GERALDINE COUNT! COUNCIL.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18613, 8 July 1930, Page 7

GERALDINE COUNT! COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of members of the Geraldine County Council was held yesterday. Present: Messrs R. Mackenzie (chairman). F. R. Flatman, J. M. 11. Tripp. C. Ley, Ross Brodie, T. Lyons. A. Bain, and J. C. South. Motions Of Condolence. Prior to the commencement of the ordinary business of the meeting, the chairman referred to the death of two of South Canterbury’s public men. Councillors, he said, had learned with deep regret of the sudden death of the late Mr M. H. McLeod, who for Some years had been a member of the Council for the Temuka Riding, and who had gained the respect and esteem of his fellow members. He had proved himself a worthy public representative, and his death was a serious loss to the community. Mr Mackenzie referred also to the death of Mr E. R. Guinness, who did good service as a public representative in matters affecting the progress and welfare of the Timaru district. , Both resolutions of sympathy were carried, members standing in silence. Member Welcomed. A welcome was extended by the chairman to Mr J. M. H. Tripp, who had been elected to represent the Mt. Peel Riding after a period of absence from the Council. Councillor Flatman asked that Mr Tripp be added to the Finance Committee, and this was seconded by Councillor Ley, who said Councillor Tripp would be an acquisition on any committee.

Councillor Tripp replied stating that since his return from England he had felt like a fish out of water without Council work, which he was deeply interested in. Chairman’s Statement. The chairman stated that during the month a meeting of members had been held at Austin’s frontage on the Orari River. A decision had been come to, and tenders had been called and a contract let for the work, which he understood was well on its way. The Tenders Board in Wellington had called tenders for the three bridges on the main highway in the Geraldine County across the Waihi River. Waihi Creek, and Cooper’s Creek, and work would be placed in hand shortly. There were two works in connection with unemployment relief in the county one at Orari Gorge, and another at Waihi Gorge—and about forty-tWo men were engaged. They might suggest further that a road be made through to Blair’s old run. A conference had been held during the month concerning the allocation of heavy traffic fees which had previously been allocated on a mileage basis. It had been decided that in future the fees would be shared by the various local bodies on a percentage basis. The new system would be less cumbersome and just as likely to be accurate. A big improvement had been effected at Mr Coulter’s Woodbury corner, where the gorse hedge had been grubbed and replaced by a wire fence. The Council had supplied the wire and £lO, and Mr Coulter had supplied the labour for erecting the fence and clearing the obstructing trees and gorse. A big improvement had been effected, and Mr Coulter should be thanked for allowing the work to be done. Finance Committee. For the Finance Committee, Councillor F. R. Flatman reported that receipts for the month were £777 18s 7d, the chief items being Main Highways subsidies £444 5s lOd, motor drivers licenses £156, heavy traffic fees £4O 17s, rents £lB 15s, dog registration £lO, hotel license £25, water rates £74 12s sd. There was a credit at the bank of £1303 15s, and cash in hand amounted to £l3B 9s, making a total credit of £1442 4s. That day’s pay sheet amounted t0*£2033 9s 7d, which would leave a debit balance of £560 15s 7d. Expenditure in the Riding accounts was as follows: —Temuka £I3OB 15s Bd., Geraldine £1125 10s, Mt. Peel £142 14s 2d. On the motion of Councillors Flatman and Ley, it was decided that the general rate be the same as last year: Temuka Riding one penny in the £; Geraldine Riding 1 l-8d in the £; Mt. Peel Riding id in the £. Rangers’ Reports. The Geraldine ranger (Mr F. Gaby) reported that during the month he had impounded 32 head of cattle, six horses, making a total of 38 head of stock. The Temuka ranger (Mr J. R. Bradshaw), reported having impounded 113 cows and nine horses during the month. “ A Darn Cheek.” The Town Clerk, Waimate, wrote asking the support of the Geraldine County Council in a request made to the South Canterbury Power Board that an independent qualified accountant be employed to inspect the accounts of the Board and prepare a balance sheet of the revenue and capital accounts of each district, allocating to eath its due proportion of general capital expenditure and proportion of overhead expenses based upon the per centage to capital raised. He enclosed a long list of reasons. A member: “Waimate have got a darn cheek to ask us to interfere.” It was decided to receive the letters. Contractors Complain. Robert Sanders and Sons, Ltd., road contractors, wrote that they had no alternative but to accept the Council’s offer. They had been placed in an unfortunate position over the matter. Had they known that they were not going to be paid for the extra lorries, they would have delayed the work so as to have completed the contracts with the trucks provided. Councillor flatman: “They asked for the alteration, and it was their own advantage.” Resolution Appreciated. The Prime Minister (the Hon. G. W. Forbes wrote expressing his cordial appreciation of the congratulations of the County Council. He was keenly sensible of the great responsibilities which he had undertaken,) and would do his utmost to promote the best interests of all classes of the community and the Dominion generally. Subsidies and Grants. The Public Works Department wrote enclosing £402 Bs, total of grants in respect to the following works: Geral-dine-Orari-Peckhams £l4O 17s; Te-muka-Pleasant Point £l9 19s 8d; Arun-del-Coopers* Creek; Geraldine-Gapes Valley £l2 17s 7d; Temuka-Upper Stumps £lO 8s 8d; Arundel-Peel Forest £l4 9s; Geraldine-Opuha £lB6 12s. The Public Works Department also wrote enclosing £4l 17s 9d, being Main Highways Board subsidy. Tenders Accepted. The following tenders for river protective works at Orari were received: R. McLeod £127 (accepted); F. H. Demus £137 16s; Hamlyn Bros. £167 15s; W. I. Eathorne £245 14s. The following tenders were received for river protective works on the South Orari: C. Foley £B2 (accepted);

J. Leonard £B2 13s 6d; S. J. Ashby £9O Is sd; J. Small £92 11s; M. I. Driscoll £lO2 8s 6d; E. Richards £lO3 13s lid; G. T. Hooper £llß 16s 9d; H. M. Seyb £l2O 4s. Correspondence. The Town Clerk, Temuka, wrote stating that her Council had no further use for the water race on the main road from Winchester to Temuka. They wished to know if the County Council desired it to be filled in.— The Council decided that it would be best to leave the filling in the meantime. Mr G. S. U’pritchard, Scotsbum, drew attention to the fact that the spouting in the Council house he was occupying was leaking and rotting the 1 woodwork. He made application to have electric light installed—lt was decided to obtain an estimate for the work. The manager of the Orari Gorge Station wrote applying to have the ! west stream at the gorge of the Orari River diverted into the east stream. At present the west stream was doing damage to track, land and bush. —It was decided to place the request before the Public Works Department. Mr R. U. Richards, Geraldine, made application for a road to be formed to his property, situated at Orari Gorge. —The clerk reported that the matter had been placed before the Public Works Department. Mr S. Gale, Pleasant Valley, wrote stating that he had decided to cut the Council’s water supply from his bails. —Agreed to. The chairman of the Gapes Valley School Committee wrote pointing out that the entrance of the school was badly in need of a load of shingle.— It was decided to supply the shingle, and also to shingle the road in front of the Kakahu School.. Mr J. T. Charles sought permission | to construct a new water-race.—The j engineer to inspect and report. Mr George Cadwallader, Clandeboye, made application for a water race.— i Engineer to report. | ( Cancer Campaign. The secretary of the Cancer Cam- I paign Committee advised that the i Minister of Health was recommending j the necessary legislation to validate. grants by local bodies to the Cancer Campaign Fund. The secretary of the Timaru Caner Committee wrote stating that on a population basis, the share of the Geraldine County and Temuka and Geraldine Boroughs was £4Bl. Heavy Traffic Fees, The Town Clerk, Timaru, advised that as a result of a heavy traffic con- | ference in Timaru, it would not be necessary for the County Council to re- | mit further money until March next. There would, moreover, be no need to continue the mileage records and I schedules, and he was advising the holders of heavy traffic licenses that this might be discontinued. Purchase of Plant. For the Main Highways Board, Mr F. Langbein wrote advising that the purchase of a motor truck and two V.r boilers on behalf of the Council had been approved, and steps were being taken to order the plant. The Council would be' required to enter into a hirepurchase agreement covering a period of four years.—lt was decided that the engineer should invite tenders and forward them to the Public Works Department. Power Board Vacancy. The secretary of the South Canterbury Electric Power Board (Mr G. W. Morrison) wrote that a vacancy had occurred in the Geraldine district owing to the resignation of Mr Kenneth Mackenzie.

The secretary of the South Canterbury Dairy Factories Association advised that it was the wish of their Association that Mr W. H. Staniland, of Clandeboye, be nominated to fill the vacancy. It was moved by Councillor Flatman, and seconded by Councillor Tripp, that Mr B. R. Macdonald be appointed. Councillor J. South said that he was of bpinion that the dairymen should be represented, many of them milking by electricity. He moved that Mr Staniland be appointed, and this was seconded by the chairman. Mr B. R. Macdonald was appointed by five votes to three. General. The Inspector of Health (Mr J. Menzies) reported that during May, one case of tuberculosis had been reported, and five sanitary inspections had been made. During June a further case of tuberculosis had been reported, and ten sanitary inspections had been made. Rangitata Island Hall. On the motion of Councillor South, seconded by Councillor Flatman, it was decided that the sum of £250 be paid to the Rangitata Island Hall Committee from the Hobson Trust Fund on account of £SOO voted. It was decided that the balance of £250 be paid in February of each year in £SO instalments, the first payment to be paid in 1932. Engineer’s Report. The engineer (Mr C. E. Bremner) reported in detail on the work carried out during the month. In the Temuka riding the teams operations for the month included thirty-seven miles of grading on riding roads, and thirtyfive miles of grading on the main highways. Several bridges and approaches were sanded and improved. Opportunity did not offer during the month to examine a number of applications, but these would be attended to before the next meeting. The teams in the Geraldine Riding had graded 411 miles of main highway, and 29£ miles of riding roads. It was decided to build a light traffic crossing at the fence boundary opposite Thomson’s frontage on the Stumps Road. It was decided to take the necessary steps to legally close the road at the Milford Lagoon that was washed out in the July flood. It was decided in connection with the water race diversions at Tripp’s, that a- report by the engineer be furnished for the next meeting. River Board. The County Council then sat as a River Board, the same members being present. The River Board statement disclosed that receipts since last meeting amounted to £B4 19s Bd. There was a credit of £440 12s 4d, in the general account and £124 18s in the Waihi loan account. The supplementary loan of £550 on account of the South Orari loan district had been received from Mr Walton. The expenditure in the several districts was as follows:—Rang’tata Island £lB4 12s lOd; South Orari £2lB Is 3d, Upper Orari £137 13s 3d, Waihi Loan District £22 17s. Payments to be passed that day amounted to £279 12s Id. Protective Work Subsidy. The Minister of Public Works (the Hon. W. B. Taverner) advised that he was in receipt of the Board’s request for a £2 for £1 subsidy towards financing proposals in connection with the Orari River flood control, estimated to cost approximately £450. He was making enquiries in the matter and would give it consideration.

Correspondence. Mr W. W. Westaway, Temuka, applied for permission to cut -down willow trees in the Opihi riverbed close to his property. He wished to plant these on the river bank adjoining his property for protection.—lt was decided that the work be done to the satisfaction of the engineer and under his supervision. Mr Borrell reported that he had fin- j nished his banking work, but about ten chains remained to be done near j Priddle’s. Eight Clandeboye ratepayers wrote applying for about eight chains of light banking for protection from the river. At present it flowed over their properties in flood time. —Engineer to inspect and report. The Town Clerk, Temuka, wrote drawing the Council’s attention to the way the river was washing in at the end of Cass Street, and suggesting that if some protective work was not done at this point, serious trouble might be caused in flood time.—lt was decided | that if Mr Hancox would cut and pull the willows into position, the River Board would anchor them and supervise the work. . Protective Works. On behalf of a committee of the Geraldine River Board, Mr K. Mackenzie reported that they had examined the Orari River at Mr T. Aus- I tin’s frontage, and had directed the ] engineer to construct about six chains I of pile and willow brushwork and ' sixty-six feet of netted boulders. It j had also been decided to forward the I plans to the Public Works Department for approval with a request for a £2 to £1 subsidy on the.cost of construction. m l =•= »