GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Timaru Herald, Volume 5264, Issue 5264, 15 October 1891, Page 3

GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly mooting of the Geroldioe County Council wan held yesterday. Proßont — Moasra W. Balfour (ohairman)^ X; Maokoyj J. Talbot, and M. Quinn. Mr P. W. Marchant, engineer, was m attendance WATEB BACKSMr Talbot reported on the result of an interview be find Mr Quinn bad had with Mr Humphrey and others on north-east Seadown, who desired to havo the (rater extended to their land. Mr Xalbet explained tho position fully. There appeared to have been a mibtako m the first instance Mr Humphrey, for inßtanoe, had pbiooted to having the water on tho understanding that, be wouldbe loft out of the water district. Ho however had boon inoluded m tbe district, and bad to pay both interest and maintenance rates. Seeing that they had to pay tbo rules the applioanta thought they aught to have tomethiog for thorn, and undor all tha ciroumstnnco»)fc must be admitted that they were suffering a hardship. He understood the water could be (applied to thorn for £30 or £60, and that

i the applicants were willing to make a substantial contribution to the cost. He had looked into the finances and found that there was about £60 m hand and £130 or £140 to be collected before the end of the year, so that they had £200 to come and go upon. Ha moved that tho application be granted provided tho applicants agree to pay one-third of the cost, and that tenders be called for the work as soon as a guarantee of suoh payment is given. Mr Q.uinn seconded the motion and spoke m support of it, and the chairman and Mr Mackay admitting its fairness, the motion was carried.

i Messrs J. Page and Kennedy waited on the oouncil to ask for a water-supply for Bangitata Island, east of the railway. Mr Page said there were 14 ratepayers, all of whom desired the water. The area to be served was about 10,000 acres. They wished to know first whether if any preliminary expenses were incurred and the work was not gone on with,, would the ratepayers have to pay them, and if so how much would thay, be likely to eomo to. !

Mr Page was informed that when there was a real desire for water the council made the preliminary examination without oharge to the ratepayers, and if the work went on the cost was oharged to the loan. The usual thing was for the ratepayers to sign a petition, stating the areas of their holdings and valuations, and asking for a water supply. Tho deputation thanked 'the council and withdrew.

Mr Talbot thought there was no necessity to wait for the format petition, and he moved and it was carried, that tho erjgifoer mako a trial survey and furnish approximate estimate of cost.

In a conversation on the nature o> the work, Mr Merchant said the distribution would be a very simplo matter, but the head* works would require very careful consideration. Mr Page had said there wbb not a drop of water m tho south branoh of the Bongitatu now, so the race must be taken from the north branch.

Mr Maobay raised the question whether the council could borrow money for this work as they had already undertaken works to the full extent of their borrowing powers for this and next year.

The engineers reported that tho Waitotii head-race oontraot was proceeding but slowly ; the water was urgently needed and (hoy awaited the council's instructions as to what stops should be taken with regard to it. Hhioontraot time expired on the 15th Septquibor. The distributing races' contract was pra-jifiilly completed as far as cbDstruotivo works were ooncerned, but could not be properly finished nor measured up until water was available. The rangers m the several districts reported, all m good order, except that m Bangitata and 1 Woodbury there was reason to complain of. growing gone and gorse-euttirjga choking raoes. One ranger named a ratepayer whose race was " shameless with gorso."

The clerk of works on tho Waitohi race contracts reported on the two contracts. The water could not be turned on for a we?k yet.. There were 19 men and horse teaira at work.

Mr Oalvort, contractor for tho distributing races, wrote complaining of loss through the water not being turned on. besides the loss of time, stock were treading down the race bunk?, and ha estimated the loos from this oanae at £3 per day. He ought to be allowed interest on bis deposit and maintenance fund, but -would be satisfied with £3 per day. (Mnmbers laughed at this and ex blaimed, " flos very moderate")

Mr Merchant said lie bad urged the contractor for the headworka ac much as he could to push on, but he complained that he could Dot got men.

It was resolved on the motion of Mr Talbot seconded by Mr Qiunn and carried :— " That the contractor for No 1 contract be informed that a claim for damages has been mndo upon the Oounoil by the contractor for No 2 contract, m consequence of tho delay m turning water into the races."

It was mentioned that there were two or three people desirous of buying or leasing the land bought by the council at the hand of the Waitohi race, and it was agreed that it would be better to sell it,

The engineers submitted a report on the subject of waterirjg the Otipua district. The nrea defined on the accompanying map was about 6800 acrea. Ttio proposed site of intake was immediately by Mr Elworthy's limekiln on the aouth bank of the Pareora ; 825 ft of (turning would bo needed to carry the water acrosß tha river. This wort, aud the heavy work of cutting races on the down lands, combined to increase the oat considerably above the average cost per aore of similar works. The cost was estimated at £2600. Allowing £130 per annum for interest and £70 for maintenatjcd, the annual cost would be slightly over 8d per ftere pet* annum. Considering the scarceness of water and the gonerally vaiuablo nature of the land m the district, the ooßt would be reasonable. There was a large area of land betweca the district marked on the plan and the river, which waß ezoluded beoause they were informed there was no general desire on the part of ewners to join m the scheme, no there was a certain amount of natural water on the flat. Probably however when the races were running overtares would be made to the oounoil to ezlend the races to certain lands on the southern side, and the oast to the original district would thus bo reduced. To the northward of the proposed district the ground was very broken, and there was no demand for a water supply. If at any future time a demand should arieo it could be supplied, but the cost would be very considerable.

In a convocation on the report Mr Marchant said ho was disappointed at not being able to inolude more land to tho north of Beaconefleld, but the land was so broken into short downs that it would be very expensive. Thore was a valley three-quarters of a mile wide which could only be crossed by a oast iron siphon. — Plan and estimate to bo referred to the petitioners for consideration. :

A note from the Colonial Treasury pointed out that the poll on tha question of raising a loan for the Waitohi races was taken for the original district. A fresh poll mast bo taken for tha enlarged distriot. — Mr Stubbs said he had acted upon this, and advertised the preliminary meeting. BBIDOEB. Tho engineers reported that the repairs to the Orari bridge wore proceeding satisfactorily, but the work wna being delayed by tlie nondelivery of tho balance of blaok-biroh planking. (This arrived m port on Tuesday,) Tendera for repairs to tbe Saltwater Oreek bridge bad been invitod, and they would bo glad to have the council consider the proposed regulations for traffio during tha repairs, Tenders wero opened for tho Saltwater Oreek bridgo repairs as fallows: — W. Flotoher, £298 10s (aooeptod), D. Sturrock £323 4j 6d. MrMarohsnt explained that ho had drawn up specifications so 09 to provide for tbe continuance of trnfllo over the bridge, except during two nights, to permit of the planking being done, and that the contractor should give four days notico of such complete stoppage. It would be necessary to stop traction obgino traffio nltpgethor while the work was m hand. The contractor was required to facilitate traffic ao muoh as possible, and if necessary to aisist people with timid horses. ; The Oounoil dooided that it ebould be made a condition of the rontraot that nothiag Bhould be doric until all the material woo on the ground, iind everything ready for tie work. " ; ■ ■..'.■ I Tho clerk to the Weimate County Oounoil wrote that the timber m the old lowor Pareora bridgo was being romorod for firewood and fenclug. The coo^noil should aoo thnt a stop was .pufc.tb it.— The police to ba communicated with. '....". ' MiaOBMiANBOnS. , Mr Qazp, clerk to the Temuka Town Board, wrote complaining of a nuisance arising from the condition of a elaughteryatd near the town. — Mr Quinn to see to it. Oommuhicatibns from tho Commissioner of Folice and tha Inspector, informed tbe counoil that mounted constables would be permitted to act as inspectors of slaughter* houses m tbe district, and that the question at thoir remuneration rested entirely with tbe oounoil. Information, ia reply to inquiries, was recolvbd from Waitaki and Bolwyn County Councils' aa to •laughtorhouso fees and oosfc of inspnetion. . The whole quoßiion wns hold ot or. On tk'oottununioation from tho olerk to tho Arowhonua Town Board respcotiug arrears of harbour rates, the olerk was instructed to

[ obtain statements of amounts collected aad still due, and see about issuing summonses for amounts unpaid. A momber complained that m his district a great many dogs were running about unregistered, and ho moved and it waß carried, that the dog tax collectors be notified to take all necessary Bteps to collect the tax, and sue for the same if necessary.

A resolution was received from the Geraldine Road Board, expressing regret that the County Council bad disapproved of . Mr Rhodes' notion m the Houbo m reference to a proposed alteration of the county constitution; tho remarks of the members were somewhat [misleading and uncalled for. The members fully approved of the suggestion made the previous da; by tho Levels Hoad Board that the names of applicants for property tax assessorships should be submitted .to the looal bodies. Immense troublo, it wan stated, had been oaused by inefficient asseasmontß last time ; " simply disgraceful," one momb'jr. osid the roll of hia district was. — Permission was given to the T.A.P.A. to hold their monthly committee meetings m the largo room of tho council's offices. Accounts amounting to £749 17e lid were passed for payment.' It was resolved to hold a speoial meeting on the 22nd instant to consider and adopt .the traction engine by-laws, and the council rose.