ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1243, 2 May 1884, Page 2

ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

The usual monthly meeting of the County Council was held to-day, the folr lowing members being present, ;—Messia W. C. Walker (chairman), E G. Wright, J. Jackson, T. Taylor, J. Lambio, T. Bullock. A. Macfarlane and B. Friedlander. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. chairman's statement. The Chairman said that the Government had informed the Council that the Beach road, from the Town Belt to the sea, and the road from Winslow township to the R»ngitata ferry, have been proclaimed roads under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act. The Upper Ashburton Road Board had calKd the attention of the Council to the damage done to the Ashburton river at Green’s crossing, and stated that t'ie Board and Mr Green would contribute a portion of the cost of turning the river more into the middle of its bed. The Longbeach Road Board had pointed out the urgent necessity of clearing out part ot the Wheatstone drain, and the Chairman had sskad the County Engineer to report on the same and furnish an estimate' of the cost. Enquiries had been made since last (meeting at the office as to whether the Council intend to supply poisoned grain this winter. This matter would be placed before the present meeting of the Council. The amount of rates collected up to date was L 761 Bs. The resolution re riding representation would be considered at this meeting. Mr Chapman had applied to the Council to fence off part of the concrete channel owing to the loss sustained by him by some of his sheep being drowned by falling in the channel. engineer’s report. The following report was read ; ggl have the honor to report as follows : Asliburton-Rakaia Plains Water Supply : I have levelled and staked out the authorised connections between D and E 5, and between 1.5 and E. These branches have now been formed, and the upper portion of D race is being enl irged, which will have the effect of . bringing down the additional supply required

for the races in Rakaia and Lower Acton district. Having met those settlers situated between Lauriston and Caimbrae, who are served by the test channel, I find they are unanimous in the opinion that the transference of the channel from the road to the centre of their holdings would not serve their purpose, as' paddocks have been formed and cottages built to suit the location of that channel, but in the event of the Council authorising the extension of branch already made for Mr Adair and others, all of them are prepared to transfer the test channel from the road to field side of fence, and to defray the expense of branch line, with the exception of Mr Strachan, who has just come to the district, and vants fuller information and a little ime to consider the matter. The xtension from R.S. 47831 downwards vould be about four miles in length, as shown m map, and I have taken levels at such joints as were necessary to determine the •oute. With reference to the petition from Vlessrs Mollet and Laine, Messrs Ore, A. F. Somerville, and proprietors of Highbank for 1 branch race to supply their properties on Mount Hutt Downs. I have gone carefully nto the question and have taken levels nearly over the entire lengths. I find that in order to touch the lower comer of Messrs Mollet and Laine’s R.S. 31536, it would be necessary to connect with Chapman’s creek near trig pole 830, cross Dry creek, about 20 chains north of Broom Park by a flume 3 chains in length, thence through rural sections 17283, and 20234, ,'20919 and 26732 to lower end of said section 31536, and thereafter through Mr A. Orr’s property, to a point about 10 chains northwards of his house, from which it could easily be led through Mr Somerville’s property and upper portion of Highbank to connect with E 4 race as shown by red line on plan. The length would be about nine and a half miles, and the total cost, including flumes, fords etc., Ll9O. The properties on the first three and a half miles of race, via., Mr Chapman’s, Mr M ‘llwraith’s and Mr Aynsley’s, being already supplied from other sources would receive no benefit from proposed race, but would, on the contrary, be subjected to rather awkward severance. These owners would not of course pay any part of the cost, but would probably give a right-of-way on condition that they should not be made liable for any charges for nuintenacc or otherwise. An alternative route I have shown by dotted red line. This would miss a considerable portion of Mr Orr’s property, and would leave eat Mr Mollet’s altoge.-her, but the expanse would be somewhat less. A third route, and the one which I should be inclined to recommend is shewn by doited blue line on plan. It would, leave E race at West Coast road, pass through Mr Holmes’ R.S. 20919, take in the lower end of Mr Orr’s property, and thence downwards through Mr Somerville’s and Highbank to E 4, on a line common to all the routes described. The cost of this would be a little under LSO. —Chapman’s Creek Extension; As requested by the Councd I have examined the route and invited tenders for such portion of the work as can be executed in the meantime, pending the arrangements of the Mcthven railway authorities for passing the flobdwater across that line neat Caimbrae.—Fencing Deviation Rakaia Gorge road: Tenders for this work will be placed before you to-dar.— Improvement Carter’s Creek: Tenders for the enlargement of this creek are called for today, and the contract will be adjustable so that the expenditure shall not exceed L7S- —Waka-, nui Flat Water Supply : The main race from Wakanui Creek is nearly completed and will shortly be in operation.—Wakanui Protective Works : The accompanying plans and sections shew the nature of the proposed works. I have marked off on the ground the line of bulwark and site of proposed embankment. The clearing of the spits in river bed at points indicated in red would give partial relief and facilitate the construction of bulwark and embankment, t estimate the cost of works as follows : Bulwark, complete, L6so; embankment, L 45 ; cuts in river, L9O ; three small groins, L 10 0; willow planting, LSS; total, L 940. —Ashburton Forks Protective Works ; The following points are those requiring protection: —l. At boundary between rural sections 14351 and 14655, gorse groin secured at end with piping repairs to prevent groin and 180 cubic yards of embankment, total cost LSO. 2. N'ear middle of rural section 14553- g° r3e embankment secured with piles and addition to present crate, L6O. 3. Lower end of rural section 14SS3, adjoining Winchmore road, one groin 70 feet long, L 45. 4. Clearing spit in river opposite rural section 14552, D 25. 5Groin 20 chains £outh of rural section 14552, L 35, 6. Opposite reserve 1728, addition to present crate and connecting same with river bank ; embankment seven chains long with crate at lower end, L 65. 7. Cut in river bed near Digby’s bridge, Ll 5 ; 8. Below ford leading into Forks district, on R.S. 28629, two groins and embanking, L7O ; 9. Ford at Rule’s, south bank, two crates, L4O; 10. South Ashburton river, north bank, Green’s road, cutting new channel and planting willows, L 40 —total, L 445 (this is exclusive of willow planting near Nos I to 9 and intermediate points, the expense of which I estimate at L 124, making a grand total of L 565. I am of opinion that the expenditure of this amount will suffice to meet the present requirements, and when these are executed I should suggest the employment of a small staff for maintenance purposes, and to erect any minor works which may be necessary from time to time, owing to the continually shifting state of the river. The willow planting more especially should be started at once, so as not to lose the season and many portions of the riverbeds are now well adapted for this purpose. Wheatstone Main Drain : In accordance with your instructions I have insp cted this drain. It is much obstructed in several place with vegetable growths, etc. To clear it out properly to the original formation will require an expenditure of about L3O. RAKAIA PLAINS WATER SOPPIA. It was resolved to refer the drat paragraph in the Engineer’s report re the above, to the Water Supply Committee. TERRACE FARM WATER SUPPLY This question was left in the hands of the Engineer, with instructions to tommunicate with landowners and report to next meeting. RAKAIA GORGE BRIDGE APPROACHES. The Council went into Committee on this matter, an 4 on resuming the following resolution was adopted That the Selwyn County Council be informed that this Council is not disposed to baud over the balance of the special vote until (the approaches are aa ; isfactorily completed. IiVAKANUI PROTECTIVE WORKS.

The plans prepared by the Engineer, ( showing the property benefited by the proposed works, haring been considered. It was resolved— “ That the Protective Works Committee be re-appointed and meet the Engineer on the ground to fi* the position of the bulwark, snd that the plans submitted be adopted. That the plan marked A signed by the Chairman, the part tinted red, be the rating district under the Roads and Bridges Act." It was also resolved the poll of the ratepayers be taken nnder section 49 of the Roads and Bridges Construction Act 1882 forthwith, the polling place to be the Wakanui Schoolroom, the Clerk of the Council to be the returning officer. ASHBURTON FORKS PROTECTIVE WORKS. A letter was read from the Upper Ashburton Road Board, drawing the attention of the Council to the protective works required at Green’s crossing, Ashburton Forks, where the road had been subjected to damage owing to floods. Mr Green and the Board would be willing to share a portion of the expense for carrying out the required works. A conversational discussion ensued, and it was ultimately resolved that a Committee consisting of Messrs Bullock, Friedlander and the Chairman ‘be appointed, and that they report to next meeting of the Council on the matter of finance as regards the Ashburton Forks protective works. It was also decided that the work at Green’s crossing bo pqt ip hand immediately, the same to be charged tp a separate account, the Reid Board tq bp informed of this resolution. WHEATSTONE DRAIN. A communication was read from the Longbeaoh Road Board pointing out the necessity for the Wheatstone drain being cleared out immediately, and it was decided that tenders be called for tbs work, the Chairman being empowered to accept. SHEEP TRAFFIC BRIDGES. Mr Bullock presented a petitijn from j the settlers on the Rangitata plains, Rangitata Island, and other pUcoa south of *

the Ashburton, calling, attention to the - necessity lor aheep traffic bridges in connection with the railway bridges across the north and south branches of the Rangitata river. The petitioners respectfully requested this Council to vote a sum of money towards supplying the want and also to. confer with other local bodies interested, so that the work might bo carried out with the least possible delay. The Tenvika Road Board had voted LIOO towards the work, and the Geraldine bad favorably entertained the proposal, and the petitioners hoped the Athbnrton County Council would secede to their prayer. The petition contained twentynine signatures. On the motion of Mr Bullock, seconded by Mr Wright, it was resolved— ** That this Council communicate with the Getal* dine County Council, and ask them what proportion they are prepared-to pay, and then confer with the several Bead Boards mentioned in the petition.'’

INSPECTION OF SHEEP. Mr Wright called attention to the expense incurred by settlers for the inspection of sheep, and it was resolved that the Council apply to the Government to reduce the tax for inspection of sheep to such sn amount as shall be sufficient to cover the expenses of the department in the Provincial district, as previously was the custom.

BIDINO BEPRESRNTAXION. The petition of Mr 0. J. Harper re the above, which had been presented at last meeting of the Council was again brought up, and on the motion of Mr Friedlandor, seconded by Mr Wright, it was referred to the Committee previously appointed, to report to next meeting. A DEPUTATION.

His Worship the *lsy<v waited on the Council for the purpose of bringing before 1 ; them the necessity of strengthening the embankment of the Ashburtoft river neer • the Alford Forest road. The Chairman said that the Council had spent a great of money on this particular work, and 1 perhaps the borough would now take the responsibility,, which was not a very large one. jho Mayor had not contemplated this view of the question, but thought that £rd or Jth of the amount would be a fair share for the Borough to contribute. After some further conversation" the suggestion that the borough should con* tribute one half the cost and the Council as a Board of Conservators the otherludf. was agreed to. If the borough agreed to this sod would communicate with the Chairman, the latter would call .for tenders for next meeting. \ The Mayor expressed himself satisfied with this, and having thanked the Council , withdrew. WATER BOTE. Mr Bullock moved that the water rate struck oh May 7th be not collected at present He thought that as there was a surplus of L6OO, whioh might be used for water purpose, considering the bad har- ' vest this year; and he wes of opinion that it would be only fair to hold over the collection till later. Mr Jackson and Mr Lambie opposed the motian on the ground that certain districts had not benefited by the general rates that had been struck. Mr Taylor and Mr Wright thought that some limit should be fixed when the rate should be paid. Mr Bullock then asked leave to 'Withdraw his motion, and tne matter lapsed. LOCAL GOVERNMENT. - ' Mr Jackson moved—“. That the time has come wheu the Council should take into consideration the necessity of a more economical form of local government than now existed.” Mr McFarlane seconded this. . Mr Wrighc thought that Mr Jackson in biinging a motion of this sort should have funiahed them with some facta and figures to show the Council in what. direction he wished to move. He quite agreed that the time had come when either the County Councils or iloadßoard should be abolished. One question that met them wav as to the water-races, would the Road Boards heebie to do the work of maintenance in such a way that the ratepayers of one district would be benefited, while the interests of rheir neighbors would not be materially damaged ? He certainly did not see how the diffiuJty would be got over, by delegating the powers now held by. the County Council to the Road Boards. On the other hand he (Mr Wright)Jlid think that the County Council could undertake all the work now done by the Road Boards. At one time the County was s single Road Board district, supervised by one engineer. Now the principal work was completed, and maintenance was all that was necessary, and this would be better carried out by one good engineer than by seven or eight inferior men. If . anything was done in the matter the opinion of the ratepayers should be tested by some better means than by holding small meetings. The question should be determined by a ballot of the whole County, an i the Council or the Basel Boards should abide by the result. The Chairman was of opinion that t|ie. matter was scarcely ripe for discussion',, by the Council, It had been for the put month before the ratepayers, and no decision had been arrived at The Council were the servants'of the ratepayers, an I whether or not the ratepayers considered they had done their diitv tbq power of dismissing them wav in their hands. Unless the Oonnctl was prepared to take up a strong position and lead public opinion either against, the Road Boards or themselves, he thought |t was undignified to take any action He tyas gather surprised to find this movetpenf being started in thq particular corner it had.' If it had not been for the existence of the Ooqncil Methven woqld never hay# known what a rate wm. That district cared nothing for the railway rate collector, and the road rqte collector they did qot knoiy, but the Council had furnished them with » new experience. Any Road Board . which had had to endure double rating might have had taken the initiative, but he could what Methveq had to complain of. Mr Friedlander agreed with the Chairman’s remarks. The question was altogether too large a one to be disposed of in a half an hour or so.

Messrs Taylor and Lambie spoke in favor of the and Mr Jackson bar* ing briefly replied, a vote was taken, resulting in the motion being lost on the casting vote of the Chairman. PAT SHEET. The usual monthly accounts were passed for payment. A DEFECTIVE CHANNEL. Mr E. Chapman wrote, pointing out that in consequence of the dangerous state of the concrete channel carrying the water from Pudding Hill stream, he had lost a large number of sheep by drowning, and he requested the Council to repair it. —‘The matter was left in the hands of the Chairman. ' J 4 SLAUGHTERING UOENSf. The application of W. & Holman fqr a slaughtering license for R.S. 2863§ waa granted. WAEAKDI HOAD. The Surveyors of the Wakpnu} Rood Board wrote pointing out that the ford at the junction of the Wakapui and Milton roads was dangerous, and suggesting the ’ patting in of a conore'-e culvert. It was T decided to reply that the County Engineer bad reported that the application bad come too late, as the work had been completed since ia&t me«t ng of ihe Council. ■ KIOXNG3. The special nrder alcaring the number, and re-adjusting the representation of; the seve -xl ri in the eOuntyj' already atv i rived., passed by thg Council.

- _ TBHDBitS. ‘ The following tenders were acotp od:— i ’ , Oaapman’a Creek, -J. Devery, L 25 ; feno- ' in K at Rakaia Gorge bridge, Turner, r 27» pec chain; Oarteffa Creek, • Reynold, « L4l 13s 6d. • i r NOTICE OF MOTION. Mr J, Jackson gave notice to move at next meeting—“ That this Council take ■tepa to ascertain by votes of ratepayers whether the Road Boards shall be merged into the County Councils or whether the County Council shall be abolished in favor of the Road Boards.” ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting was then held, when the balance-sheet was signed by the Chairman, and the Council adjourned to Friday, June 6=