GERALDINE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19640, 7 November 1933, Page 12

GERALDINE

COUNTY AFFAIRS MEETING OF COUNCIL The monthly meeting of the Geraldine County Council held yesterday, was attended by the chairman ‘Mr K. Alackenzie) and Councillors J. M. IT. Tripp, R. Brodie. A. Brain. J. S. South, T. Lyon and F. R. Flat-man. Motions of condolence with the rpla - tives of Air H. E. Holland. M.P.. and Mr T. E. Gunnion. a former Mayor of Temuka. were carried in silence. The clerk was also instructed to write to Air T. D. Burnett, M.P.. expressing the sympathy of the Council in his illness. Councillor Flat man. chairman of the finance committee, reported that the receipts lor the month were £IO9B 6 There was debit balance of £2267 4 9 but cash in hand amounted to £l3) 0/11. making a debit balance of £253.' 3/10. Accounts for payment totalled £1192 14 7. which made a debit balance of £3729 18 5, compared with a debit of £5518 13 8 last year. Rates for the current year were coming in slowly, only £576 6 3 of £11.427 levied having been received. The engineer estimated that the cost of remodelling the Sweetwater Creek bridge (Burdon’s Crossing) would be £7O. and he was authorised to proceed with the work. In regard to the Ohape Creek it was decided that the engineer be requested to clear the creek of willows, etc., with the use of relief labour and that the work be undertaken by the gang under Mr Mallett when they are finished. Water Supply. The county foreman <Mr J. P. Kerr) reported that he had inspected a portion of the water supply over the Geraldine Downs and found the majority of the troughs in a very neglected state.

The foreman was asked to present a further report detailing the propertyowners having leaky taps and all open taps. The Council decided that ball taps replaced be paid for by the owners and that the Council supply taps at cost price.

Airs Mary Sugrue and Messrs R. A Bruce, S. Ellery, Jas. Kelliher. J. Quantock, and J. P. Burke, settlers of Belfield, wrote agreeing to pay for extending the water race (other charges than relief labour) from Kelliher’s to their respective properies. The engineer was instructed to survey the route.

The secretary of the Timaru A. and P. Association wrote stating that his committee had passed the following resolution:—“That the farmers o? asked to refrain from killing bird life for the future (with the exception of the German owl), and that we write to the various county councils asking them to cease the purchasing of birds' eggs and heads, and to cease selling poisoned grain.” The chairman remarked that it had been decided some time ago not 1.0 purchase eggs and heads. Air P. J. Pemberton. Clandeboye. waited on the Council in regard to the water race leading to his property.— It was decided that the engineer be asked to report to the next meeting.

jftr W. H. Morris and four other ratepayers at Orari Bridge petitioned the Council to culvert Sercombe’s Road opposite Mr Turner’s property, as that part of the road was often under water.—Referred to engineer. Mr J. S. J. Johnson, Stewart's Settlement, Orari, wrote complaining of the neglected state of the road leading into his property.—Referred to engineer. Applications from the Timaru branch of the S.P.C.A, and the Christchurch branch of the Society for the Protection of Women and Children for donations were declined owing to lack of funds. Aliss Amy Nevill-Smith, Timaru, Timaru, notified that she was considering having the water laid on to her cottage on the Downs, and asked if it would be possible for the Council to make a reduction in the water rates. —The clerk was instructed to reply expressing regret that it was not possible to reduce the rates. General. The tender of Mr W. P. Windusfc, Manurewa, to supply dog collars at a cost of 44 6 a 100 was accepted. On the motion of Councillors Flatman and Tripp, the plan of the deviation on the Slack Valley Road was formally approved. Mr T. H. Bell. Orton, was granted permission to take water from the race to supply a small sheep dip. The Clandeboye Co-operative Dairy Co., Ltd., was granted permission to erect a blacksmith’s shop on the property leased from the Council at Clandeboye. The application of the Director of the Temuka Technical School Board for the Council's annual grant of £lO was agreed to. It was decided to support the aims of the Canterbury Roadside Beautifying Association that trees should be planted along the highways. Air Herbert Cooling, Woodbury, who wrote in regard to trees in the Council reserve adjoining his property, said that Councillor Flatman had agreed to their removal, and had also suggested that six more ought to come out in order to give the fence a chance to recover. He offered a royalty of 2- a cord for the extra trees.—The offer was Messrs John Philp. John Wilks, and A. G. Kimber. Winchester, petitioned the Council to grant permission to Mr Philp to erect a fence across the lower end of Avernal Street.—The matter was left to Councillor South and the engineer.

A letter signed by Air R. M. Burden and nine other Woodbury residents wrote stating that they had noticed that the road grader had been sent up the road leading through Woodbury, and that in many places it had graded all the largest stones off the road on to the grass tracks at the side of the road. They wished to point out that there was a great deal of horse traffic on this road which should receive some consideration, and that by this practice of sending the road grader to grade the larger stones off the road on to the side, the Council was making it not only difficult, but dangerous for horses, without providing any percept - ible advantages for motor-cars. They therefore requested that the stones oe removed, and that the practice be discontinued in future. The engineer pointed out that the work had not been completed at tne date the letter had been written. At a meeting of the Geraldine County River Board, the financial statement, presented by Air Flatman, showed that receipts totalled £lO6 18 4. There was a debit balance of £202 7 4 compared dith £629 10 - last year. The day’s paysheet totalled £sl 11 1. The rates for the current year were beginning to come in. On the motion of Councillors Flatman and Lyon it was decided:—“That the following rates be levied in the several river districts for the year ending March 31, 1934: —Upper Orari and Waihi, class A Id; class B 1-12.-1. South Orari, class A Ad, class B l-8d: special l-Bd. Waihi Spc ' 1 Rate. 1 l-Bd. Rang’tata Island, class A su; class B id.