GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 11687, 21 February 1902, Page 3

GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL

The monthly meeting of the Geraldine County Council was heid yesterday. Pre-sent—-Messrs J. Talbot (chairman), A. Kelman, B. E. Macdcmald, McOaskill, G. J. Dennistoun, and Dr Hislop. The chairman, in his opening remarks, stated that a letter had been received from .Mr Hamilton, who was at present in England, in which he informed the Council that owing to ill-health he would not be returning to the colony for some time, and therefore tendered his resignation as a member of the Council. ' He (the chairman) was sure that the - Council would regret very much that they were to lose such if useful member, as Mr Hamilton through illness. • At the last meeting he (the chairman) had been appointed to consult with the Council's solicitor and fix a date for the commission re the proposed Opuha bridge. He fixed the date early in March, and Mr White had corresponded with the proper authorities, but, as far as he knew, nothing further had been done in the matter. The Obuncil agreed with the Levels County Council's resolution re urging the Government making it compulsory to destroy small 1 birds. / Mr A. G. Nalder made a, claim for the loss of four lambs that fell through the stock-bridge over the south branch of the Bangitata river.—Not entertained, the Council having no responsibility. The District Engineer wrote that he would prepare an estimate for repairing the Rangitata South stock-bridge, but would prefer that the work be done by the Department's men. —Received. The Ashburton County Council wrote refusing to do anything in regard to this bridge as it was not in their district. Messrs Meason and Marchant sent a report on the present condition of the Opihi bridge, Main South Road, asking that a meeting be held with the Levels County Council at the bridge, to discuss matters in connection therewith. —The report recommended that the present length of bridge, viz., 1500 feet, be reduced to 800 feet, which would be ample to carry flood water, and that the whole bridge be now dismantled and all decayed timber replaced with sound wood.—Resolved that I the repi.rt be sent to the Levels Council, j with an invitation to name a date for a i conference. , .

The Geraldine Town Board wrote soliciting a grant of £5 per annum towards the local free reading room, and Messrs A. J. Mackay and Creemer waited on the Council on'hebalf of the Literary Institute on the matter—lt was agreed to give £5 for the current year. Mr T. Dickens. waited on the Council complaining thSit when his son took over the position of ranger for the Orari-Waihi i water-races he was given to understand that the races were left by the previous ranger in good order, and he found now that this was not so, and he. had double the work to do that he expected.—The Committee to be advised to come to an agreeable arrangement with the ranger to carry out the extra work. Mr Macdonald complained generally of the way in which water-race committees carried out their duties, and said lie had heard several complaints in his district about shortness of water. Accounts amounting to £BB 16s 6d we r e passed for payment. The Council then rose.