GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XL, Issue 2938, 22 February 1884, Page 3

GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

A mooting of the Q-eraldine County Oourjoil was held jesterday. Present — Messrs J. C. MoKerrow (Chairman), J.Tatbot, R. Macfcuy, j A. Sherratt and W. Moody. i COBHBSrONDESCB. i The minutes of the previous meeting having boen confirmed, correspondence was rend as follows : — From the Mount Peel Road Board, asking tke Council to remit the tux oc rabbitors 1 dog«. — Decided that the requoet could not be complied with. From the Department of Justice, relative to the Baukapuka licensing diet riot, stating that the Caiamittea kaving been eleoted, the name would not be changed, as had been iuquested, as that would necessitate ft fresh election. From Meura White and Smitheon, giving opinion on the right of ths Council to collect rates from the Timaru Borough Council on the water raco reserve, thair opinion being that the Council has such right ; bat tho point was a nice one, and they suggested that they be allowed to consult other couniel. After a little diecusaion, it was resolved to defer further consideration of the matter till next meeting, pending the result of the action being taken by the Levels Road Board on a similar claim. From the Levels Road Board, regarding the stoppage of certain roads m the Levels district. The usual steps had boen taken, by the Bosd Bo.ird to secure the consent of pertons interested, no objuction had been made, and it was resolved lo confirm the aotion of the Board and close tha roads. A similar communication from the Tencuka Road Board was informal, no proper pl-in of the roads to b« dejlt with being seat. BIiAUGHTBBHOT/335 . A long discussion took place on certain communications that had been reoeived with reference to a complaint that a run bolder m the County bad been selling meat without having a license. Some members thought the ovidence available would be quite insufficient to secure a conviction, especially as (be person who made the complaint refused lo render any assistance. Ibis person's conduct was strongly commented on by some of the inemberß. The alleged offender denied that he had sold any meat. It '»aa agreed that if no better evidence could 'be obtained than at present offered, the matter must be allowed to drop, but the Inspector was directed to make some fuither inquiries. BMAII. BIBBS NT/IS ANCB. Proposed by Mr Talbot, aeoonded by Mr Moody and carried — "That a subsidy of £ for £be made to th} different Road Bourds m the Countyon their' expenditure re small birds nuisance, such expenditure to be based on an uniform pi-ice paid for eggs and young birds of 2d pet dozen In each case, and exclusive of any cont of collection." OFIBI BBtDQB ECTBKSIOS. A letter was read from' the Publio Works Department intimating that £2938, tho sum applied for under the .Roads and Bridges Construction Act for the reconstruction of the old portion of the Opihi Bridge, had been granted, and tbfl Council was cautioned against spending nny portion of the money on any other works than bridges. Full directions were sent for taking a poll of the ratepayers to determine whether a special rate should be levied to provide for the repayment of the money, and the directions for striking the rate if agreed to. On the question whether the whole County should be muds litble, or a portion should be npecially rated, it was decided to rate the whole County. Mr Moody remarked thai the terms of repayment were very easy, and it will a cheap nay of getting bridges built. H« would like to see a few more bridges undertaken on the same footing. Ha congratulated the Counoil on obtaining the grant-. They wore m a very different position from the Brace County, which had applied for £60,000 and got! about £700, after (pending £780 on plans, eto. The Chairman was authorised to take the necessary stepa to, have the poll taken, and an; other requirements of the law complied with. : Mr Talbot, m accordance with notioa given, moved, and Mr Moody seconded, that the sum expended by the Tomuka and Levels Road Boards on tbo maintenance of the Opibi bridge since December, 1882, be refunded to those bodies. A rather warm discussion took place on this motion. Mr Sherratt strongly opposed it, as ho had done before, became the Council bad refused to take over the Oraribridge from the Geraldino Road Board. If the proposal vrere made to apply to all bridges on main roads be would vote for it, but he must protest aguinut the propojal as it stood. It waa the uxpmiditure of so much money m that ona ; looality that had caused so much talk about suspending the Act, and if the motion was carried, tho poll on tho specs! il rate to secure the grant for the same bridgii would bo strongly opposed m the Qenldine dlstriot. If tbe Do a noil had any money to distribute among Road Boards, it should be divided among lihem all. Mr Mackay spoke m tho same strain. Tbe Chairman reminded tho members for Oersldine and Mount Peel Ridings of the t.mount paid and to bo paid on account; of tho llangilota bridge. Tboy replied that the bridge was only osod for stock,_ and wan couch mora used by stookowners m Temuka and Levels districts than by tho»e of (Seraicine or Mount Peel. , Mr Moody pointed out that the principal port of the cost of tho Rangitata bridge, and of all works paid for out of rates, muit come f rota the Temuka and Levels Ridings, end Mr Talbot that the fund out of which tho grant h» proposed would b» paid, came principally f.-om dog tax and license fees m tbone two IlidißgS. Mr Talbot suggeitod, and Mr Moody concurred with biro, thai if. there was to bo any opposition to the rate for the grant promised, the Levels and Temukv distriot*. might take the responsibility of it themselves, and let all other districts do the inme by their yrorks. _ Mr Sberratt said Qeraldine would be quite willing to accept that principle mther than soe moneys voted as t roposed by tho motion, oil do principle at ull. The motion was lost, the mover and •toondor voting for it, and tbe Other throe members againit it. ' AOOOCKTS. Aoooantj to this aaiiunt of £63 7* 8d woj'o piissod for payment. An account from Menurs White and Smithson, for opiniom given to Mr Cluloo as to his rl^ht to sit on the Hit'li School Board as th<» repro«6nfufci»o of the ,Oouncil after tbn eepaMiion'of Hie Biding foiirl|i(i!i he was nionibor, was ordered to bo renamed, us the Oonnoil had not authorised tho expenditure. fClisi Storetary stated that tho Bank account wm In oredit *320 on

. c i ra\ account und £584 on special rate lux.iuut, and that iibout JBIOOO of the rate we atill outstanding. , NOTJCE3 OF MOTIOIf. The following notices of motion were given for next mreling :-- By Mr Talbot— " That this Council taka over the maintenance of. the bridges on bib-mi roads m the County." . . i By Mr -Moody—' 1 That each district bear its own special rate for works carried ont'iri it unde,rthe Roads and Bridges Construction. 1 Act." ■.".;< By Mr giierratt-r-" T.bdt a aum of money, equal to the amount spent by tho Road Boards m the maintenance of bridges m each district last year, cbe recouped to eaob Board." The meetine then, terminated.