ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 932, 2 May 1883, Page 2

ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of the above Council was held to-day, there being present —Messrs W. C. Walker (in the chair), T. Bullock, Taylor, Lambie, and E. G. Wright. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. LEAVE OF ABSENCE. Mr Bullock moved, and Mr Lambie seconded, that leave of absence should be granted to Mr Winter from this meeting. MOUNT SOMERS LINE EXTENSION. The following from the Government was read ;—“ i2e letters of 12th and 14th inst., I am to reply that plans for Ashburton Branch Extension are expected to be ready next week, and a contract will be advertised, say, about a week after. — G. T. Benzoni, Acting Undersecretary.” chairman’s ’statement. The Chairman gave an account of the work done during the past month. Among the details mentioned was the information that tho Assistant-Engineer of the New Zealand railways, had informed the County Engineer that authority had been received to put in crossings as suggested by the Council at the ends of the Ashburton bridge, and that the work would be done as soon as possible. A tracing showing the reserves set aside for the growth and preservation of timber had bean received, and would be placed before the Council, and also a return of the cost of the approaches to the Bakaia Gorge bridge in the Ashburton and Selwyn Counties. Tho amount of rates paid to date is L 1,400. As tho rates were coming in slowly, a warning would be inserted in the newspapers that all outstanding rates will be sued for.

engineer’s report.

The following report was then read: — I have the honor to report as follows:—Ash-burton-Rangitata Water Supply : I have taken the necessary levels and staked out the line of branch water-race extending from R.S. 29762 to 31141, for the purpose of supplying the T race below the latter point. This branch will be 5 miles in length, and tenders for it will be placed before you to-day. The upper portion of T race has been running freely during the month; so have all the other races between the Ashburton and the Rangitata, except the lower end of P race, in the Coldstream district, where considerable loss is taking place in some shingly hollows ; but that portion will be improved at once, so that the 2 miles below this point will then receive the full benefit of the supply. The recent freshets in south Hinds have caused a good deal of silting up in the vicinity of the dam, and have also rendered necessary some minor repairs to the falls of the head race in the Gorge, but these were executed so as not to interfere to any appreciable extent with the regular supply in the races. The contractors are now prepared to start P 3 water-race, but some of the owners have omitted to defray their share of the cost. The contractor for Willowby extension race is to start work this week.—Wheatstone Water Supply : The settlers in Wheatstone district, having held a public meeeting for the purpose of considering the proposed water supply lor that district, agreed unanimously to support the scheme, and to contribute at once in the proportions proposed, on condition that when the races are marked off in detail the lines will be taken as far as possible along boundaries of fields and properties and in existing ditches, and that a re-adjustment of the proportionate costs be afterwards made in accordance with the service which may be actually supplied. I do not anticipate there will be any difficulty now in arranging all details, and I beg to ask the Council’s author! y to take steps to carry these out and to invite tenders in time for next meeting for the works, including new cut, etc., at Laghmor. In regard to the small branch near Dawson’s road, previously authorised by the Council for Messrs Rundle, Rountree, etc., and which was left in abeyance till the Willowby extension race was sanctioned, I would suggest that this branch be made now. The owners are very anxious about it, and it would simply be a continuation of the small stream leading through Messrs White’s property, and which is partly running to waste The extension would not cost more than L 5 or L 6, and the parties to be benefited will defray the cost. —Mount Somers and Alford Forest Water Supply : The water-race for supplying the settlers in the locality of Springburn has now been completed, and the only race remaining to be done in that district is that for Alford Station, for which tenders will be invited for next meeting of Council, the owners having already agreed to defray the cost of construction. Ashburton-Rakaia Water Supply : The service in the various races during the month has, on the whole, been satisfactory, but there have been a few instances of gross carelessness on the part of owners of threshing machines, who do not only dam up the races for a dipping supply without any authority, but also failed to remove the obstructions in the shape of bags, etc., which they had put in. The lower end of F extension race has been finished during the month, and the water led down to the point of its termimation. The fords on Bi race and also on upper end of B race, have now been finished. The improvements on Br race, near Great South road, has also been effected, as has also that at junction of roads near Dundas on C, or test channel. The outfall fr»m the latter, through Rural Sections 26577 and 26625, requires some improvement, part of which is due to lack of maintenance, and falls to be done by Mr Rule, as agreed. Any further improvement can be better effected after the Road Board carries out its intention of making up the two or three large hollows on road, which at present form receptacles for flood and race water. _ I will get out the necessary plans and specifications ( for authorised connection near Hatfield, between E and El races, so that tenders may be_ received at next meeting of Council. All the 1 materials have been forwarded for the putting in of concrete trap at Pudding Hill for inter-

ceptihg the travelling shingle, but meantime nothing can be done towards the construction of it Ull-the present rainy weather abates, and .flood'in the river subsides. Mr Mitchell, the owner of Rural Section 29645, asks theJCouncil to consider the question of a loopline in A race, near the Lyndhurst road, which he, in common with others, applied for before harvest, but was then postponed; the length in all would be about 3 miles, the general route is indicated on the plan, but it would require to be fixed accurately on the ground, owing to the undulating nature of the surface, and the existence of several storm-water gullies, which would require to be crossed at the most favorable points.—Wakanui Flat Water Supply ; Mr Moffatt, late of the Wakanui Mills, having now left the district, the agreement with him for the maintenance of the intake at the river has been cancelled. Mr Paterson, of Wakanui, at the request of some of the residents, recently made an offer which the Council accepted, and which seeme l to include the keeping of the inlet clear, but which he subsequently explained, had reference only to the regulation of the sluices It will now be for the Council to decide as to how the matter is to be dealt with. As the mill is fed from the same inlet which supplies the district, it is clearly chargeable with half the expense of the periodical clearing out etc., which requires to be done after floods in the river, but, meantime, it is idle, and the district will not have the benefit of the supply until the service is again resumed, by executing the necessary work at the point of intake. I would therefore ask the Council’s permission to get this done. I presume the keeping up of this work will have to be included in the general maintenance, same as the inlet for auxiliary supply from river in the Methven district, which is on a ■similar footing.—Ashburton Bridge : The Assistant Railway Engineer writes that he is about to proceed with the improvements of rail crossings at approaches of this bridge.— Upper Rangitata Bridge : Since the opening of the bridge extension on 23rd ultimo, the greater pact of boulder protection for embankment has been executed. A further expenditure of about L2S will complete the authorised works. I may state that the expenditure for the renewal of the more defective timbers on old portion of bridge up to this date is L 163, and the decking is now in fair order for ordinary dray traffic, but the renewal of more of it will be necessary from time to time, especially as much of it is of sapwood. I would suggest that in order greatly to lessen the expense of maintenance of decking over this long bridge, that traction-engines be prevented from passing over it.—Main Roads ; I now beg to submit estimates which I have prepared for completing the main road in Ashburton gorge from Mount Somers township to river crossing near R.S. 30988, at a cost of LB5l 16s Bd, and main road between Rakaia gorge and north Ashburton river bridge at a cost of L 794 13s 4 d. ■WHEATSTONE WATER SUPPLY. Concerning the passage in the Engineer’s report in connection with this question it was resolved —“ That tenders be invited for next meeting and the account to be sent to several landowners, and that they bo informed that the worli will be proceeded with when the amounti are paid.” P 3 WATER-RACE. 1 It was resolved that notices be sent t( land owners who have not paid, informing them that the work will not be carrier out until the amounts be paid. NEW SUPPLY. In reference to the supply for the pro 1 perty of Messrs Bundle, Rountree ant others, it was decided to invite tender! forthwith under the usual conditions. A LOOP-LINE. Mr Mitchell’s application for a loop-lint in A race was referred to the Water Supplj Committee. | WAKANUI PLAT WATER SUPPLY. In the matter of a person being ap pointed to keep the water running it wai 1 decided to let the question stand ore: until airangements are made for a ranger THE BRIDGE CROSSING. The following letter from Mr J. Bur nett, Assistant-Engineer, Christchurch to Mr Baxter was read—“ I have now re ' ceived authority to put in crossings ai ’ suggested by you at each end of the Ash burton bridge, and will get the work dom as early as possible.” MAIN ROADS.

Consideration of this matter was allowed to stand over till next meeting of the Council. RANGITATA TRAFFIC BRIDGE. It was resolved that the Engineer be authorised to carry out the suggestion he had made, and that the matter be left in his hands. SMALL BIRDS NUISANCE. The following report was read : —Your Committee have taken into consideration the several means for the destruction of small birds, viz., the collection of eggs and heads in spring time, and the distribution of poisoned grain in winter ; also the process of netting larks as practised by Mr J. H. Bugera at Kyle. They have also communicated with Professor Bickerton as to the practicability of destroying small birds by a current of electricity from a dynamo machine. Of the last-mentioned process your Committee are not yet in a position to report. We beg to recommend the universal distribution of poisoned grain during the month of June in such a manner as your Council may think most desirable ; also the collection of eggs and heads during the spring and summer months as initiated by the Council. Your Committee would recommend that immediate action should be taken, so as to commence poisoning operations about the first of next month.

Mr Lambie moved, and Mr Taylor seconded—“ That the report as read be adopted, and that the Road Boards and School Committees be communicated with asking them to distribute the poisoned grain. ” —Carried. Mr Wright moved, “That the Small Birds Committee be authorised to take such measures as appear to them expedient to secure the pioper distribution of at least 200 bushels of poisoned grain within the county.”—Carried.

INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTERHOUSES’ REPORT. This report was read and adopted. DOMAIN BOARD. 53 Mr J. Ward, secretary of the Domain Beard, wrote stating that a resolution had been come to concerning the re-construotio of the Board, that two members should be appointed from the Borough Council, two from the City Council, and two by ’the Governor. It was therefore asked that this Council consent to this proposal, and that the Chairman and another member be chosen to act.—lt was resolved that the present Domain Board communicate with the Government re the construction of the Board on the basis suggested. dobbin’s ford bridge. A letter on this subject, received from the Selwyn County Council, was read and ordered to be acknowledged. WATER RANGERS. It was decided that the matter of appointing Water Rangers be referred to the Water Wupply Committee with power to act. PLANTATION BLOCKS. Mr Baxter was requested to report on the plantation blocks by last meeting, and the matter of advertising for tenders for the supply of 25,000 trees was left in the hands of the Chairman. It was also resolved that the planting alongside (he water-races should be in no case less than 10ft from the races. carter’s creek. Mr Crow waited on the Council 're the water overflowing fro m Carter’s Creek. He wanted to know if the Council would take action in the matter, as the people in the neighborhood suffered considerably from the present state of the creek. —Mr Crow was informed that the Engineer would see to the matter. On the motion of Mr Taylor, it was carried —“ That the Longbeach Road Board' contribute half the cost of clearing Carter’s Creek, as promised, and that the work be put in hand as soen as that half share is paid.

TENDER. The tender of Thomas Phelan for water

race SI, in the surarof’lß 2d per chain ; and fords at L 3 10s each waijbaocepted. s BAEAIA The-raotibn of Mr Iflfeksort, re the application lot aid tor J&’irge rokd, under the Roadi And Bridges Construction Act, which was adjourned frpm last meeting, was further Adjourned, in consequence of Mr absence. The J meeting adjourned till the 6th June.