ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 1022, 15 August 1883, Page 2

ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

The usual monthly meeting of the above Council was held to-day, there being present —Messrs W, C. Walker (Chairman), H. T. Winter, T. Taylor, J. Jackson, J. Lambie, A. Macfarlane and T. Bullock. The minutes of the previous meeting were road and confirmed. chairman’s statement. The Chairman gave his usual statement of the details of the business to be transacted at the meeting. THE RAHOITATA BRIDGE. The Chairman said in regard to the deputation from the Geraldine County Council, on the subject of the Rangitata bridge, that it was his opinion that this Council should not allow any discussion to take place on the question. From what he had read consernmg the matter in the papers, it seemed that there was still an idea prevalent that the bridge should be tested either by a flood or otherwise. One of the members of the Geraldine Council had given notice of a motion that a rate should be levied to meet the liability, and unless a district guarantee was given that tflis intention would be carried out, a writ should be issued by this Council. Mr Bullock concurred with the remarks of the Chairman. The Geraldine Count il had treated the Ashburton Council very badly in this matter, but he thought they

should receive the deputation and hear what they had to say. Later on Messrs Tripp, Talbot and McKerrow waited on the Council, as » deputation from the Geraldine County Council.

Mr Tripp said that he, together with Messrs Talbot and McKerrow, had been

appointed as a deputation from the Geraldine County Council. The people on the other side of the river wished the

Eangitata bridge should be tested in some way. The Geraldine Council thought that the Ashburton Council should shaife the expense, of an expert examination

being made by engineers chosen by each

body. There was a report that certain piles used in the bridge had been broken,

and he would ask the Chairman to say what truth there was in that. He also said that the Council he represented

thought that the accounts should be carefully examined. The Chairman said that he was sorry to have to take up a strong position in this matter. Would the Geraldine Council agree to work being carried out by them being tested by another body? That was exactly the position of affairs. There might have been some jealousy about the carrying out of the bridge, bat if the Geraldine Council objected to _ the authority being given to this Council by the Governor, the objection should have been taken before. Now the work had been successfully carried out, although they had laboured under great difficulties, and there could be ’no doubt that justice had been done to ratepayers on both sides of the river. As to the adjustment of accounts, that was Ml entirely different matter, and he had no doubt that if the Geraldine Council thought this necessary, there would pi?b» bably be no objection. The Ashburton Council would certainly not agree to..thß suggestion that the bridge should' he examined by engineers, as was suggested by Mr Tripp, as that was a question, there was no necessity to open ; up. 'He v.ould add that this Council represented a county that had been plundered for the benefit of other parts of Canterbury, while Geraldine had been pampered and protected, and had been able tq get as many bridges built as they wished, with** out regard to expense. Ashburton had not possessed any power to protect itself until the passing of the Counties Act,, and he thought that the objection to pay came with a bad grace from a county, which had always been especially protected.

Mr McKerrow said that the deputation had come in a friendly spirit, but after the Chairman had stated that the Ash* barton Council would not entertain the matter, there was no need to prolong ihfe discussion. He had anticipated different treatment. ! ;

Mr Talbot was sorry that the matter had been so peremptorily dismissed. The deputation had come in a most, friendly spirit, wishing to settle the dispute amicably. Mr Walker bad said there were two sets of ratepayers; he bot) recognised this, and he was present on the ground that the ratepayers of Geraldine should be satisfied the work had,been properly carried out. The Chairman said that he had np:nish that his remarks should be considered unfriendly in any way, but it was simply impossible to view the question from an engineering point. Mr McKerrow deprecated the introduction of debateable matter., , Mr Tripp said that the wish of the Geraldine Council was that the affair should be amicably settled. He called attention to the fact that the Chairman had said nothing about the piles he (Mr Tripp) had referred to. Mr Bullock could not understand what had been said about an unfriendly spirit being manifested by the Ashburton Council. As to the pile driving that was a question for the Engineer to decide. Be had no hesitation in saying that the

thanks of the Geraldine ratepayers were due to this county for the bridge which had been built for L 7.000, whereas it would have cost L 12,000 had Geraldine had had their way. He wished the deputation to understand that this Council had no desire to go to law over the matter, but he would point out that great inconvenience was felt by the county on account of the Geraldine Council not paying the money. Mr Talbot said that the position of the Geraldine Council was that though the bridge had been erected, it had been carried out in opposition to their wishes, and the ratepayers wanted some guarantee that the work they were called on to pay for had been done properly. He could see no objection to the proposal.

The Chairma could not see what was wanted. Th .-) bridge was there, and.there could bo no doubt of its stability. He could nut understand rensible men asking f.,r a further examination being made. The governing body was the managing body for the ratepayers, and he did not ‘; see why they should go beyond their own ; ; engineer’s certificate. Concerning Mr Tripp’s question as to the piles,, he wan ashamed to answer it. The Council was j - quite satisfied with the ability of their ; engineer, and he had certified that the bridge was properly built. Mr Jackson said that on the occasion ■ ;

of the bridge being opened Mr Tripp had stated he was perfectly satisfied with the bridge, which he considered was a credit to the Ashburton Council. ,

Mr Tripp said that his individual. opinion was that the bridge was a success in every way, but he was only one of a ’ body, and other members of the Council might not agree with him.

Mr McFarlane wanted to know what would be the pesition of the Ashburton Council supposing the referees were appointed and reported adversely.

Mr Talbot said that under these circumstances he thought the Council which had made the mistake should bear the brunt and pay for the bridge. . The deputation then withdrew while the Council considered their request, and on returning they were informed that the following resolution had been agreed to That the deputation be informed that, this Council cannot entertain the proposal fo submit the construction of the Raugitata bridge extension to any further engineer-, ing authority. The deputation thanked the Council and withdrew.

engineer’s report. The following report was then read:—

I have the honor to report as follews

Wheatstone District Water Supply : I have prepared plans and specifications for this work in two contracts, and tenders for it will be placed before you to-day. Some of the owners have not yet contributed their half share as re. quired by the Council, but I expect the balance will be paid within a week, and then opera. • tions will be commenced. —Re race for Messrs ' Rountree, Rundle, and others in Waterloo district: I met the several settlers interested 11 on the ground, and levelled and staked oft a, line to suit them all. The necessary ditches , and culverts are already formed part of the way, and the settlers themselves are prepared to execute the remainder of the work, and j would recommend the Council to agree to this, course. I beg also to state that the settlers along the line of proposed new race are prer pared to share the liability of keeping clear the creek from which their supply will be de- • j■ • rived, At present this creek is in a yery_ inefficient state, the owners having delayed doing . anything to it in expectation of the Council doing the work, but now Mr Houston and others, along the course are about to have it cleaned opt The Willowby extension race is np>v in operation us far down as the Waterloo road, but Several points require improvement before the race is in an efficient state, The formation of !: E 6 race near Hatfield, Rakaia, is still impeifr : feet, the contractor having failed to return to ..,, take out some small cuttings as arranged,' and 1 * I will now have this done at his expense. As soon as Ea race is supplied from E 6, I shall ai range for the authorised extension of the former for the settlers in lower end of Acton

sfi. . district. The extension will be about 6 miles in length. Should any balance then remain of the special fund ol £.250 returned by the Road Board and allocated tor water supply purposes for South Rakaia district, I would suggest that lit be used in widening the fords on some of the branch races in that district, especially that on D 4 race near Mr Vuchetick’s, which is an important line of road. The branch race Fi which passes through Caunty Saleyards will he finished in a few days. The races 83, Ri, and Qi in Rangitata district, have been completed since the Council last met. I have prepared specifications etc. for Alford Station water supply, tenders for which will be laid before you to-day, and have also arranged for a branch race for the settlers nearTaylor’sstream in the event of their contributing for that service as they say they are prepared to do.—Maintenance of County Water Supply : As requested by the Council I have prepared detached lists shewing length of water-races through the various properties from which it appears the aggregate is now 732 miles, including the races tendered for to-day; the mileages being as follows r. 1 Ashburton-Rakaia Plains Water Supply—

• Miles. Constructed out of county funds ... 271 1 Constructed at owner’s expense ... 130 Wakanui Flat—owners paid half cost 27 , 428 2. Ashburton-Rangitata Water Supply— Constructed out of county funds ... 190 Do. at owners’ expense, including Al- ' lord Station supply 59 ' 1 Do. Mount Somers out of county funds 25 Wheatstone district (authorised) ... 30 ’ . 304 ■ Grand Total 732 With reference to the mileage charge for maintenance proposed by the Council, I have affixed prices to those races which have been made out of the county funds, on the basis of a minimum length of 40 chains at a yearly rate for that length of 15s, and 7s 6d for every, additional 20 chains or fraction thereof. This would give a yearly revenue for maintenance as follows : - ■ £ s. d. Ashburton Rakaia water-race ... 437 7 6 Ashburton Kangitata 257 5 6 Mount Somers and Springburn... 33 7 6 Wakanui Flat ... 24 18 9 Wheatstone district 25; o o

£777 19 3 • The rates for Wakanui flat and VV heatstone are. computed at one half of the others, as the owners contribute half cost of the races. For the . races made entirely at owners cost, I understand the Council do not propose in the mc&ntime to make any rate From the data how givefa in the accompanying detailed lists, the Council will be in a position to determine" itt what direction it will be desirable to make alterations, w|iei her in regard to the minimum lengths,; or Scale of charges. The above amount of L 777 will probably be found too small to meet the cost of periodical clearing out such repairs to head-works after floods, fords,,rangers wages, and other contingent expenses, representing as it does only about one sjxtemth{l-l6th) of a penny per pound on the ratable value of the County.—Main Road : With reference to the question of main road in KJjde district, for which the Council has applied to Government for a grant in aid under the Roads 'and Bridges Construction Act, it-' would appear from the maps just returned from the Land Office, that part only ofitheroad applied for comes under the category .of -a main road, and it will be for the Council to consider how the remainder is to be dealt with. This general question of main roads throughout the County seems to me to form a subject for the Council’s revision at the present time.—Water-races : The supply in the various Yaces has been fairly maintained of late witji tile exception of P and R races in the Hinds and Ealing districts, both of which have been rather intermittent. It would _ tend greatly to the efficiency Of the races in the Kahgrtata district if a small shanty were provided and placed in a central position in that district Tor Ranger No. 2, so that he might be able to stay there over night occasionally, and devote more time than at present to that outlying district. As the time has now arrived for making final arrangements for the thorough cleaning of water-races by the various occu- .. pitfrs, I beg now to ask instructions from the Council as to this matter. I would suggest that a commencement be made in a week, and that three alternate races, with their branches, be shut off for a week at a time until all the races in their (turn have been gone over. Taking first week, viz., races A, C, and E with their branches. A being the line passing Pound at Methven; thence through Mr Ulyett’s 1. land, crossing railway about 2% miles north of Ashburton, and so on through Fairfield Estate and Messrs Cowan and "Mime’s property to the sea line, Cis the line knowti as the original test channel from Methven to Dundas, and Cl its extensions seawards, C2 is the Lyndhurst and Dundas race supplying near its lower end Mr Martin Griffin, Messrs Hampton, Allen, and others. E, El, Ea, E 3, E 4, Es, and E 6 represent all the races supplied from Mount Harding, the mains crosssing the railway between Chcrtsey and Kakaia, and embracing the Highbank, Corwar, Rokeby, Rakaia, and Acton districts. The will have to exercise great vigiience, and concentrate their attention for the time being to such of the races as may be in process of ."being cleared out, and if they cannot get over all the ground in the short time allotted for the work, special provision must be made to supplement theiwork of inspection, so that the scheme for cleansing maybe efficiently carried out. —Hinds River Conservancy : I have seen .Mr Grigg on this subject; he fs prepared to take the'initiatory stepsjto have the district fixed, and the control of the works placed in the Council’s hands. Meantime he is anxious that’the Council should undertake the work of clearing out some part of the obstruction recently formed in New Cut to Big Gully, so that the river might work its way through it. He also requests the' Council to undertake as a mepsttre for temporary relief the clearing away of % gravel bank at Boundary road, to cost about L3O, and to state the conditions under which, they will do those necessary works. In every case he asks that the work be done under the supervision of the Council.—Encroachmentsr—Ashburton River : The heavy flood of yesterday, caused by the melting of snow on the ranges, have further damaged the river" banks in Wakanui district. I was having the Inlet of the Wakanui Flat water supply opened up," but as the flood ha% earned away about a chain of the river bank and cut oft the small sluices, etc., it will be needless to do anything there' until the Committee decides on the general- 1 question of protective work. The Eead-wdrks in the hill district are uninjured, only in softie instances a quantity of silt will reqmre to be cleared away.—Upper Rangitata Badge : iThe Rangitata-river was in full flood yesterday, and this bridge remains secure.— W. Baxter, County Engineer. WATBB-BAO£ IN WATERTON DISTRICT.

It 'was resolved that the Engineer’s suggestion in regard to the race for Messrs Rountree, Bundle, and others in the ■Waterloo district should be approved, and that the owners interested be required to sign an agreement signifying their liability to keep clean the creek which supplies the race. " maintenance o t water supply. On the motion of Mr Bullock, seconded by Mr Taylor, it was decided that the paragraph in the Engineer’s report re the annual charge for water supply be referred to the Water Supply Commutee for their oonsideration and report.

WATER RACES. The Chairman was auth rised to arrange for a moveable hut for ranger No. 2. It was resolved that the Engineer’s scheme for clearing the water-races be approved of, and the matter be proceeded with as soon as possible, owners of pro- * petty; |to be given a week’s notice by advertisement--1 BfNpS RIVER CONSERVANCY. IJJhe Jjngineer was authorised to get the necessary work done, at a cost not exceeding L7O, on the receipt of that sum from - (fio persons interested, such payment to he tpe first charge on the proposed special Wte. ASHEORTON RIVER ENCROACHMENT. Jt was decided that the Protective Works Committee be requested to report pn (hi* matter: DEPUTATION. Messrs D. McLean, H. Friedlander, #pd,A. Hartison waited on the Council / for (lie purpose of obtaining information ©oncoming the .declaring certain roads I mamrisads. . Tl» Chairman enlightened the deputarK . tion on the subject, and they then withI® 1 dWW. t r.

PLANT ING COMMITTEE. A report from this Committee was read and on the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr Jackson, was adopted. PROTECTIVE WORKS. The Protective Works Committee reported that they have visited the points where the river encroaches,'and that they are unable to approve of the Engineer’s suggestion that a straight cut through the land of Messrs Du lley and Northey to carry the river in one stream t' the sea, as they did not think the responsibility attached to such an undertaking should be borne by the Com cil. A furthar exteo sion of time was asked by the Committee to enable them to interview persons interested in each case.—The report was adopted. SMALL BIRDS. The Small Birds Committee reported that all the poisoned wheat had been distributed. The quantity sent out was sufficient for this year and the Committee understood it had been very effective. It was recommended that during the earning spring the same price should be given for collections of eggs and heads as last year. The report was adopted.

ACCOUNTS. The monthly accounts were passed for payment. CORRESPONDENCE. Mr S. E. Poyntz wrote, asking the Council to take into consideration Mr Bradley’s claim from the contractors McComb and Co., and that some action be taken in the matter. The letter was read, and it was decided that the affair stand over.

Mr J. Jackson, Chairman of the Mount Hutt Hoad Board, forwarded » resolution of the Board to the effect that the County Council should pay the cost of repairs hat are necessary to the roads in the neighborhood of Methven, on acconnt of the storm-water turned on to them from Chapman’s creek.—Referred to the Engineer to report. Mr Wm. Sutherland wrote stating that he had been at a considerable loss in carrying out his contract, and asking the Council to take his case into consideration.—lt was decided that the Council does not see its way to help Mr Sutherland in the matter.

Mr W. L Allan wrote accepting the Council’s offer to lease reserve 173 for seven years at a yearly rental of 10s per acre.—Read.

[Left sitting.]