GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 2770, 9 August 1883, Page 3

GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

An ordinary meeting of this Council was held yesterday. Members present — Mr 0. G. Tripp (Chairman) and Messrs Clulee, Paterson, Moody, Talbot, McKerrow and Sherratt. The Secretary, Mr F. W. Stubbs, was also present. The minuteo of last ordinary and of a epeoial meeting were read and confirmed. IRRIGATION. The Chairman read a letter he had received from the Member for Geraldine, Mr Fostlethwaitp, forwarding information about the proposed Geraldine County Waterworks Bill. Mr Postlethnsile thought, however, that the amended Counties Act would answer all the CJeraldine County requirements. He also forwarded a copy of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives. Some doubt was expressed by the Council that the Counties Amendment Act might not pass the House this session, and as parts ol the Geraldine County were muoh m need of irrigation works, the following resolution, proposed by Mr Moody and seconded by Mi Talbot, was unanimously carried—" That the Members for South Canterbury, Me»»rs Butter, Turnbull and Poetlethwaite, be re : quested to urge the paising of the Gountiei Amendment Act this session, as a jear would be lost m organising an irrigation supply whioh was much needed m parts of thii County, if the amendment does not pass thii session." THE BANQITATA BBIDQE. The Chairman s»id the solicitor to th Asbburton County Oounoil, Mr 0. W. Pur nell, had written demanding payment withii fourteen days of half the cost of the Bangi Uta bridge, or else legal proceedings wouli be taken to «cover the amount. Oi receipt of this the Chairman said b did not call a special meeting, nor did he le any necesiitj for the Council delaying prt ceedingi. What [he proposed wb», ond h had giren the due notice, tbat the reiolutio passed at thej last meeting of the Oouno

should be resoinded. He thought it necessary to do this. Of courso the Council had it m their own hands, atd it was for them to say whether whut ho proposed should be done, or that they should go to law. Mo was ave rao to the latter proceeding, as it would take a lot of money. This Council should hare on opportunity of enquiring fully into the matter, and learn what position tho Ashburton County Council were going to take up with regard to it. Perhaps it would bo wise to hare the suggestion made by one of the members last meeting tried — have the work reported on by two competent enginoori. Mr McKerrow explained to tho Board what actiou Mr Clulee, Mr Moody, and himself had taken m the matter. Ho now suggested that a deputation from Ilie Council wait upon the Aehburton County Council and lay the whole matter plainly and fully before them. If they did so thero was not the slightest doubt but that tho members of thut body would do all m their power to eomo to a satisfactory arrangement with this Council. He deprecated going to law about it, os he did not toi any necessity for such a proceeding. To his mind their Chairman was far too ready to comply with the Aehburton County Council's wishes to act against this Council. Iho Chairman said th.t it was no use fending a deputation up to Ashburlon, unless they did aa he proposed. The deputation would bo bound by the resolution passed at last meeting, and tho Ashburton County Council would simply tell them to wait until a flood came. By euoh a proceeding the Council would bo simply making fojls of Ihomsclvos. Mr Moody hud no doubt the Council were of opinion they would havo to puy the money owing, provided the work had been dono m a •atisfactory man! e.\ Still ho thought it not unreasonable or unfair m aeking to hare tho work tested by a flood. Ho had lately been orer tho bridjo, and from casual remarks made had gathered that eomo of tho iron piles had broken m driving, and that nothing had boen dono to repßir them. In tlia course of the next two months thero was almost sure to be a flood m tho river, and if tho bridge stood tho test, he would bo m favor of the money being handed ovor. I Mr Talbot m seconding Mr Tripp's resolution Biid that ho had not altered his mind m the slightest, and slill belioved that tho tes' proposed by Mr Moody was too indefinite Tho only way to find out about tho piles was for tho Council to appoint engineers togoand examine them, and then to report to the Council. The Council should, if possible, avoid going to taw. Tho best thing to do was to rescind tho resolution passed at lust meeting, and then appoint a deputation to wait ou the Ashburton County Council. Mr Sherrntt agreed with Mr Talbot. Ho suggested that an engineer appointed by both Councils bo engaged to report on it. As regarded the quoßtion of the flood test, he thought it did not much mntior.BS this Council would have to pay whether the bridge was carried away or not. Mr Moody explained tint as disputes between governing bodies wero gonerally Bettled by Government lie should like to make the proposal to Iho Ashburton County Council that they ask Government to appoint eonioono to settle this dispute If tho Ashburton County Council wanted to go to law about it, this Council should not binder them. The case could not eomo on before tho December silting, and by that time the bridge would have been well tested by floo.ls. Ho did not feel inclined to rescin 1 his former resolution, and would thereforo votj ngainst tho ono before tho Council. Mr Tripp's motion — "That the resolution passed nt last meeting of this Council re Rangitata bridge, bo rescinded," was then put and carried. A discussion then took pace uprn the appointment of a deputation. Somo of the members wcro of opinion such n proceeding was quite unnecessary, wbi'st others held n contrary view, and thought it was quite right that the Council should hare tho opportunity of fully inspecting the articl«they wrr<s asked to bear half the cost of. It was decided on the motion of Mr Talbot, jeonded by Mr Tripp — " That tho Chairman, Mr McKerrow, and tho mover, bo asked to form a deputu tion to wait on the Ashburton Comcil and oxpbin to that body the position Uken up by this Council m tho matter of tho .Rangitata Bridge question." The Clerk was authorised to inform fie Ashburton County Council of the abovo deoision, and to arrange all matters m connection therewith. At a later stage of the mcoting Mr Tulbot moved, Mr Moody seconded, and it w<»i carried — "That the Qeraldine and Mount Peel Road Boards bo asked that m the ovent of the Gemldino County Council having to pay onj-half of the co«t of tho Rangitata Bridge extension, w:ll they bo prepared to contribute £1000 each out of their ordinary fund, as, failing the contribution being made, this Council will consider tho question of levying a special rate on their district. Before the Council adjourned, Mr Faterson gave notico of motion as follows : — " That a rats of Jd m the £1 bo 6truck to defray half the cost of tho Bnngitata bridge." MOUNT COOK. Tho Chairman brought undor tho notico of tho Council tho fact that tho residents of the district of Mount Cook had petitioned to havo that district formed into a County. The Council had, of course, nothing to say against such a proceeding, but he thought it was hardly a wiso one. It was no doubt m large part owing to their having to pay a •hare of the cost of the Rangitnta bridge. The district hardly used that bridge at all, and thereforo were avcreo to helping to pay for it. Mr Clulee assured the Chairman that such was not tho oase ; whilst other members were of opinion that nil Boards alike would havo to pay their (hare of all liabilities. The Chairman said he had brought tho matter heforo tho Council for the purpose of asking them whether they thought it desirable that a county rate should be Btruok at onco. Beforo diseasing the matter, it was suggested that it be deferred until the deputation i appointed to wait on the Ashburton County Council had reported to the Council tho result of their interview. onni dhidoe. ; A telegram was received from the Assistant . TJnder-Socretary for Public Works, stating that the Opihi bridge could only be considered under section 32 of the Roads and Bridges l Construction Aot, which providod for tho whole amount to be repaid, as m the caao of : district roads. He asked the Council if they desired it considered undor that section. If so, it would be necessary to send some evidence that the bridge required rebuilding through fair wear and tesr. A key plan, - showing its locality, would also require to be forwarded. Mr Talbot quoted clauses of the Aot bearl ing on such matters. He explained that the ■. Boad Board was of opinion the Council should • havo the management of Buch works. It was ;, impossible almost for tbe Boad Board to o make good roads at a large cost and build f bridges as well. |, Mr Moody thought a special rate should bo struck for the purpose of assisting to build 3 bridges, and that tho County Council should i. carry Bach works out, or oleo the Council c should subsidise the local bodies £1 for £1. 1. Mr Tj»lbot thon moved, Mr Moody seconded c and it was carried — " That the Government o bo informed that this Council are prepared 0 to amend its application for aid under the >f Eoads and Bridges Construction Aot m the direction pointed out by the Under-Secrotary il for Poblio Works, vide telegram to the Coun,t oil of 26th July." }f KOAD3 AND EBIDQES. 'f A communication was received from Peel n > Forest recommending tho Cattle "Valley Boad f r and the road from tbe Bangitata Traffic 18 Bridge to Mesopotamia be declared main r8 roads by tboCounoil. After the Chairman e .~ had explained to the CounoH what such a es proceeding meant, the following moved by Id Mr Talbot and seconded by Mr Moody, was y> carried : — " That the application of the Mount >■ Peel Boad Board to havo certain roads de'•s clared main roads undor tb,e Boads and Bridges Construction. Act of 1882, receive tbe endorsement of this Council, and that the " c Government be asked to declare the two lines ', r ' of road indicated main roads, and that the im plans accompanying tho application be forB l " warded to the Minister for Publio Works." ild The Temukn Boad Board wrote asking Iho -* n Council to take over the Temuka bridge. This to njatter was, on the motion of Mr Moody, ice deferred for consideration to next meeting. to The Mount Cook Boad Board wrote re the ne stoppage of a road m their district, and asked °P that the usual certificate be granted them co oil that they could tell the land. After a little

liacusiion the matter was left m the hands of ho Chairman. LICENSES. Messrs James Orr and S. Hatfield were ranted second-class elaughter-houso licenses. FINANCIAL. Tho following statement showing nrea and ateablo valuo of property m the Qeraldine lounty for 1883 was laid on tho Council ible:-LeTcls Hiding— ll9o ratepayers, 88,000 acros freehold, 6000 acres leasehold, iteablo ralue £1,654,188; Temuka— s93, 1,077, 7788, £776,055) Qeraldine— 6ss, 4,358, 25,000, £4G0,585 ; Mount C00k— 247, 67,500, 822,300, £674.027 ; Mount Peel— 3, 85,400, 266.410, £392,491. After accounts amounting to £17 le 6d had een passed for payment, the Council alurnod till the second Wednesday m Sepimbor.