GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13601, 22 May 1908, Page 6

GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

The usual monthly meeting was held yesterday. Present—Messrs G. J. Dennistoun, A. Kelman, S. Wright, B. R. McDonald, and A. Metcalf. In the ab-

sence of Mr J. Talbot, Mr Dennistoun was appointed to the chair. A resolution confirming that passed at the last meeting in connection with the loan was passed on the mo'tion of Mr Metcalf, seconded by Mr Wright, and a further resolution that the .«eal of the Council be affixed to the resolution.

Mr J. Robinson, Allandale, wrote complaining of the unsatisfactory nature of the fence erected on the new road through the property leased by him, and , said that the fence was not sufficiently hiirh, being only 3ft 3in.—The chairman said that the owner of tho property was satisfied with the fence, which he was convinced was a- good one.—ihe lei.-er was received. Mr F. W. Marchani wrote in reference lo the new decking required for Rolleston\; road bridge, advising the use of red pine, which was sufficiently good in consideration of the age of the bridge. The difference in cost of red pine and hardwood would he £72 and £IOO respectively.—The matter was, held over for consideration at the next, meeting. The chairman, Waitohi Water Race Committee, reported that the races were all in good older, and that there was plenty of water. Accounts for £5 had been passed for payment.—Received. The chairman, Orari-Rangitaia Water Race Committee, reported a fair supply of water in all the races, except the race supplying Mr Donnithome, which was' leaking into the shingle. The worst places had been puddled by the ranger, who hoped to get the water through before tha hot weather.

Throughout laet summer complaints were frequently made to the Council by the ratepayers in the (Jiari-Waiiii district of an insufficiency of water. The Council at their Ajjril meeting appointed three of the members to meet the ratepayers interested, with the object of arranging a combined system of inspection with the Orari-Rangitata district. Mr B. 11. McDonald now reported that -with iles?rs Ivelmaii and Metcalf lie had inspected the races in company with several of the complaining settlers, of whom there weie several present at the meeting. They appeared to be iu favour of forming another committee. The race through Mr Flatman's was found to be very bad with leaks, and he suggested thai a loop be made where the worst place was to avoid the leaks. He also suggested trapping the ehingle at the foot of the cutting, and so avoid a lot of the. present trouble. A vote of thanks was accorded to the three members who had attended taie meeting and "inspected the races. A deputation of seven ratepayers, for whom .Mr F. R. Flatman jun. acted as spokesman, waited on the Council. Mr Flatman said that they were very dissatisfied with the way things had been carried on, but before forming another committee they wished to understand « heir position properly, especially in regard to the Raukapuka race. He said the porous nature of the ground in the district would always make; it the most difficult of all the waterrace districts to deal with. He was of opinion that the leakage was increasing every year and tliafc in time the majority of the races would have to be reformed. Mr A. McLean said the trouble had started on his property M'here they put in a lot of concrete work but the water got away underneath the concrete*

Mr Charles expressed the opinion that it was since the race plough had been brought into use that the leaks had increased.

Mr Flatman wanted to know what the agreement/ with Campbell Bros. was in regard to tail water.

.Mr 13. H. McDonald read the agreement which said nothing about tail waiter but was to the effect that Messrs Campbell Bros, should have the use. of the surplus water of an amount equal to what they would bo entitled to if Raukapuka were within the water-race district and to be entiled to a similar quantity of water as was in the race for two miles above.

ill* Flatman pointed out that the. agreement naid nothing about the cost, of maintenance which, was one of the principal points of the deputation inquiry. Mr Stubbs explained that the balance sheet showed that a separate account -was kept, for the Raupakuka race. The £ls paid by Campbell .Bros, went into the genera L funds of the Council out of which also was paid the expenses of maintenance.

Mr Flatman and other membera of the deputation spoke at considerable length of the money spent in "forcing" the water down to Kaukapuka wliich they were of opinion was quite unwarranted. They were entirely dissatisfied with existing arrangements and under the oircuinstan<-■

they did not consider themselves justified in forming a, committee to assume the responsibilities of carrying on the races as at present managed. The clerk of works reported visiting the

Allandale bridge for 10 days, Waihi-Orari water-races 7j days, Tripps race 2 days. Woodbury race 6£ days, Opilii bridge 1 day. Tile clerk, Mackenzie County Council reported having in response to the request of -the Geraldine County applied to the Land Hoard for the control of the portion of the riverbed fronting the Allandale bridge on the Mackenzie County fcide. The South Canterbury Education Board wrote asking the Council to attend 'to fumigating tlie schools in the county.—Lo be informed that the Council has neither the inspector nor the appliances for the work. f Mr C. Lewis asked for a lease of the rc.servo at RJi-ngitata, bridge. ottering to clear the gorse and pay £1 10s per year after two years. The Under-Secretary for Crown Lands advised that the reserve could be vested in the Ashburton and Gevaldine Counties for their joint benefit.—lt was decided to write to the Department asking tliet the reserve be vested in the Geraldine County Council only us it was entirely in their district. It, was decided to call for tenders for the Hanging R-ock bridge contract. Accounts amounting to £139 16s 3d were passed for payment.