GERALDINE COUNTS COUNCIL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 5290, 26 August 1905, Page 1

GERALDINE COUNTS COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the Geralclinc County Council was held on Thursday. Present—Messrs J. Talbot (chairman), A. Kolman, B. 11. Maodotuikl, A. Metcalf, and G. J. Dennistonn. CHAIRMAN'S REMARKS. The chairman stated that the extension of the Orari-AVaihi water race through part of the Raukapuka Estate had received attention, and he had instructed Mr Hay to deal with the legal aspects of the question. Regarding traction engine heavy haulage, at the conference of local bodies it was decided to take prelimiaary steps to pass by-laws to deal with the traffic. So far he had not heard of any results, but Mr Hay had advised that the question of a fee should be decided. Now that they knew that traction engine owners were liable for damage, done to the roads by heavy traffic during wet weather, a dilfierent complexion had been ptit on the question, in*the first place it ivas" proposed to put 'a prohibitive fee on traction engines used for heavy haulage, but now that the engine owners knew they were liable for damage a smallerfee would perhaps suffice, and the traffic need not be interfered with in good weather, when tho roads are in good order. DEPUTATION.

Dr Tlislop and Mr J. Mating waited on tho Council asking for a grant towards the funds of the Gcraldine Domain Board for the up-keep of the park. I)r Hislop stated that the amount raised by the Board and local Sports Association for tho caretaker's salary and the up-keep of the Domain was.'not sufficient to cover the expenses. He produced letters from the Ashburton County Council and Mr Eollcslon staling that the Council could legally make a grant. 31 r Maling mentioned that now the Government were taking possession of the bush reserves the Domain Board would lose the rent of some of these properties. The Gcraldine Borough Council, he understood, would make a grant. Mr Talbot said that if the County Council made a grant to the Gcraldine Domain other Domain. Boards would be entitled to similar grants, and might apply for them. Dr ifislop replied that other Domain Boards had reserves to draw an income from in the way of rents, and Gcraldine had nana. He also pointed out that the Gcraldine Domain was made use of by a great many county ratepayers. On the motion of Mr 13. R. Macdonahl seconded bv Mr Dennistoun, it was resolved that the Gcraldine Domain Board l;e voted a grant of £lO.

CORKKS I'ON DENG F. Messrs Meason & Marehanf reported satisfactory progress was being made with Toomey's crossing bridge over the T!ae-hae-te-moana river. A second progress payment of £250 was now due and payable to the contractor }},, river encroachment above Opihi bridge, Pleasant Point, they had vsited the site with Mr Cooper, overseer Temuka Road Board, on Monday, Hill i" st - As ins(ructe(.l_ they had put the work in hand, as it was vei-v urgent indeed. There was no doubt that this was a highly dangerous place, and ought to be well defended. The Temuka Road Boards road'was in danger, and damage would be done to the Opihi bridge approach if the river happened to break over at the point referred to. He advised tint the terrace should be. protected for a length of six chains by boulders encased in wire netting laid as bolsters and thickly planted with willows. —Work approved. From Mount Peel Road Board askin,,, if the Council would dispose of live 30 feet s(ill> iron rails.—Kails to be supplied from stock if suitable; also ascertain what quantity of rails the Council has on hand. The Gcraldine Road. Board sent a letter from Mr William Regan, bird trapper, which was read at their last „„..tino- recommending the purchase/, f ur more of Mr Kind's patent bird traps.-Council approves of recommenW. -I. Steward, Wellington, wrote that along with their member, Mr V R Flatmnn, he waited on the Minister of Public Works in -support of the application for a_ grant ot £IOOO towards the cost ot a bridge over the Opihi at Fairlie It would strengthen their hands ,t the Coune.l would again apply to the Mimster direct.—Received. From the Gcraldine Road Board sending their resolution respecting heavy Irnflie on roads thai they viewed with alarm the serious damage that was being done to roads m tne district-Received. Mr W Shiers forwarded a cutting from a North Island paper giving a description of a cheap suspension hride-e, which appeared to him to bo suitable for the Opihi river at Noahs \rk. The cost would bo about one half' of a pile bridge and, if built in 1 SOft spans, would have a clear waterway a "i-eat advantage over pile bridges with about 20ft or 3Qft spans. Xo doubt if Mr Flatman was communicated with he would, obtain a tracing with all particulars from Mr Hogg or Mr Dawson.—Mr Marchant's opinion to be obtained on receipt of further particulars from Mr Flatman. . From Mr 'I 1 . Orr, chairman of the Waitohi Flat Water Race District Com that the ranger had trouble to get men during the winter to work in the river even at 1/ per hour. Thd terrace and hendworks were now in order for the year.—Read. PAY SHEET. Accounts amounting- to £372 7/-1 were passed for payment. The meeting then terminated. .