GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL

Timaru Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 1660, 14 January 1895, Page 3

GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL

The Gevaldine County Council mci , on Saturday. Present— Messrs J. Talbol (chairman), Mackay, White, Dennis ' toun, Kelman, andQuinn. Anapologj was received from Mr Murray. ■ The Engineers' reported as follows :—

" Orari Bridge, Rolleston's Road— This contract is proceeding satisfactorily, and should be finished m four or five weeks. " Opihi Bridge, Main Road. We would remind the Council that the question of repairing the northern part of this bridge, or diverting the river, must not be lost sight of. If any action is to be taken m connection with our report of 11th April last all preliminaries should be settled shortly so that the work could be commenced next May as recommended m that report. " Rangitata Water Races.— We visited these works last Monday. Two races are flowing m Mr Rolleston's land, but the southern races interseoting and fronting Newlands are giving great trouble ; gorse has overgrown them, and causing the loss of nearly all the water flowing. Wo are doing our best to staunch the leaks, but it, will not be satisfactory until new racers are cut quite clear of the gorse thickets 1 . " This is the last meeting at which we shall occupy the position of general supervisors of the county works, consequent upon the division of the county, We beg to thank the Council for the many kindnesses and great consideration we have received during our long connection with them." The engineers' report of April last was i read, recommending that the northern half of the Opihi bridge be not reconstructed when it requires it, but that the river be confined by a willow fence and embankment. It was resolved on the motion of Messrs Mackay and White— ''That a copy of the Engineers' report on the Opihi bridge of April 11th last, be sent to the Levels County Council with a request for an expression of opinion from them as to the desirability of carrying out the work proposed for restraining the river ; also to inform them that the supervision' of the bridge should be undertaken by either their Couucil or ours as may be agreed upon." The opinion was expressed that this council ought to have the control. In regard to the Rangitata races, Mr Marchant said the ground is a good deal cracked and the water flows away. The gorse had been cut on Newlands, but the roots still led the water away. On the last paragraph of the report the chairman remarked that so far as he knew the connection had been pleasant and satisfactory. All the works, and there had been some important ones, had been most satisfactorily carried out. The water systems had been constructed by the engineers, and had proved most valuable at a moderate cost. A letter from the Levels Council inquired how much strychnine this Council have on hand,and what it was proposed to do with it.— lt was stated that there are 330 ounces m stock, and it was agreed to divide the stock. The Orari-Waihi committee reported that the river had been low and left the filtei'-box, and the ranger had to dig a channel to bring the water to the race. Mr Gould's tender at £30 was accepted for the post of ranger. The Geraldine Flat committee referred to the Council a claim by Mr Allan for remission of rate. — It was stated that Mr Allan pays only interest rate, and it was determined to let it stand. The Waitohi committee reported and supported an application for water for four sections by Mr Chapman, the applicants to bear the expense. .The ranger reported that the races had been tampered with and damaged several times, and considerable quantities "of water wasted. The committee resolved to hand over such cases m future to the Council for prosecution. The ranger asked for the return of the " harpoon" used for clearing roots out of the filterbox. The committee respectfully requested that the services of the engineers be dispensed with ; the rate presses heavily and all expenses ought to be saved where possible. It was agreed that a stop must be put to wilful damage to races by prosecutions if necessary. Mr C. Miller, Rangitata Island, wrote offering to repair the fence leading to the stock bridge if the. material was sent him. There was a dangerous hole m the voad that ought to bo filled m without delay. — Letter received. The Geraldine Town Board wrote offering the free use of their building for the transaction of the Council's business. — The chairman and Mr Dennistoun to examine the two offices offered, next Tuesday. In reply to some inquiries regarding slaughterhouse license fees for farmers killing for sale, it was decided after a long discussion to obtain Mr White's opinion on the matter ; and if this is m favdur of a differential commutation fee, such fees to be accepted, with a minimum of £1. A long letter was read form Mr Kinnerney on the question whether the severance of Levels County from Geraldine County excludes the former from the South Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid district. Mr White had had given the Levels Council an opinion that the severance does so exclude the Levels, and therefore the new county is not liable to pay and cannot pay a contribution to the Board. The Levels Couucil were willing and desirous to pay if they could legally do so, and it was agreed to take further advice, and the chairmen of both counties laid the case before Mr Kinnemey. The latter is of opinion that the severance of the county does not exclude the new county, either as to liability to contribute to the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, or as to representation ontheßoard.except temporarily m respect to the latter. $|v Kinnemey supported his opinion by numerous quotations from and references to the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act. He furthermore pointed out that the last levy made, having become a debt of the district before the severance, the Levels was liable for that m any case. — Members considered the opinion most exhaustive and conclusive. A letter from Mr Tothill, Invercargill, urged that Californian thistles should be carefully cut down on road lines.— Mr Kelman said there was a good deal of this thistle m the Waihi riverbed. It would be the biggest enemy the farmer could have. — The chairman said he did not know much about it, but he recollected that every new weed was going to ruin the country. The road boards would be the proper bodies to look after the thistle on the roads.— MrDennistoun thought the Agricultural Department ought to make and bear the expense of experiments on the eradication of the weed. — Mr Mackay said he had tried sulphuric acid on the thistle m vain. It burned it down, but it came again. — It was agreed to send a copy of the letter to the several road boards m the county, with a recommendation to take action if necessary. „■•-■. Accounts were passed for payment to £741 0s 4d, including £301 3s 5d for half year's interest on various water-race loans. : The Council rose at 1 p.m.