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GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL,

MONTHLY MEETING The monthly meeting .of members of the Geraldine County Council was held yesterday. Present:—Messrs K. Mackenzie (chairman), F. R. Flatman, A. Bain, J. C. South, C. Ley and Ross Brodie. Chairman’s Statement. In his statement, the chairman referred to Sir Joseph Ward’s retirement through ill-health, and said that a telegram had been sent to the late Prime Minister. Work at the Rautawlri Settlement at the back of Shaw’s, had been completed, and it now remained to see how it would stand a flood. A letter had been received from the Minister of Public Works in regard to Orari protective works. The Council had a responsibility to settlers, and would have to do whatever they thought best. They had applied for a subsidy, but so far had received no reply. Finance Committee. For the Finance Committee, Councillor Flatman reported that receipts since last meeting totalled £3OOO/14/11, including Main Highways Board Bridge Loan £2OOO, arrears of rates £33/12/8, penalty £3/9/-, water rates £9B/12/6, motor-drivers’ licenses £BB/10/-, heavy traffic fees £53/18/-, rents £l6/6/-, dog registration £2O/5/-, timber sold £l4/3/9, refund from River Board £3O/7/6, contractors’ deposits £ls, sales £ls/4/-, pound building £6, slaughterhouse licenses £2/10/-, miscellaneous £2/6/-. There was a credit balance of £2150/15/3 in the bank, making a total of £2249/8/5. Accounts to be passed that day amounted to £1476/2/-, leaving a credit balance of £873/14/-. The expenditure in the Riding Accounts was as follows: Temuka, £937/9/10; Geraldine, £B9B/11/5; Mount Peel, £123/16/6. The report was adopted. Same Rates Levied. On the motion of Mr Flatman, it was decided that the following general rate be struck in the several ridings of the County:--Geraldine Riding, 1 l-8d in the £1; Temuka Riding, one penny in the £1; and Mount Peel Riding 3d in the £l. Sir Joseph Ward’s Retirement. In reply to a telegram from the Geraldine County Council, regretting that the state of his health had necessitated his vacating his position, and hoping that he might live many years to enjoy his well-deserved retirement, Sir Joseph Ward wired sincerely thanking the Council. On the motion of Messrs J. C. South and A. Bain, it was decided to communicate with the Hon. G. W. Forbes, congratulating him on attaining he position of Prime Minister of the Dominion, and hoping that he might have a successful term of office with his new Ministry. Rangers’ Reports. The Temuka ranger (Mr J. R. Bradshaw) reported that during May he had impounded 75 cows, six horses and one bull, making a total of 82 head. The Geraldine ranger (Mr F. Gaby) reported that he had impounded 41 head of stock during the month, including 25 cattle and sixteen horses. The reports were adopted. Councillor’s Resignation. Councillor I. Bristol wrote that it was with much regret that he found it necessary to tender his resignation from the Geraldine County Council. It was against his wish to do so, but he found that, for the immediate future it was impossible for him to conscientiously devote the time to the work, which had greatly interested him. He would still keenly follow the work of the Council, and hoped at some future date to again serve on the Council. The resignation was accepted with regret. A Dissatisfied Contractor. Messrs Robert Saunders and Sons, Ltd., Auckland, wrote enclosing a letter from the Highways Board engineer, which stated that, as the firm’s claim seemed unreasonably high, he suggested that perhaps halving the claim would be reasonable, but it was a matter between his firm and the Geraldine Council. The firm considered that the Council had treated them unfairly in the matter. The extra cartage claimed was really no extra to the Council, as they had the use of the men and the trucks sooner, which easily covered the cost of the amount claimed. They asked the Council to reconsider the matter, as they had stated that if they put on extra lorries, they should be paid for them, if the contract was put through expeditiously. This had been done. The chairman: “That was not so.” Councillor Flatman: “It was an advantage to him to get the work done quickly, as he was able to get on with a further contract.” The engineer stated that the Main Highways Board considered half the claim a fair amount. It was decided to adhere to the Council’s previous decision. An Overgrown Road. Mr A. P. Barklie, Geraldine, made application to the Council to have the road which led to his run at Gapes Valley, through adjoining farm lands, belonging to Smith Bros., cleared of manuka scrub, with special reference to the part bounding the property known as Landsborough. It was decided to vote £3 to have the work done. Tractors Damage Roads. The engineer drew attention to the damage that had been done to tarsealed roads by tractors. Deep holes had been tprn in the approach to the Orari bridge at Arundel. A member: “Tractors do a lot of damage.” The chairman: “The wheel grips soon*break up the asphalt.” It was decided to advertise, offering a reward to anyone giving information leading to the conviction of offenders. Licenses for Halls. | The Medical Officer of Health wrote I that the by-laws under the Health Act were sufficient for the control of public halls, and all the Council was required to do was to settle the amount of the license fee. It was suggested that the sum of not less than 10/-, and not more than £l, a year would be desirable. The Council were of the opinion that licenses were not necessary. Railway Crossing Signs. The District Engineer of the Public Works Department advised that it had been noticed that a considerable number of St. Andrew’s Cross signs at railway crossings were not being kept maintained, some being broken, and practically all required painting. In view of the frequency of mishaps at crossings, it was very desirable that the signs should be kept efficiently maintained. The engineer stated that the matter had been attended to about two months ago, and the signs repainted. Power Uaard Loan. The engineer-secretary of the South Canterbury Power Board wrote that it

was his Board’s intention to apply to the Local Government Loans Board for its sanction to raise additional loan money, and required information as to the number of ratepayers and other particulars in the Geraldine County. Councillor Flatman: “Will the loan affect this portion of the county.” The chairman: "Yes, but it is not proposed to submit the matter to the ratepayers for some time yet.” Hospital Expenditure. The secretary of the South Canterbury Hospital Board wrote that, subsequent to notice given to the contributory local authorities of the levy required to meet the net estimated expenditure for the current financial year, it had been proposed to erect an administration block at the Timaru Hospital, at an approximate cost of £lo,ojo. The estimated resulting contribution from the Geraldine Council next financial year would be £134/16/6. The chairman: “They consider that the buildings need renewing. I suppose it is a matter of looking pleasant and paying up.” Councillor Flatman: “Let us see what the other Councils are doing in the matter.” Correspondence. Mr T. D. Burnett, M.P. for Temuka, advised that he was in receipt of the schedule of works in the Geraldine County, for which the Council was desirous of obtaining Government grants.—Received. Mr W. A. Macphail, Peel Forest, wrote accepting the position as representative of the Council on the Peel Forest Park Board. The Public Works Department wrote forwarding £2600, being an advance to the Geraldine County Council for its proportion of the estimated cost of erecting the Cooper’s Creek, Waihi and Winchester bridges. The secretary of the New Zealand Institute of County Clerks notified that their first biennial meeting would be held in Wellington on July I.—The County clerk was granted permission to attend.

Mi* J. J. Kenny, Unwin’s Road, Winchester, wrote drawing attention to the state of the roads in his locality, and asked that they be put in order as soon as possible.—The engineer was instructed to make an inspection. Mr D. M. Lamb, Orari, wrote asking permission to use the Council’s grader to form a short roadway to his private property at Orari.—The matter was referred to the engineer. Mr W. Heney, junr., wrote regarding his tender for timber rights in reserves in Peel Forest, stating that as the trustees of the Dennistoun estate had refused him permission to set his mill on their property, and as this made it impossible to saw on Reserve 1788. he asked the Council to consider a fresh proposal to cut on Reserve 1479, at a tender of £l2s.—The altered arrangement was agreed to. Messrs R. M. Burdon, A. E. Webb and J. H. Webb wrote requesting that something be done to the water race in front of Mr R. M. Burdon’s house. It was daily getting into a worse state, and the plank that the Council had put in for a footbridge was only half the width of the stream.—lt was decided that the Council would supply the planks, applicants to do the work. Mr J. B. Roberts, Orari, wrote making application for another plank across Batty’s Creek.—Engineer to inspect. Heavy Traffic Fees. The Town Clerk, Timaru, advised that a conference would be held in Timaru to consider the allocation of heavy traffic tees. The main alteration for consideration was that each local authority collect the fees in its own district, and the fees shared on a percentage basis. Councillor Flatman: “It works out about the same.” It was decide dto be represented at the conference. Gorse Spreading on Road. Mr James Airay, Orton, advised that he had written some time ago asking the Council to take steps to have the gorse cleared off Looker’s road, at the back of his property. It was slowly spreading across his side of the road, and he desired to know what steps the Council were taking in the matter. It was decided to grade the road, and to investigate the complaint in regard to the gorse. Town Planning Board. The Minister of Internal Affairs advised that the Town Planning Board, having carefully considered the evidence tendered at the inquiries recently conducted on its behalf, was prepared to recommend to the local authorities concerned the adoption of certain regional boundaries* The Timaru region comprised Counties of Levels, Geraldine, parts of Mackenzie and Waimate, Boroughs of Timaru, Temuka, Geraldine and Waimate. and the Town District of Pleasant Point.— Received. General. Renewals of slaughterhouse licenses were granted Messrs T. Brunton (Temuka), V. Nicholas (Epworth), R. P. Craig (Geraldine), and Hughes Bros. (Orari). A fresh slaughterhouse license was granted Mr C. B. Norton, of Temuka. It was decided to carry out the necessary repairs to the Downs road during the next fortnight. Mr J. M. H. Tripp waited on the Council, asking for a deviation of a water race, drawing attention to the blackberry spreading in a Council plantation, and also to trees that were overhanging his road in a dangerous manner.—lt was decided that Councillor Flatman and the engineer inspect next week. RIVER BOARD. The Council then sat as a River Board, the same members being present. The River Board statement showed that receipts since last meeting amounted to £286/15/10, including rates £266/15/10 and firewood £2O. There was a credit balance of £BO3/3/1 in the general account, and £l2B/18/in the Waihi Loan Account. The expenditure to date was as follows: Rangitata Island £lB4/12/10; South Orari £lO9/16/3; Upper Orari £75/5/8; Waihi Special District £sll/4/6. The report was adopted. Correspondence. Mr W. W. Westaway, Temuka, wrote applying for protection against the Opihi river, which was encroaching on his property.—No funds for the work. Messrs Paterson and Smith, Clandeboye, wrote drawing attention to the fact that the break in the bank of the Orari river on their property, caused by flood water in January last, had not yet received attention.—Engineer to report. Mr George Hancox, Temuka, wrote requesting that the Temuka river have protective works from Cass to Godley Streets on the east side. —Engineer to report. Messrs J. Wade, W. McCallum and G. Davies, Epworth, Temuka, wrote asking if they could be afforded protection from the floods of the Temuka river.—Engineer to report. Owing to the poor selling price, and to the fact that he had overestimated he quantity of wood, Mr J. Leonard, Temuka, wrote asking for a reduction in the payment of the 5/- royalty on 114 cords of willows he had cut. —It was decided that the Council could make no alteration. Mr G. Borrell waited on the Council,

asking for protective works. The work which had already been carried out, he considered insufficient. —No funds at present. Mr H. Hill, Pleasant Valley, wrote asking to have the water race stopped from running over, as it was spoiling the green feed. —The County clerk stated that the water race committee had been notified, and the overflow j stopped. Mrs C. Kvne, Milford, wrote asking the Council*to put up a bank to stop ; the river flooding her property at the bridge as the last two floods had done a lot of damage to the paddock near ' the bridge.—The matter was held over. Orari River Flood ControL The Minister of Public Works (Hon. I E. A. Ransom) writing with reference to the representations made by the County Council in connection with Orari river flood control in October of last year, advising that the matter had been looked into, and he could not find that the Board was under any compulsion to carry out any special plan of works. The Royal Commission which had Investigated the matter of controlling a number of the rivers of New Zealand, advised a certain j method and position in which protective works on the Orari river should be constructed, and investigations that i had been made by the engineers of his Department since that time had not . shown that the Commission’s recommendations could be improved upon. However, it appeared to be a matter entirely between themselves and their j ratepayers as to whether any work should be constructed, and, if so, the position and character of the works. Under the Geraldine County River District Act of 1921-22, power was given for the Governor-General in Council to make regulations regulating and controlling the construction by the Board of any river protective works, but up to the present no regulations had been made. It was decided that the Council should make a visit of inspection next Friday morning, at 9.30 o’clock.

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Bibliographic details

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18584, 3 June 1930, Page 11

Word Count
2,422

GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL, Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18584, 3 June 1930, Page 11

GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL, Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18584, 3 June 1930, Page 11