid for their report. CORRESPONDENCE. Correspondence was read and dealt with as follows : - From Messrs Smithson and Raymond that the matter re proposed

Orari River Board was receiving constant attention from them.—Received. From the Department of Justice sending warrant appointing Local Bodies to have authority within Licensing Districts, and given information re the forthcoming election of Licensing Committees. From the Department of Roads that if the Council would obtain a legal title to the road, approaches at Speechley's Crossing on the Te Moana river there would be no objection to the proposed bridge being erected at that site instead of Toomey's Crossing,—The .Council wished to know if the grant would be available for the site, but have 'not yet decided that it would erect the bridge there. The question of site is not yet settled. From Mr F. 11. Flatman, M.H.R., that he had received a reply from the Governmentthat they would contribute £1 for £l towards the cost of the proposed Opihi bridge and approaches, but the proposals with regard to the latter would have to be submitted to the Department of Roads before, the contract is let.— Received. From Temuka Borough Council enclosing cheque for £4O subsidy on amount voted by the County Council for Coronation celebrations. ROLLESTON BRIDGE. Mr "Kelmari said that Rolleston's bridge on the Orari river was in a very bad state. '.. PAY SHEET. Accounts amounting to £373 13s lid were passed for payment. The Council then rose.