ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1041, 4 January 1884, Page 2

ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Council was held to day in the Council Chambers, when there were present Messrs E. G. Wright, H. Priedlander, J. Lambie, T. Taylor, and Julian Jackson. A letter of apology for his absence was read from the Chairman (Mr W. 0. Walker), and Mr E. G, Wright was voted to the chair. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. chairman’s statement.

The Chairman said that the Returning Officer had reported the election of Mr E. G. Wright to the Council in place of Mr H. T, Winter, resigned. The Geraldine County Council had paid the sum of L 2.404 Os lOi on account of the Bangitata traffic bridge extension, which, together with the t 1,500 previously pair!, makes the amount of L 3.904 Os lOi, cost of said extension on repairing old bridge up to May 31st, 1883, as per account forwarded. The Geraldine Council had informed this Council that in its opinion no necessity now exists for a ferryman at the Lower Rangitata ferry, and refuses to be responsible for any further expense on that account. The present ferryman, as the Council wrote, had offered t® act as ferryman for the north stream for another year without subsidy on condition he has the use of the ferry reserve in this county. The amount of rates collected to date is L 2,863 7s sd, leaving a deficit of LIOO 15s sd. A list for the renewal of slaughtering licenser would be placed before the Council at this meeting for sanction. Mr Wright said that the statement be had just read had been furnished by the Council’sofficerintheusual way,and he (the speaker) might add that the Council would have to settle something as to their future revenue. The overdraft at the Bank had been settled by the paymjenj; of the Geraldine’ County Council’s share of tfie Rangitata ' bridge, but 1 it would have to be determined* 1 what ’ rate would have to be struck. He would aug : gest that the Clerk be instructed to prepare for next meeting a statement of assets and liabilities, and the probable expenditure for tlje epauing year.

ENGINE f R S REPORT. I The following report was then read : i Ashburton-Rakaia Water Supply : During tli-r month of December I staked out in detail, and took the necessary levels over water-races El lower Acton, and Da Chertsey district, each about 7 miles in length, and the works on ( both are in a forward state and should be completed in about a fortnight from this date. There are now seven branche of considerable length attached to the K main, which is supplied from Pudding Hill stream, and as the service in the last two branches formed is still imperfect, it is apparent that any attempt at further distribution from that seurce in the meantime would injuriously affect each of the seven branches referred to. The Home authorised by the Conucil forDt race in R.S. 28,856 has been completed. The F race has been ex. tended at the lower end through the properties of Messrs Leadley, Madden and Wright. With the exceptions mentioned above, all the mains and branches between the Ashburton and Rakaia rivers have recently been running satisfactorily. The Alford station water supply is now in operation, and the works for Ashburton Forks supply are well advanced. Ihe races in the Mount Somers district are running freely, and a small deviation has been made near the tramway reserve to increase the flow and relieve the road crossing at that point. —Ashburton Rangitata Water Supply: During the first two weeks in December the head races got partially filled with a co'lection of slimy vegetable matter, which I had cleared away as it was causing overflow in several places. It appeared to me that the owners could not be held responsible for the maintenance of these head races, which are of large size and carry down the supply for the whole system of distributing races, but as a guide for future action I should feel obliged for the Council’s instructions on this point, as also the fixing of the limits of channels to be included in the list of head races. The supply in the Ashburton-Rangitata district has been well maintained during the month and the .only deficiency at present is at the lower end of Q race in the Coldstream district on the two short branches recently formed there. I shall see that some minor improvements are effected to remedy this at once. —Wheatstone Water Supply: The clearing of the Lagmhor stream has been finished, and a fall supply is now available for all the races in the district. The original supply of No. 2 creek at TinwalJ being insuffirient for the full extent of race passing to the south of Wheatstone. I had the supply augmented by the cutting of a small channel connecting creeks Nos. 1 and 2. This will allow of No. 3 creek'being utilised for the benefit of the ten or twelve settlers on the Railway Reserve sections above Tinyvald, and they are now most anxious that this service should be given them, the expense of which they are prepared to defray. I have gone over the route and taken levels for the purpose, and will arrange with the contractor for the present works to make these small additions on the basis of his contract prices, if the Council so authorise, and as soon as the funds are provided. —Water Supply from Ford’s Creek : With reference to the race authorised from this source, I find the best point to lead off the supply is about a mile lower down than the Cheese factory, the outlet to be in line of ditch along r fence line, which would connect with a channel 1 which is already available over greater part of [ the distance. —Wheatstone Drainage: With reference to the question of improvement of 1 Ford’s Creek, from R.S. 6803 to Osbor .e’s

road, which has hitherto been in abeyance,_ I have examined the place, and find the object would be best accomplished by enlarging the side drain of the road there. The cost would be about Li2, but as Ford’s road contributes great part of the drainage in time of flood, the Road Board should share the cost of the work.

—Maintenance of Races: It would tend greatly to efficiency if the process of clearing out were undertaken half yearly, say in June and December. During the summer season obstructions arise through vegetable growth which, if cleared away at the end of the year, would render the races more serviceable daring the harvest season.—Wakanui Flat Water

Supply : In accordance with your instructions I have replaced the sluice near (he inlet, so as to serve temporarily till the new works there are undertaken. If these are not to be started soon I would suggest that a small embankment be formed to connect the sluice with the high ground on either side, at a cost of I 4 or L 5. Regardingtheproposaltosubstitutethe Wakanui Creek as a source of supply, I have gone over the district and taken the necessary levels over the line which I have traced on the map. There is already a small service initiated over part of the route, but the enlargement required would be such as to be almost tantamount to a new race. I estimate the expense of race, culverts .and flumes at LBS. exclusive of head works. There is a temporary dam formed of willow stakes, etc., a few chains below the

Town Belt, but some more permanent.arrangement would be required there, and provision made for scouring out the silt which is constantly accumulating there, owing to the strong current and clayey nature of the channel. Setting down the cist of headworks at L 25, the total expense would be Luo. Ido not anticipate there would be any questions of land compensation, but the Council would, I presume, have to take steps to obtain control of the creek over its entire length.— Upper Rangitata Bridge : The decking and bearers of the old portion of the bridge are now getting so decayed as to be unfit for traffic. The renewal of the superstructure would cost about Li,ooo, but it may suffice to renew the planking by small portions at a time, as was

done previous to the completion of the new portion of the bridge. If the Council sanction this arrangement I shall feel obliged by receiving instructions as to providing a stock of timber for the purpose, and replacing the decking in sections as circumstances may require. WATER SUPPLY. It was resolved that the paragraphs in the Engineer’s report re Ashburton and Rakaia plains and the Ashburton and Rangitata water supplies be referred to the Water Supply Committee for their consideration. Be the Wheatstone supply, it was decided that the works be authorised, subject to the cost being paid in. WHEATSTONE DRAINAGE. It was resolved to forward tha paragraph re the above to the Longbeach Road Board, intimating that the Council will carry out the work if the Road Board contribute half the :ost. CLEARING OUT WATER-RACES. The Clerk was instructed to insert a notice in the papers calling the attention of settlers to the necessity of keeping the water-races clear from all obstruction, and refer them to provisions 5, 6 and 7 of water-race by-laws. WAKANUI FLAT WATER SUPPLY, It was resolved that the Council sanction the formation of a small embankment as suggested by the Engineer. It was also decided that the Council agree to carry out the works recommended by the Engineer to secure a supply from the Wakanui creek at a cost of LIOO, on condition that the settlers undertake the total annual charge of maintenance of the additional mileage. RANGITATA TRAFFIC BRIDGE. A letter was read, signed by Mr J. Hinkley and other residents in the district, drawing the Council’s attention to the state of the planking of the old part of the Rangitata bridge. It was decided to agree to the suggestion in the Engineer’s report on this matter, and that the latter be authorised to get what work was necessary carried out, a copy of the paragraph to be sent to the Geraldine County Council, with an intimation of the resolution come to by the Ashburton Council. WATER SUPPLY COMMITTEE. The report of this Committee was read. It stated that the Committee had resolved to offer to Messrs Holmes Bros a new race, to be formed in such a way to suit themselves, subject to the Engineer’s approval; that Messrs Smith and Hunt’s application be not granted ; that Mr Robb’s application be granted, the Council to enlarge upper portion of El tace, out of the balancs of Road Board vote, and applicants to defray balance of cost required, if any, and take chance of the water being sufficient.—The report was adopted. FORMATION OF NEW ROAD BOARD DISTRICT. < The Committee appointed to consider i petitions for and against the formation of < a proposed newdistriot in South ‘Rakaia, < reported that they had examined the peti- < tioua, and had Resolved tp ask the Chair- < man of the South Rakaia Road Board to 1 attend the meeting of the Council.—The ' report was adopted, but the Chairman < f 1 the Board i.ot being present, considers- <

lion of tho petition was postponed till next meeting. NOTICE OF DEPOTAHONF. Mr Jackson moved, in accordance with notice given at last meeting—“ That all deputations to the meetings of this Oouncil be preceded by tan days’ written notice.”— Mr Eatnbie seconded this, and Mr Wright suggested that the words “ten flays ”be struck out. This was accepted, the motion pased in its amended form. PAYMENTS. The usual monthly accounts were passed for payment, the manager of the Union Bank to be seen re overdraft. Mi.THVEN LIBRARY. The Secretary of the Methven Library Committee wrote asking the Council to pay over the sum of L2OO in accordance with a motion already passed. —Resolved that LIOO be paid, and the balance when the accounts are furnished. lonobbach road board. Messrs Fooks and Sons, the surveyors to the Board, wrote requesting the Council to declare the drain <>n the eastern side of the Wsterton road a public drain under the Public Works Act, 1882 It was also asked that the drain be continued across the angle of the road, opposite Mr Moses’ house, and thence through his land to a natural creek running through the Watarton township, and likewise proclaim it a public drain. The Board would pay the cost of the work, and requested that their surveyor be consulted —lt was resolved to request the Lo igbeaoh Road Board to submit plans, and when this was done the Engineer would put the work in hand on tho receipt of cost. poonokbbper. Tho appointment of Mr McWitliam as poundkeeper for (he Mount Hutt district was sanedored. BANGITaTA FEBLYttAN. The conditions contained in a letter from D. Jackson, re the Rangjtala ferry, were agreed to for a year. SLAUGHTERING LICENSES. It was resolved to renew all the slaughtering licenses in the county subject to the approval of the Inspector. WAKANCI BIVER PROTECTION. A letter was read from Mr Brown, chairman of a public meeting held at Vakanui, forwarding the resolution arrived at by the meeting. —Referred to the River protection Committee with a request that they will furnish an estimate for the necessary work for the local diversion of the river adjacent to the spot undermined. COMMITTEE VACANCY. Mr Wright was appointed to the vacancy in the Methven Storm Water Committee, caused by the imignation of Mr Winter. HIGH SCHOOL BOARD. Messrs J ickson and Walker were reelected as Council’s representatives on the I High School Board. HOIICES OP MOTION.

Mr Friedlander gave notica to more at 1 next mealing : —Thifc the Government be petitioned t > introduce a Bill during the ' ne .t session of Parliament to prevent the <le lic ition to Ro id Boards or other bodies interested of private roads without the ! consent of such bodies having been pre* viously obtained to the dedication. 1 Mr Friedlander also gave notice to ; move the following :—With a view to a more equitable representation of the ‘ various ridings of this county, the readjustment of present boundaries of ridings be considered at next meeting of the > Council. MBXnVBN STORM! WATER. ’ A deputation consisting of. Messrs B. ! Patton and McMillan waited on the i Council for the purpose of explaining the views of those who objected to the report of the Committee re the storm water in ■ the Mount idutt district.—Both gentlemen having explained that the natural ‘ fl >w of the water was into the Ashburton, but tbe work c ;rried out by the Council had interfered with this and in conse- , quen:e the roads had been damaged, the Chairman said that the Committee would consider what had been said, and the I deputation then withdrew, f TEE PROPOSED KEW DISTRICT. ■ The petition sent in by certain rate- ■ payers in South Rakaia in favor of separt ation and forming a new road district ’ was considered, but as it was doubtful : whether the number of signatures represented the ratepayers required by the 4ct, it was resolved to postpone the nutter till next meeting. GERALDINE COUNTV COUNCIL

Mr Bullock moved, and Air Lambia seconded —That the Geraldine County Council be applied to for interest from May ill to January, 1884.”

The Council then adjourned to Friday. Feb. Ist.