ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1374, 7 November 1884, Page 2

ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Council was held this morning. Present —Messra B. G. Wright (in the chair), T. Bullock, A. Macfarlane, J. Lambie, T. Taylor, and J. Jackson. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed chairman's statement. The Chairman Baid—" The Geraldine County Council has informed me f hat it agrees to a sum not exceeding L 25 being expended for protective works at the south approach of the Rangitata traffio bridge. The Engineer has accordingly been instructed to see to this work. During last month tenders were invited for the following works : Clearing Corbett's creek and protective works at Digby's bridge. I have accepted J. tender for L2B for cleaning Corbett's creek and for the works at Digby's bridge, Phorman's tender, L 43 18s 9d for pipes, and W. Sutherland's tender, LBS 17s 4d for fascine earthwork, The Hlnginrer will report on the progress ol these works Water Ranger No, I, has accepted the salary decided on by th« Council at its last meet«»a- ti.» o.»™ Land Department has advised the Councii of an Order in Council changing from Provincial Government purposes 23 acrei 1 rood 24 perches, of Reserve 1261 to t cattle market site. The Government hai gazetted 17th instant as the day for hold ing the general election for councillors ai recommended by this Council; the Be turning Officer has accordingly issuec the necessary notifications. The dovernment has written to say tha it doea not intend to legislate upon dog this year, but Major Steward, M.H. R. has a Bill on the Order Paper which con tains the provision suggested by th Counoil. Tbe Waitaki and Waikouasl County Councils have agreed tosupport th Council's resolution re proposed reductio: of the sheep tax. The Selwyn Council i of opinion that the cost of sheep inspec tion should be localised, and only so mac charged as is sufficient to cover the cost < the work done. The Government Insui ance Commissioner has forwarded a dc benture for the seal of the Council fc repayment of LI ,000 for the Ashburtu Forks protective works, payable h October, 1900, giving the debenture currency of 16* years, payments to I made April and October half-yearly at per cent. The Commissioner hopes th will meet with the views of the Counci The accounts of the Council for the si months ended September 30th, 188' have been duly audited by the audito and will be placed on the taolt The Treasury has paid LI, ' the Council's credit as the first paymei of money already spent in the erratic of the Wakanui protective works. Tl amount paid for works in the Aahburtc Porks protective district will be refund* as soon as the debenture above alluded ' is executed and returned to the Gover ment. Application to Government hi also been made for its share of mom expended on main roads. The am >unt rates paid to date is L3.50L 6s 2d out of total of L 5,250 13s lOd. Messrs Hish and Oreagh on behalf of Messrs McOallu and Co wrote re balance on Rangita traffic bridge extension, retained on a count of fines. I told them that tl Council was willing to pay Ll3l 4s wit out interest, as a final payment. Th offer the Counoil will see they have a cepted. This being the last meeting the present Council I take this oppo tunity of expressing my opinion that tl time has arrived when large reductioi should be made in the amount pa: as salaries. With the completion af exia ing contracts for river protective wori all th.B more important public works i the County will be completed, and as th work in future will be chiefly that 1 supervision and maintenance the Count Engineer Bhould be asked if he will a cept half his present salary on the unde standing that only half his time will I required. One Ranger may be dispense with, and also the Chairman's honi rarium. These changes and posnbly sore reduction in the clerical work woul effect a saving of about L6OO a year. BALANCE-SHEET. A statement of the Council's account for the half-year ending 30th Septembc was laid on the table. escineek's report. The Engineer's report was read a follows: Ashburton Forks. Projective Works : Tl. contractors for these works have made sati: fac'ory progress during the last month. A the pipes for the groins at the various place have been driven, and the fascine work for a of them has been filled in with the exceptio of that near the north-east corner of Reserv 1122. With the exception of the cut in riv< bed below Winchmore road crossing whic has still 10 be done, the earthwork specifie has been completed. The Protective Works nea north approach of riyer bridge at Mclntyre's ar well advancea. inepip*. »»inoi ;c_ finished, and the fascine and earthwork will b completed in about a week from *his date. S> far, the new works along the course of th river are acting well, but the question of main tenance must be very carefully attended to foi a few month', during which time the points o the groins must be made up from time to time as subsidence takes place through the action of floods. Until such time as the fascines ge embedded beyond the reach of scour, and the increasing growth of the willows afford addi> tional protection to the groins ana floodbanks. Wakanui Protective Works s The bulwark at the river bed may be said to be completed now for the full length of 20 chains. The new relief channel in front of the bulwark which the Council authorised at last meeting has also been finished very satisfactorily. 'I he pile driving for the four groins in this distr ct has been satisfactory completed, but the fascine work for said groins has yet to be done. It will, I think, be necessary to place another groin lower down the river bed at a cost of about L4O, but before de- < iding as to this it would be belter first to see the effect of groins now in progress. The whole of the contract and extra |work should be completed in about two weeks from this time, and |':he same remarks as to .maintenance in the Forks district would apply here.—Wakanui Creek improvement at Corbett's: Mr Black, the contractor, on account of having his hands Arl with the protective works has not yet been able to start this work.—Main roads : The formation of Kyle ro d has been finished, but a small portion at the upper end of vshburton Gorge contract still remains to be done. —Flood Channel Upper Hinds District : As requested by the Council I have visited this district, and have ca.ei'ully investigated the subject with the view of providing relief in an efficient nd economic manner. The red line on the accompanying plan shows the general com se of flood channel from near its sou ce at the base of the hills to its present outlet into the Hinds river at a point about 1% miles below Mayfield, the total length of its course being about 12 miles. The flood channel is well defined as far down as Morrow's road, and the -torm, water does no appreciable damage above this point; but from this downwards all the way it is a source of injury to roa s, fences, lands, and water-races. 1 should, therefo e, propose to divert the water diiectly in'o the South Hincis river along Morrow's road and the continuation of the road l ; ne along the upper I oundary of R. 5. 28736, a distance in all of less than 30 chains. Mhe site of the. proposed

work is situated about mid-way between the upper and lower end of the s orm channel, and here the channel approaches nearer the Hinds river than at any other point. Having taken the necessary levels and prepared detail sections and estimates, I find that the cost will be about Lys. ; Tenders for the work could be received next week if the Council should authorise it.— Flood Channel, etc, near Cairnbrae ; Tenders for this chan' el and for several races near Lauristonand Lyndhurst will be placed before you to-day. The earthwork of races for the owners of property in Mount Hutt Downs district is on the point of completion, . The culverts and flumes near Broompark are in progress. Some delay with the latter has been caused through the presence of water in the foundations, but the contractors arc now taking steps to have the work completed at an early date. The completion of this race should yield a small surplus for the proposed branch through Rakaia township district. The works of this race might be tendered for at next meeting if funds are provided. The loop line ofl test channel in the Chertsey district is being proceeded ;with. The duration of a portion of B race asked for by Mr Grayburn and Mr Lill would be about 40 chains in length with three road crossings, and would discharge into present race at upper end ofR.S. 26,921, as shown on map. They will defray the cost of same. The owners in Grange district also request an extension at upper end of saleyards race as shown on plan for which they will provide funds—Flood Water Relief, Longbeach Road District: As requested 1 now beg to subjoin estimate of the works which the Committee appointed to deal with this question propose should be undertaken m whole or in part, with the view of giving relief to the various districts affected:—

1. Flood drain to discharge into South Ashburton river along road known as old Timaru track ;£lS° 2. Creek improvements near South road and Mr Houston’s ... , ... ... 30 3. Additional crossing. Ford’s road ... 20 4. Enlargin r and improving Ford’s creek from near Flemington to the sea ... 150

> I t I I 3 t J 3 I 1 a 8 S i ,t > e ti ie n is Bh !»i i>l >r si { 3< < ti il h 4 r B. t< a ji h< 31 B( tl a a e i »] i) t to hi h ti c o ir tiQ ic it \a ii U O '3 ,c r !>< 5« O 1( Id be 91 18 1« S.ll :s .11 in 'e :i :h d ir •e y ie o e ir .f F t i r I l I SEPARATION. The petition of Mr Cameron and others and that of Messra Gerard and MoLeod, praying for severance from the Mount Hutt district and addition to the Mount [ Hutt district, was granted. NOTICE OF MOTION. Mr Jackson gave notice that he would move at next meeting— *' That the Council expresses its opinion on the advisableness of the Ashburton Domain being placed under the control of the Ashburton borough."

oicanrrig"Races; The races in the Hinds-Ran-gitata district have been -substantially cleaned out during the month. Considerable expense has had to be incurred in cleaning the races through Crown Lands. The Wakanui, Wheatstone, Mount Somers, and Springburn races ai eat present shut off for cleaning urposes, but as yet no progress could be made, as owing to wet weather the races arc partially supplied with s rface water, and the occupiers cannot now complete the cleaning satisfactorily till Tuesday first. FLOOD CHANNEL, HINDS. On the suggestion of the Chairman, it was determined to delegate this worn to the new Council. FLEMINGTON-WATEBTOW STOKM WATER. The report of the Committee appointed by the Council to examine into the subject of petition from settlers in the Flemington and Vaterton districts as to obtaining further relief from a term water, having been read, was, on the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr Taylor, adopted. On the motion of Mr Macfarlane, it was resolved ihst the work referred to in the Engineer’s report be put in hand, provided LIOO be subscribed towards the cost by the proprietors interested. - BAKAIA TOWNSHIP WATEB-BACE. It was resolved that tenders for the race through the Rakaia township be called for, provided the funds be contributed. LILL AND GRAYEDBN AND GRANGE RACES. The applications for construction of these races were referred to the Water Supply Committee with power to act. The remainder of the Engineer’s report was adopted. 1 NEGLECTED WATER RACES. The Engineer’s return of properties 1 through which the races had not been cleaned was laid on the table, and on the motion of Mr Lambie, seconded by Mr Macfarlane, it was resolved —“ That races not cleared be attended to at the owners cost, according to Clause 5 of bye laws.” WATER SUPPLY COMMITTEE. 1 The minutes of the Water Supply Committee were fead and approved 01. ‘ SEVERANCE. A petition from Messrs Gerard and McLeod, praying to have their properties severed from the Mount Somers rtoad Board district and be added to the Mount Uutt Road Board district, (was presented by Me Jackson, and referred to a committee to examine. 1 PETITION. Mr Taylor said that he had bean requested by Mr Croy ; of Ashton, to ask what had become of a petition presented <0 the Council by him. The Engineer reported that he had been authorised by the Council to deal with the petition and had done so, and Mr Groy bad expressed himself as satisfied. WATER SUPPLY REFUND. In reply to Mr . aylor, the Chairman said that a refund of L 4 8s 2d to Mr Prebble would be made immediately that gentleman applied for it. COMPLIMENTARY. A letter was read from a number of ratepayers in the Ohertsey district, expressing their appreciation of the benefits conferred upon the County generally by the Council. It was resolved to acknowledge the letter and express the thanks of the Council for the expression of opinion. PAYMENTS. Accounts amounting to L 1,40? were passed for payment. CORRESPONDENCE. The following correspondence was read: —(1) From Messrs Hislop and Creagh, so icitors, accepting on behalf of Messrs McCallum and Co. the offer of LI3O 4s made by the Council in settlement of claim in respect to Bangitata bridge works, and expressing regret that their clients’ peaceable disposition deprived them of the pleaauraof enlightening the Uouuuii u their larger legal oDI not to say anything of their moral ones.— (2) From Mr George Cole, chairman of a public meeting held at the vVakanui schoolroom, enclosing a resolution adopted by that meeting, recommending an in-, crease a in the price paid for small birds eggs and heads.—lt was resolved to pay Is 3d per hundred for eggs and heads.— (3) From Mount Somers Koad Board, requesting that suitable footbridges be placed across water-races in the Alford Forest district.—The Engineer was ’ directed to place planks across the races. —(4) Prom the Insurance Department, enclosing debenture in respect to the loan of LI,OOO for the Forks protective works for signature.—Messrs Wright and Jackson wore authorised to sign the debenture. —(5) From the Mount Somers Road Board, stating that a meeting of ratepayers of the district had approved of certain deviations of roads —The decision of the ratepayers was confirmed.

METHVBN DOMAIN. On the motion uf Mr Jackson, seconded by Mr Bullock, it was resolved that the balance of the domain rate L 43 lUa 6d be paid to the Methven Domain Board, they not having hitherto participated. ASHBDKTON DOMAIN, It was resolved that the Ashburton Domain Board be informed that they have had all funds available. HOLIDAYS. It was resolved to close the Council offices on the 10th, 12th and 19th instant, whole days, and on the Jlst and 22nd, half days.

DOO REGISTRAR. : A retorn of dog co'lara soW by Mr -T. 0. Bell, the registrar, was laid on the table. On the ■oo'ion of Mr Jackson, seconded by Me Macfar'ane, it was resolved—- “ That the Clerk to the County Council act as sole Dog Registrar for the year 1833 on the score of economy.”

TENDERS. The following tenders were accepted;Ho. 1 and 2 contracts, J. Devery. L 22 19s 2d and L4l; No. 3 contract, J. fiiaok, L 45 19s 2d. chairman’s HONOR ABIC M. On the motion of Me..M«cfarlan«, seconded by Mr Taylor, the usual honorarium of LIOO for the year ras voted., to the Chairman, Mr W. 0. Walker. OFFICE EXPENDITURE.' I Mr Bullock said that .he cordially agresd with the suggestion's for reductions in the Council’s office expenditure made by the Chairman. He thought if . would be unwise to alter the constitution of the Council, as there were many county works which the Road Boards could not possibly provide for. jtM Mr Macfarlaue approved of the sag* gestions made by the Ohai’mani r but thought the question should be relegated to the incoming Councillors. „ H Mr Jackson expressed his approval of the Chau nun's suggestions, and while 1 favorable to leaving the matter to the new Councillors, thought the present members might leave some record of llj,cir views on the question.) Mr Taylor concurred with the views of the previous speaker. Mr Lambic spoke to the same effect. The Chairman said that he was confident that Councillor swere unanimous In n desire to effect economy. The heavier works of the Council were new oompleted and the Engineer would be only required on half time, and could be reasonably asked to accept half the salary he had hitherto received. The Chairman's honenriam,* too, TmSM-thk-jfwmm. stances be discontinued. These redactions could not have been effected at an earlier date. “

Mr Bullock thought the time was not far distant when the powers of the Council would be enlarged. He moved the suggestion contained in the Chairman’s statement be approved of. This was seconded by Mr Lambie, and carried. -3, VOTES OF THANKS. Votes of thanks were passed' to the Chairman, Mr W. 0. Walker, and to the Acting-Chairman, Mr E. G. Wright, for their services during the past year, and The Council rose.