ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 992, 11 July 1883, Page 2

ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

The usual monthly meeting «f the Council was held to-day when there were present Messrs W. C. Walker (in the Chair), A. Maofarlane, T. Bullock, T. Taylor, J. Jackson, H, T. Winter, and J. Lambie. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. chairman’s statembnt. The Chairman made his usual monthly statement, detailing the business to be done at the meeting. The statement of rates collected up to date was laid on the table, showing that out of the L 2,994 2s levied, L 2,432 9s 9d had been collected, leaving L 531 13s Id to be got in. engineer’s report. The following report was read : I have the honor to report as follows: During last month a considerable portion of my time was occupied in levelling and getting up the plans, sections, etc., for the various works for which the Council are applying for Government aid under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act—viz. (i) The completion of Ashburton Gorge road from near Mount Somers, to the crossing of the oouth Ashburton river, B}4 miles. —(2) The road from Pudding Hill badge towards Rakaia Gorge, 6t£ miles.—(3) The rqad from Dobbin's ford to Chertsey road in the Kyle district, Bmbps, and (4) The encroachment of the Ashburton river in the Wakanui district. In accordance with the requirements of the Act, working sections had to be prepared over the entire length of roads, with gradients, cuttings, etc., etc., shown in minute details, I undertook, personally, about half the work required, and as instructed by you, obtained assistance with the remainder in order that the plans of the whole might be completed and in Wellington by the 30th of June. With reference to the plan of the river encroachment, you will observe it is proposed to make a deviation of the present channel, so as to lead the water in a more direct line, and into what seems to have been its original course. By this means, considerable relief would be given to both sides of the

river, as the abrupt turn the river takes from the south side towards the river road on the Wakanui side, is not only the cause of the great inroads being made in the Wakanui district, but is in a great measure the cause of the overflows on the south bank of the river above the point referred to. The proposed channel would cut off upwards of 200 acres of land which is at present freehold, but it is only old river bed and pasture land of indifferent quality, so that the question of severance should not be an item of large value. The excavation from the new cut would partly be utilized in strengthening the banks on south side of river, and on the Wakanui side six groins would be required, as also an embankment and protective work round the breach which is now formed in the river road. Another encroachment, which threqteqs serious consequences, has taken .place on the north Ashburton river, about 2 miles aboVe Ashburton township, and about 5 chains below the ford leading into the Forks district. The river has already made a large gap in R.S. 27629, and is tending towards low ground which falls rapidly away from its present banks, and any large overflow from this point would inevitably inundate the town. To secure this portion of the river bank, two gorse groins would he necessary, about $ chains apart, one at each end of the breach, and an embankment about 7 chains in length and 3 to 4 feet in height, run along the lower side of breach, and terminating in high ground, below thep oposed lower groin. The banks between this breachand the road leading into the river should be planted up with willows, and as a means of temporarily relieving the pressure of water on said breach, I should recommend the cutting of a grip abont three chains below the road Hne so as to deepen and widen the streamlet presently running there, at a cost of about Ljto. This would lead the water away from the river bank in a channel which would still connect with that from which the mill race is supplied. I estimate the total cost of protective work required here at about Lioo. As this encroachment is situated on the line of the main road from Ashburton to Mount Somers, a grant itt aid might probably be obtained under the Provisions of the Roads and Bridges Construction Act, and I should say the Borough Council would also contribtite towards the work, inasmuch as further encroachment would be almost certain to affect the town.—River Hinds.: I have recently examined the course of the river from near the railway to the sea. During the heavy flood which took place early in May last there had been overflow more or less from a point about two miles above the railway downwards, but any overflow between said point and near the Boundary road could have been, stemmed at small expense. From a little above the Boundary road to the new cut below Surveyor’s road the channel is altogether insufficient, and along that length there is evidence of overflow m every direction. ’ The river-bed near Boundary road is about 7ft higher than the ground 20 chains' distant from it on either side, and is filled up .with shingle. Besides the gradient there is so flat, that inundation during every flood is unavoidable under present circumstances. The river bed there being already so high, I should not recommend any banking, except as a temporary measure ; but would suggest that an, auxilliary channel should be cut in the low ground .in ai straight line from boundary road to the bbupd-, ary drain at its crossing of surveyor’s road, and thence to join the new cul leading from boundary drain to Big Gully. This would be a’work of considerable magnitude, being about miles in length, and, costing probably, when complete, about L 2.500,.500, but it would save not only to carry off the surplus flood watery lout would also drain a considerable area. of swampy ground, which is unworkable at present.. The new channel leading to Big Gully has been cut up a good deal, and a quantity of the" loosened shingle has been deposited in the channel, blocking it up for a length of about /seven chains. This deposit has taken place probably through the accumulation of flax during the time of flood, or may have been caused by a piece of wire fence getting into the channel and obstructing the passage of travelling shingle. There is such a declivity in the channel that there will be no tendency to filling up under ordinary conditions; rather the reverse, as loosened soil will be carried right down to the sea. The present accumulation might, I think, be readily removed by cutting a groove about the middle of it, say 10 feet wide and 18 inches deep and turning the current of the stream through it. The water at present is flowing on both sides, clear of the channel altogether. Some small breaches have been made in the flood banks, chiefly caused by flood water flowing from behind, but these repairs, I consider, should be undertaken by the owners interested.— Ashburton - Rakaia Water Supply : The temporary protection of the weir at Pudding Hill is acting well. A further extension of it on the same principle, at a cost of about L4O, would, I believe, serve for all except a flood such as occurred in May last, and I should be inclined to recommend this being used for a time, in preference to the more costly scheme of sheet piling. • The breach which was made some time ago in the auxilliary channel has been repaired, and all the races depending on it ate now fully supplied. _ The earthwork of E 6 water race, Rakaia district, has been finished, and the flaming is in progress. I shall feel obliged by receiving the ' Council’s instructions as to extension of E2 race, as the settlers in the Acton district are now getting very anxious about it. I have taken levels and staked out the race which leads through the County Saleyards, and tenders for it will be placed before you to-day..— Ashburton- Rangitata Water Supply : The Willowby extension race is on the, point of completion, and the water will be led over its entire length in a few days. Between the Hinds and Kangitata a few fords require to be, made up, and a flume placed in the embank- 1 mentin R.S. 31037 to provide for floodwater.\ During the recent frosty weather some of the races have got blocked up with ice, causing the supplies to be somewhat intermittent, butthis is not likely to last long.—Taylor’? Stream; Bridge : The renewals, including additional span, are now about completed, and the bridge, will again be opened for traffic in a few days.. As requested by the Council I examined the threatened outbreak about 30 chains above the bridge. I consider the cutting of a short neck of land there would give the stream better vent, and greatly lessen the chances of overflow. The cost of this would be about Lis, but even this would be unnecessary if the Road Board divert the channel higher up, as I understand they intend to do, so as to preserve the line of roadway in the river-bed.—South Approach to Rakaia Gorge Bridge ; The landslip in Shingle terrace (about 12 chains from the top of the terrace), is of large extent, and would require an excavation of about 20,000 cubic yards to re-fill it, and the cost of restoring that part of the road, on a line contiguous to the original, would be nearly L7OO. As there would always be the risk of a similar: recurrence on the first terrace there, I should propose to avoid it in making the connection, amd lead off on partly a new line as indicated on plan. The gradiant would thus be lin 10 instead of I in 12 in the original, but the cost should not exceed L2SO, and the altered portion of the road would be situated on a comparatively low terrace with much flatter cross, section, and little liability to slip. The question of convej r ance of land for the new portion would of course have to be arranged with Mr Aynsley. I may state that several portions of both the old and new road on this line are on gradients of 1 in 9,' so that the gradient now proposed is not exceptionally steep, and a flatter gradient could not be got without a good deal of winding or unreasonably heavy work.—Mount Ssmers Water Supply : The extension of the dam and supplementary headworks for this supply has been finished, and the races are again in full operation. The races in Springbum district were also finished and set a-going about a fortnight ago.—Willow Planting : I shall be obliged for the Council’s instructions as to the planting of willows along the river courses, and the supplementing of planting done last year near the points of intake for the various water supplies.—WaterRaces : I am preparing detailed lists, shewing ’ lengths of water-races through the various properties affected by the lines formed by the Council’s funds. As the new rolls .have just come to hand, thedistsjaf owners will have to be revised.

RIVER ENCROACHMENT. The suggestions of. the Engineer in regard to the encroachment of the Ashburton river in the Wakanui district were considered, and it was resolved that Mr Baxter should interview Messrs Dudley and Northey on the matter. In connection with this question the Chairman said that he had received a letter from Mr James Brown, saying that, fie had been in communication with the representative of the district, Mr J. Ivess, who advised that the Beach road be declared a main road. Mr Brown requested the Council to act in getting the road gazetted a main road, ana a motita

to this effect was carried unanimously.— "With reference to the encroachment of the North Ashburton river, the Chairman pointed out that any body who took land in a river-bed did it at their own risk. The Engineer, however, said that the safety of the township was threatened, and that was of course another affair. After discussion it was resolved, on tho motion of Mr Bullock seconded by Mr Winter, that the matter of river protection be referred to a Committee consisting of the Chairman, Mr Winter, Mr Taylor and the mover, with power to interview local. bodies and persons interested, and to report to next meeting of the Council. ' tailor’s stream bridge.

In this matter it was decided that the paragraph in the report bo sent to the Mount Somers Road Board, asking them to say what they intend doing, and stating the. Council would be willing to bear hall the cost if the work were carried out according to the Engineer’s suggestions up to Ll 6. ~ RAKAIA GORGE ROAD. It was resolved that the facts of the case be laid before the Selwyn County Council and the Government, together with a copy of the Engineer’s report and plana, and that they be requested to grant a sufficient ■um out of the special fund to defray the cost, and that the matter bo also referred to Mr Aynsley. HINDS RIVER. It was decided that the paragraph in the Engineer’s report re the Hinds river bo sent to those interested. ASHBUBTON-RiKAIA WATER SUPPLY. " J, It was resolved that tho Engineer’s suggestion as to the weir at Padding Hill be Approved of, and that the question of extension be referred to the Water Supply Committee. FORDS. ' The Clerk of tho Upper Ashburton Road Board wrote drawing the attention of the Council to the state of certain water races in the district, which were overrunning, land, in the neighborhood. The evil had accrued from the fact that the fords are not efficiently banked up to prevent the wheels of drays and other heavy vehicles from cutting down the - water level. The Clerk of the Mount Somers Road Board wrote to the same effect. The Chairman said that he could substantiate what was said in the latter instance.—Tho letters were referred to the Engineer, who was instructed to have all the races cleared as soon as possible after August 16, and that due notice be given to all'owners and occupiers to attend the same. MBTHVEN LIBRARY. ■ A deputation consisting of Messrs T. Jackson and Murray, waited on the Council to urge the claims of the Methven Library- to a £ for £ subsidy. Mr T. Jackson submitted the plans for the new building, which he said was intended to be a credit to the district. —Tho Chairman ■aid the Connell thanked the deputation for their attendance, and the request of the Committee would receive favorable consideration. —The deputation thanked the Council and withdrew. Mr J. Jackson moved, and Mr Maclane seconded—“ That a subsidy of £ for £ be granted to the Methven Library Committee to the extent of L2OO.” —Carried. BANOITATA BRIDGE. The Chairman said he had just received a telegram from the Chairman of the Geraldine County Council, stating that the latter body refused to pay anything towards the Rangitata brideg until it had been tried by floods. The Chairman said that it would be better to wait until notification was received by letter, and then the Council ODiild proceed to extremities. It was decided to leave the matter in the hands of the Chairman. WATER SUPPLY. The report of the Water Supply Com- - mittee was read and adopted. RAKAIA FORKS RAILWAY. Mr McFarlane asked if the Council had ever promised the Ashburton and Kakaia Forks Railway Company that they would levy a special rate. The.Chirman said that the Council had made any such promise. '' - 1 ;i SMALL BIRDS NUISANCE. .The Chairman of the Small Birds Nuisance Committee reported that 224 bushels bad been distributed and the effect had been marked in removing the pest. The Committee wished to extend the usefulneds of this grain and would recommend that a further quantity be prepared He' would move that 200 bushels be prepared and distributed. Mr McFarlane thought teat the amount Sent for this purpose was a large one, and at the Plantation Board and Borough Oonhcil should contribute a share. The report of the Committee was adopted. DAMAGED ROAD. The Clerk of the Upper Ashburton Boad.Board wrote calling the Council’s attention to the state of the road at the corner of Lyndhurst road and Thompson's track. Tho Board thought the work should bq done by the Council, but the Board would, contribute its fair share.— Resolved, that the question stand over. ASHBURTON LIBRARY. Tn answer to a request from the Secretary of the Library Committee, asking that the Council give the £ for £ subsidy, Which amounted to L2OO, it was resolved that LIQO be passed now, and the balance as soon as the promised subscriptions were paid. REFUSED. The Council decided that the request of Hr Compton, to put up a building in connection with the pound at Methven at a reasonable rental, could not be entertained. ; LEAVE OF ABSENCE. On the motion of Mr Bullock, seconded by Mr Taylor, leave of absence was granted to Mr E. G. Wright during the scission. ACCOUNTS. The usual monthly accounts were passed for payment. A RAGE TAMPERED WITH. Mr Joseph Ferguson wrote to explain, in reference to a charge that he had tampered with® water-race on his property at promote, that it was done during his absence. He promised that it should not > occur again.—The Council accepted Mr Ferguson’s apology.

A BEQUEST. Mr W. Rouse, of Rakaia, wrote asking tie Council to bridge over the water race , adjoining his hotel at Methven, and also to remove a tank. —It was resolved to remove the tank, Mr Rouse to form the culvert. PLANTING. The Secretary of the Rakaia Domain Board wrote asking the Council for one thousand assorted pines to assist in planting the domain.—lt was decided that permission be accorded to take what trees were wanted from the Ashburton Domain. DATE OP MEETING. The next ordinary meeting of the Council was fixed to take place on August 16th, instead of August Ist SLAUGHTERING LICENSE. A slaughtering license was granted to Mr A. Primmer, of South Rakaia. TENDER. Mr Silcock’s tender in L 37 Os Bd, for water-race FI, was accepted. The meeting then adjourned.