ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 963, 7 June 1883, Page 2

ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

The following business was transacted at the Council meeting yesterday afternoon after we went to press :

MOUNT SOMERS LIBRARY.

Mr A. E. Peache wrote, enclosing a number of accounts for work done in connection with the Mount Somers Library, requesting the Council to consider the money expanded as devoted to “ building,” and that the promised subsidy of £ for £ should be allowed. It was resolved that half the amount (£l3 16s 9d) be defrayed by the Council.

RIVER ENCROACHMENT.

Communications received from Mr J. Grigg and also from the Chairman of a public meeting held at Wakanui for the purpose of taking into consideration the damage done by the recent floods, gave rise to a lengthy discussion.

Mr Winter said if the work was to be done it was imperative that there should be no delay. Mr Wright said that the Council had no definite information as to the cost, arid he thought it would be wiser to get their Engineer to examine and report on the matter. The Chairman pointed out that before they could bring the matter under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act they must have complete specification of the cost of the work. It was finally resolved on the motion of Mr Bullock, seconded by Mr Winter —“ That the Engineer be asked to report on all applications re river protection, with a view of ascertaining the cost before making application under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act, and that plans and specifications for river encroachment in Wakanui be made, and application forwarded before June 30.”

RAKAIA GORGE BRIDGE. The Cairman of the Mount Hutt Road Board wrote asking that the Council Fngineer be requested to inspect the south approach of the Rakaia Gorge Bridge, which had been totallj destroyed by the late floods.—The request was acceded to. PLANTATION. Mr E. G. Wright wrote that the Plantation Board had resolved th vt 100 acres should be fenced and planted within the County of Ashburton. The Board regretted that they had not more funds at their disposal, but they had under consideration proposals which would double their income. It was resolved that the choice of land to be planted should be left to the Planting Committee. STORMWATER AT SOUTH RAKAIA. He an application from South Rakaia that the County Engineer be allowed to report on the best way of disposing of stormwater, it was decided that as the Engineer is exceedingly busy it would perhaps be better to refer to the Road Board for the report. It was also decided that Mr Lambie be asked to represent the Council on the Stormwater Committee. RESERVES. Mr Edward Chapman wrote, asking if a report that he had heard to the effect that the whole of the unbought Government land lying to the north of Pudding Hill stream and the Ashburton river had been handed over to the Council by the Land Board was true. This land formed part of the writer’s leasehold, and he had paid rent for it up to May, and ho wished to know if the Council would rent it for grazing at the Government rate.—Resolved:—“That Mr Chapman be informed that the Council will comply with his request, the Council reserving the right to enter for protective purposes.”—lt was also resolved that the reserves at South Rakaia be advertised for leasing for 14 years. POUNDK REFERS. Mrs Woodley was re-appointed poundkeeper at the Hinds, and Mr Holland to the same post at Waterton. HOSPITAL COMMITTEE. The Hospital Committee was re-ap-pointed. SLAUGHTERING LICENSES. Licenses were granted to Mr S. Wood (Dromore road), and Mi G. Raymond (Ford’s road). ’ A RETURN WANTED. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Lambie, seconded by Mr Winter—“ That the Engineer be instructed to prepare a return of the mileage of all water-races in the County, together with a list of all landholders through whose land the races have been constructed at the sole expense of the County Council, with a view of" striking a rate for water supply maintenance.” TENDERS. The tenders of Mr Bonder, in the sum of L4l for flume and culvert, and of Mr Phelan, in the sum of L 39 17s 6d, were accepted. Mr Studholrae's tender for reserves 99 and 1485 was accepted. The Council then adjourned.