GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL

Timaru Herald, Volume CVI, Issue 16235, 3 April 1917, Page 3

GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL

• MONTHLY MEETING. At the 'monthly meeting of the, Geraldine County. Council' yesterday. Present—Colonol Mackenzie, Messrs Flatman, Armitage, Grant, Mulvihiil, Ellis, and Lysaglit. _ The chairman said that the receipts since last meeting were £69 17s, and their debtor balance at the bank was £Bl 16s 3d, but they had £lO7l 4s 6d on fixed deposit, with interest due. They had payments to meet, and they ' would soon have an overdraft, though this had been arranged for. Regardingthe Te Moana water race and the desire of two residents of the district to obtain water, they being willing to be rated, he had seen the Council's' solicitor as to providing that, in the event of the present landowners selling, their successors would be liable to water rate, and Mr /"Walton said ho would loot into the matter. CLERK OF WORKS' REPORT. Mr Billings reported that the putting in of boulder gabions at the Kangitata head works nad been completed. Me had put in posts at the Valley bridge, and tarred- various other bridges. He reported on improvements in hand on the Waitohi races. He asked if the Council intended to replace the boulder gabions at the Upper Orari bridge, as the river had low for some time. The Victoria bridge required two coats of paint. It was agreed that members should inspect the , Orari bridgt in company with the clerk of works. Mr Billings made amplication for increased remuneration, and said he would be satisfied with an «xtra shil-, ling a day, the cost of keeping his' horses having increased. It was stated' that Mr Billings was receiving £215 and the Council decided to decline the request. . WATER RACES. Mr Davey,' chairman of the Waitohi Committee, wrote tnat Mi- McCabe had repaired tne race, but had net made a good job of it. Mr Hutchison had cleaned nis race. Mr Pearse's race was in a bad state.—lt was stated that notice had been sent to Mr John Peaiise. Mr D. Wilkinson, chairman of the Geraldine Flat Committee, reported' the re-election of Mr McPhedran, and' that a vote of confidence in the Committee had been carried unanimously. The Committee had decided to remove culvert and deepen the race -runnin<* through Mr Craig's property,, and to" clean out races running along roaos and tail races. There was a plentiful supply of water in all the races. A memorandum of agreement signed by all the landowners obtaining water from the Four Beeks race consenting' to Mr Bennett making a loop race to supply his sheep dip was approved, Mr j Bennett to pay £1 a year for the privilege.

Mi- Lysaght reported that the Woorl. bury residents had elected a committee, and everything was now in working order.—This was regarded as sati.---factory.

BADHAM'S BRIDGE.

Mr Cooper 1 reported that fair progress had been made during the montfewjth this bridge. All 'the piles were in place, the caps, corbels, stringers, and decking were in place on nine spans, tne caps -were in place.on (three piers iurtber, and the wheel guards and posts for railings were in place on five S £ ™ s " A ,P, r °g res s payment of about £IOO would be required. THE HILTON BRIDGE.

The District Engineer wrote recommending allceration in the method of bolting posts to stringers. It was stated fchat the Government approved of the plans and speculations'under which the contractor was working, and that to make an alteration now would be a big thing, the posts would need to be 13 inches longer and some 250 more bolts would be needed. The method con'cracted for was the same as that I adopted at Speeehley's bridge. It was understood that the Government should be writfcen to, and the facts stated, and the suggestion was made that, ifthe Government paid the extra coslD the _ alteration might be made. The chairman then said he expected to be in Ghristchurch shortly, and would go into the matter there. The quesition of a creek joining the stream by the Hilton Bridge was then referred to. Mr Mulvihill said he was informed that in heavy flood a man Could not ride ichrough' this creek. It was stated that provision had been made to carry off the water. HEALTH OFFICER'S REPORT. The Districio Health Officer reported as 'to certain premises at Orari declared to be insanitary, on grounds stated. —lfc was' stated that Ichere was now r,o need for action. , GENERAL. On Mr Armitage's motion'it was icsolved lohau the Council strongly disapproves of altering the,date r or the ob-si-ivanue of Anzac Day.' t ,. ... The Waipa County Council wrote asking support in. its resolution that the ago limit in the First Division men be raised to 50 before the Second Division men are called up.—Noid a matter" for the Council to deal "' The Eketahuna County Council- wrote covering its resolution thalt the Government be requested to erect cool storageat die four main centres or in conjunction with present works, store all kut- ; plus meat and dairy produce, so that our produce- can be shipped regularly all the j ear round.—The opinion was expressed 'chat if effect were* given to the suggestion it would be a step in the right direction but ifc was now-too late, the companies having provided storage.

_A long letter from (the Efficiency Board was not read.

A letter from the Trade Commissioner gave particulars as Ito the country of orjgm of motor cars and cycles. Of 5i06 motor cars 3393 came from the United States, 1551 from Canada, f-94. from lt.be United Kingdom, 127 froin Irance, 21 from Italy, 13 from Belgium OF Cycles 2464 came from the United Kingdom," and 620 from the United States.

Mr Flatman said the willows alb the approaches to the Pleasant Vallev Bridge were obscuring the view—lt was agreed to have them lopped J™ £ 0 "P ol **? , n . a ™g expended £202 lis lid on small birds. _ Payments were authorised amounting to £54.8 is 6d. RATE NOTICE.

Mr' Flatman gave notice to move at nex'fc meeting that a rate of one .farthing in the £ be levied for the current' ypar, and made payable on May Ist. The meeting then ended.