ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1389, 26 November 1884, Page 2

ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Special Meeting.

A special meeting of the Council was 9 held at n on to-day. Preeont—Mesara. W. C. Walker, C. J. Harper, E. S. Coster, £ D. McLean, J. Megaon, T. Taylor and J. j Jackson. c ■ ELECTION. s A letter was read from the Returning c Oflioer stating the result of the recent e election of Councillors. s CHAIRMAN. 1 On the motion of Mr Jackson, seconded 1 by Mr Harper, Mr W. O. Walker was j appointed Chairman of the Council for * the ensuing year. ] Mr Walker briefly expressed his appreciation of the honor conferred upon him. \ Ordinary Meeting. . 1 — ■ 1111 ■' 11 ■ < The ordinary monthly meeting of the < Council was then held, Mr W. O. Walker occupying the chair, and all the other 1 Councillors present, except Mr Taylor, who obtained permission to retire. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. chairman’s statement. The Chairman said—“ A petition from the settlers in the village settlements, South Rakaia, praying for a water supply, will be placed before che Council. The Engineer has visited the locality and will report on this matter. The Geraldine County Council has forwarded a copy of correspondence received from 'the Public Works office, together with plan of proposed bridge adjoining the Rangitata Railway bridge. This subject the late Council considered, and it asked the Geraldine County Council to furnish it with a statement of the amounts the local bodies in the Geraldine County would be willing to contribute, but this question remained in abeyance pending the decision of the local bodies interested as to the suitability of the place proposed by the Government for the object in view and the amounts to be contributed. It appears the place furnished provided for foot passengers only, and is not adapted for carrying stock. The Council at this meeting will have to elect a Treasurer, also two'of its members to serve on the Ashburton High School Board, besides members for the various Committees required. The Council is requested also to consider the question of supply of dog collars for next . year, appointment of Dug Registrar and ’ price to be charged for registering dogs. Application to Government has been mads for balance of amounts for Wakanui protective works, the LI,OOO for Ashburton protective works, also balance of Go- ( vernment grant re main roads. The amount of rates paid is 13,761 19s Bd. ’ BATES. ! Replying to Mr Megson, the Chairman : stated that the rates had nob been colt lected on commission, but by the office staff. The coat had been about 2 pec L cent. engineer’s report. t The Engineer’s report was read as follows : J Water-race, Rakaia township district : The petition from the settlers in this suburban dis- [ trict has necessitated the entire re-arrangement of the scheme previously proposed. I now \ beg to submit tracing, the dotted red line on | which shows the deviation which would be necessary, extending from the junction near t reserve m2 to the town of South Rakaia. I have staked out the line and taken fresh levels L over that route, which would be quite practicable with the ordinary depth of cutting ex- , cept at two or three points where additional , earthwork would be necessary. This line would avoid the undulating ground towards the lower end of block 6, and would serve nearly all the allotments in blocks 3 and 5. The settlers on block 4 also ask for a similar service, and a petition to that effect will pro--1 bably be presented to the Council to-day. The > dotted blue line on tracing shows the general ■ route of the line which would be best adopted 1 for giving that service. At the upper end of j it the ground is very undulating, and cut up j by flood channels, and an intersection of Mr L.yttel'on’s paddock, adjoining R.S. 5417, would be necessary in order to serve the upper allotments effectually. This severance he objects to in the meantime. I question much * whether the race to be opened in a few days r over the Mount Halt, Downs district, will afford the additional supply necessary for these • two lines, but if it should do so for the pre- , sen ,it would fail when the supply from Pud- , ding Hill is at a minimum, and one of two courses must be adopted soon, either to still . further increase the size of D main at upper end, so as to get the required surplus fro.n . auxiliary channel leading to Methven, or i otherwise to tap the Rakaia river in the vicinity of Rakaia. The latter could be made to serve the present and additional races below the railway in the Rakaia district, and the supply from present sources of E races m : ght ■ be confined to the district above the railway, for the supply of existing .and prospective races in Mount Hutt and Rakaia districts. The tapping of the Rakaia river would be a work of some magnitude, but before fully investigating the scheme, I could not say what the cost might be, and for the present at least, the other alternative would .be less expensive, and might probably suffice. —Race E 8, Mount Hutt Downs The earthwork of this race is finished, as also the flumes and culverts' in the vicinity of Broom Park. All the road crossings will be completed in a few days, and the race put in operation next week. This race will require special attention for a time, as until the earthworks get consolidated some injury is likely to

take place from its exposure to the floodwater passing along the downs.—Flood channel, etc, Cairnbrae : The flood channel and races near Cairnbrae are now being started, and the ra e extension near Lauriston will be commenced next week.—Main roads : A section of Ashburtoi Gorge road has been finished and gravelled to the extent of 80 chains, and the formation is nearly finished over the balance of the contract. The formation of the road in Kyle district has also been completed.—Black Mountain track : The improvement of this track will be put in hand as soon as A. Turner finishes his present contract at Rakaia Gorge, which w.ll be in a few days.—Water-race, Grange District : I have now made the neces-

sary arrangements with the owners interested in this proposed race. They have agreed to defray the cost, and will send in their respective contributions in a few days, when 1 will

invite tenders for the work, —Flood water channel. Upper Hinds District: This question, on wh ch 1 reported at last meeting of the Council, and consideration of wh'ch was then postponed, now falls to be taken up anew. Floodwater, Flemington: The arrangements propose i for relief for Tinwald and Flemington districts are also in abeyance, pending the decision of the petitioners as to contribution towards the cost as proposed by Council; Failing the carrying out of the proposals in full, it might be advisable to execute the minor improvements proposed near Mr Houston’s'-and in crossings at Ford’s road. These improvements would

provide a certain measure of relief, and at a comparatively small cost. —Ashburton Forks Protective Works ; These works so far as authorised have now been completed, and the groins at the various places continue to act satisfactorily, with the exception of two at Green’s crossing where there is a sandy foundation, and where some additional piles will be necessary. The new cuts in the river-bed are so fir acting satisfactorily, specially the one below the Winchmore road. Protective Works North of Ashburton Bridge : The protective works at North approach near Mclntyre’s have now been satisfactorily completed, and are having the desired eflecr of checking the river encroachment there, which threatened to cause a breach between the bridge and terrace. The willow plots for the most part are thriving well. There is still a small balance available from the protective works fund for this district. This should be reserved for maintenance purposes. Upper Rangitata Bridge : The decayed timbers in this bridge are being replaced as becomes necessary, and I shall have the small protective work at old crate repaired without delay.—Wakanui Protective works : The bulwark has now been completed for the full specified length, namely, 20 chains, but an addition d length of 2 chains or so would have been desirable had been funds avails le. As it is, with the extra works Si ea y authorised, the amount of contracts v.iil be exceeded by fully Lioo. The cantrac- 1

tor, partly o.ving to wet weather, and his men having him* has not got the small groins filled

in yet, andconsequently the pipes in some o t the vacant groins have become displaced, and he must renew them. As I previously reported two small additional groins are likely to be required near Paterson’s after those now in hand are completed.—Wakanui Flat Water Supply: As authorised by the Council, I have had the race re-instated where the breach occurred at River Road, but through the operations of a contractor of the Wakanui Road Board, seve al chains, of race have been on the road line near James Cochrane'*,' lffie*" earthwork of the race having been deliberately scooped, away to form the road. It appears he has gdt order; to restore the embankment but nothing has .been-done towards-: it,..and. meantime the owners along that line artf debarred from the, service, which, otherwise would have been available to* tliem. ‘ That branch, through river encroachment has been shut off for a considerable time, and farther delay should not be allowed to take place how. —Water supply: The water races on the Ash-buion-Rakaa section have not been running quite so steadily this month as formerly, . The rause being chiefly obstructions at junctions. The Ashburton-Rangitata races have been flowing satisfactorily. waxe r exce.baiuiatpwnship. A petition was read from a number of" residents in the locality, - praying that a water race might be constructed through the Rakaia village settlement.

Mr Coster said that several landholders higher up the river were anxious to secure a supply of water,, would be . prepared to defray a share of thd neces- ' aary cost of introduction. —The petition was referred to the Water Supply, Corn- ; mittee. • - EXPENDITURE DE BATES. Replying to Mr McLean, the Chairman said thao the expenditure In each riding was as far as .expedient proportionate to the rates collected, GRANGE DISTRICT WATER-BACE. The Chairman was authorised to accept tender for this work. WAKANUI PROTECTIVE WORKS. Mr Megson said that he had been informed that these, works, were a complete failure, and a portion wee washed away by the recent floods. The Engineer: waa called and reported that the works were perfectly satisfactory, and that no pax t had been disturbed by the river. WATER SUPPLY COMMUTES. The minutes and report of this Commit- - tee were read and confirmed. ~ • ’"‘ T' V TREASURER. The Chairman was re-appointed Tm-’' surer and authorised to sign cheques in conjunction with any other two members of the Council. ACCOUNTS. Accounts Amounting to 1*536 Isfidwerb passed for payment CORRESPONDENCE. - . The following correspondence was read: —(1) From the Government Insurance Commissioner stating that two LSOO debentures were required in place of the one forwarded for LI,OOO Against the loan granted to the Council.—The Chairman and Mr Jackson were authorised to sign|the debentures.—(2) From the Geraldine County . Council enclosing. correspondence between that Council and the Minister for Public Works in respect to a footbridge in connection with the Rangitata railway bridge. ---Consideration postponed.—(3) From tho Upper Ashburton Road Board, calling' the attention of the Council to the scour io the stormwater channel near . Winchmore.—Consideration postponed. • At this stage Mr Taylor rejoined the Council, and the following Committees were appointed:—Water Supply: Messrs Coatei, Harper. Walker, Jaok&on, and McLean; Cameron's petition: Messrs Coster and Harper ; Hospital: Messrs Walker, Jackson, and McLean ; Reserves: Mess s Harper, Coster, and Taylor; Protective works: Messrs Walker, Megson, and McLean.

DOG COLLARS. It was resolved to have tbs surplus dog collars reatamped and colored for issue next year. The Clerk was appointed Collector. HIGH SCHOOL BOARD. Messrs Walker and D. McLean were appointed members of the High School Board. NOTICE OP MOTION. Mr Coster gave notice that at next meeting he would move—“ That the registration fee for sheep and cattle doge actually used for herding .be 6s, and all other dogs 10l ” HOLIDAYS. It was resolved to close the Council offices from Wednesday, 24th December, to Friday, Ist January, 1885. POUNDS. It was resolved to nonsuit the respective Boad Boards in reference to re-leasing the Mount Hutt anil Mount Somers pounds, and to follow a similar course la respect, to the Rangitata ferry. LOCAL GOVERNMENT. - ■ Mr Coster thought that before rising: the new Council should express some opinion in respect to local Government Mr Walker said {it was the announced intention of the present Government {to prepare during the recess a Bill providing for material alterations in the character of the County Councils, and he did not think it wise to proju I ice their position by any premature action. In many respects he approved of a Council formed of the Chairmen of the Boad Boards, but unless a Council so constituted enjoyed larger powers than they could possibly .do under the Act, he thought its formation would be injudicious. In the meantime, they might diligently apply themselves towards economising in every possible direction. Mr Coster would like to see the Council composed of Chairmen of. the Boad Boards without retiring powers. Mr Megson asked the Chairman to point out the difference between the powers of the present Council and those that could be exercised by a Council constituted as suggested by Mr Coster. The Chairman quoted the clauses of the Act bearing on the subject. Mr Jackson gave notice that at next meeting he would move—“ That a Committee consisting of Messrs Walker, Megson, Harper, Taylor and the mover bo appointed to report on the financial position of the Council, showing its available revenue, liabilities for the ensuing year, and to recommend what Alterations in salaries and other expenditure can bo effected ; and that in view of alteration* the usual notice be given to the Council'* officers to terminate their present engagements.” Messrs Coster and Taylor spoke in very eulogistic terms of the past services rendered by the officers of the-Council, and expressed a hope that mutually satisfactory re-engagements might be made. Other Councillors concurred. Mr Megson thought the market value of the offices held under the Council should be ascertained by tender. The motion- was then put and carried. I Mr Jackson gave notice that at the next meeting he would move—“ That a Com- ■ mittee be appointed to draw up a petition to Parliament, stating the wishes of the ratepayers that there should be only one rating body; that the Chairmen of the Road Boards should constitute the Council, and that such Council should exercise all executive powers as fully as at present under the Counties Act, save and except the power of rating.’ 1 ADJOURNMENT. The * Council then sojourned until Friday, January 9.