ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1529, 1 May 1885, Page 2

ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Ashburton County Council was held at the Council Chambers, to-day. Present —Messrs VV. C. Walker (in the c 'air), Joseph Megson, Donald McLean, Julian Jackson, 0. J. Harper and E. S. Coster-

ROUTINE. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed The Rangers’ diaries were laid on the table, and the business done by the Chairman since last meeting was approved of. chairman’s statement.

The Chairman said—ln consequence of the Chief Surveyor disapproving of the description of the boundaries of the proposed new road district of Anama, the Council will have to pass a resolution at this meeting adopting the description of the boundaries of that district as required by the Chief Surveyor, I have written to the Government-requesting it to gazette the postponement of the Mount Somers Road Board election for a month, so as to avoid the necessity of holding two elections in such a short space of time. Mr Braddell has written to say that ho will act as Presiding Officer at the local option pol to be taken this month. Sergeant Felton has informed me that he will do his best to enforce the registration of dogs in this County, and that the constables have been instructed to prosecute all owners of unregistered dogs. The number of dogs registered is 84*—Ranger No 1 (Mr Morrison) has registered out of this number 141 dogs, and Ranger No 2 (Mr Craighead), 186 ; the balance bping registered at this office. The Rangitata Road Board has replied to the Council’s question as to how much that body would be willing to contribute towards the proposed Hinds floodwater channel estimated by the Engineer at L 75. A letter from the Longbeach Road Board, referring to drainage of

Ford’s Greek will bo placed before the Council- The Wakanui Road Board has requested the Council to make immediate arrangements to have the River road reconstructed where extraordinary damage has been none. I have informed that body that the Council is advised that n? responsibility as regards this road has been incurred by the Council, and though gazetted a main road the Council has never applied for a grant under the Act, and so exercised no control or acquired any responsibility. The Engineer will report on this road. The Selwyn County Council has furnished copies of resolutions passed by it with reference to the control of the Rakaia Gorge Bridge, and also asks for this Council’s views as to the introduction of sparrow hawks into the the country with the object of abating the small birds nuisance. A petition has been received from certain ratepayers as to the division of the present Longbeach Road Board district, and the formation of a new Road Board to be called the Hinds Road Board. This petition will be placed before the Council at this meeting. The Committee appointod'to propose a petition to Parliament re local Government has nget, and will present its report. I have -igned an agreement furnished by the Government re the vote for L 7.000 for the Ashburton traffic bridge. This agreement embodies what the Minister said in his letter to the Council on the 7th March last. A copy has been kept in the office and can be seen if required by any of the members. The auditor has audited the six months and yearly accounts which are placed on the table. The Council will have to hold its annual meeting after this one, as provided in the Counties Act, 1876 The Town Clerk states that the Ashburton Borough Council will take into cons deration the question of taking over the Ashburton pound at the meeting on May 11. The acceptance of a tender, at last meeting of Council, for the maintenance of the water-races for the part o‘ the County between the Ashburton and Rangitata rivers renders it necessary that the Council should consider the whole question of a water rate, especially as the Council has accepted the principle of a water rare as a portion of the year’s extended revenue. The contract already let for maintenance to the south of the river Ashburton comprises miles of race, at an annual coat of Ll6B and in justice to the ratepayers north of the Ashburton either that sum should be raised by a special rate or the races north of the Ashburton should bo treated in a similar manner. Ca culated on the scale, the races in the rest of the County would cost about LSOO to maintain. I am of opinion, therefore, that the Council should as soon as possible, determine if the contract let last meeting is to remain an exception to the general scheme, is to be treated accordingly; or whether the whole County should have its races maintained in the same manner. In either case the Council should lose no time in raising by water rate, under the provisions of the bye-laws, a sum sufficient to defray all the expenses connected with the system, and I trust that the Council will take it into consideration at this meeting, so as to free the general finance of what has already been recognised as a special charge. BALANCE SHEETS. The balance sheets for the six months and for tho twelve months ending March 31 last, duly audifel by the Provincial Auditor, wore laid >. n the table. engineer’s report. The Engineer’s report was read as follows : Main Roads: I have prepared plans, sections, etc, for a further extension of work on the Ashburton Gorge road, also a contract for the balance to be expended on road Alford Forest to Mount Hutt, and another section of the former could be let say two months hence, under the ißth clause of the Roads and Bridges Construction Act, the Council has to

provide funds funds equal to 25 per cent ol

cost of above.—Main Road, Winslow to Lower Rangitata: As requested, I have inspected this portion of the south road. The section between Winslow and Hinds, in length six miles or thereby, has apparently been formed at one time, but so irregularly and irrespective of drainage, that the work seems to have been of little benefit. Natural hollows, in-

stead of having been made up, had been made deeper by scooping, and so form so many receptacles for floodwater on the line of traffic. This portion would require to be re-formed and grated with suitable fords, put in at [intervals so that the water would not lodge on any portion gf the road —and for 2 '/ z miles to the south of Winslow the road should be shingled— For a short' distance south of Hinds railway station the road has been formed and gravelled, but for the remainder of the distance to the Rmgitata river (seven miles) nothing whatever has been done. Even the track which has been formed by vehicles (as sketched on map) I is a long way oft the authorised road line ; one result being that the fords at crossings of waterraces are not utilised, and races, etc., are damaged in consequence. As there is really ne road in that portion of the district, the fcrmatigu, at least, of the seven miles referred to ought to te done, and the traffic put on to the proper line. If the Council contemplate applying for a grant under the Roads ijnd Bridges Construction Act for this portion of the Main South road between Winslow and Rangitata, it will be necessary that the plans, sections, etc., be prepared and forwarded to Wellington as soon as possible. —River road, Wakanui : The breach in this road caused by the encroachment of the river, extends to 16 chains or thereby. I estimate the restoring of road across the branch on its present line, and to the original level' with a formation width gf 30 feet at about LBO, but with an inclination into the river-bed at either end, the cost might pjobably be reduced to about L 35. The protective work;; do not interfere with the line of road in any way, ijnd the small embankment from lower end of bulwark can easily be added on the line which may seem most desirable to prev nt backwater, and so ‘ave the road formation, if the Road Board should place it at the lower level. I understood, a month Ot two ago, the Road Board tyas taking steps to restore the road but if the Council should row desire to assume control of that section of it, it woul 1 be necessary in the first place to obtain a grant under the Act for the amount required. Assuming the cost to be LBO, it is probable, judging from [proper;

tionate allocations granted hit erto, that not more than one-tenth part would be given, and this would practically render, the application useless.—Road, Blackford to Redcliffe : Tenders will he placed before you to-day for the first section of this road. Another section could follow in a month or two, as the Council may decide. Some deviations will have to be made through Blackford property, but the owners will agree to th s, so long as equal exchanges of area are given. Black Mountain Track: I have again visited this bridle path, and would recommend that any balance al ocated for it, be expended for maintenance purposes by the tenant as occasion may arise. I should not entertain any proposal to put In shoots or culverts there, because I am satisfied they would almost immediately become in operative.—Flood Channel, Cairnbrae : For the sake of connection it will be necessary to extend the channel about twelve chains beyond the present termination, and I have arranged for this being done. — Plains Water Supply : The repairs at sluices at Pudding Hill have been effected during the month, and improvements of Chapman’s Creek have also been made. The E races above Barrhill have been well cleared out, but several sections lower down the plains have not been overhauled to the same extent. This was no doubt due to the fact of a partial supply from D main being kept up during the time appointed for the clearing of these races, and this lends me again to suggest the propriety of shutting the water entirely off each alternate race, say for four days, and commencing the annual clearing in about ten days hence. If occupiers do not commence the work within two days of the appointed time, it must be done by the Council at their expense. —Wakanui Flat Wafer Supply ; Some minor improvements have been effected in the mains in this disliict, and there is now a full supply for all the branches.—Ashburton-Rangitata Water Supply : The contractor for maintenance is now employed in clearing waterways, and making good the more defective portions of races, etc, and will shortly be prepared to undertake a general overhaul. Meantime in many places there is no access provided for passing a vehicle with tools, scoop, etc, and occupiers must be called upon to remedy this. I have marked off the race proposed for the Ashburton Borough endowment near the Hinds on the line indicated on the map. The race applied for by Mr Edgar might be taken out of Q race near South road, as shown on map. The length would be fully two miles.—Wakanui Protective Works: The making up of the bulwark has now been completed as well as the erection of two groins in face of it as authorised by Council. The.third small groin which was proposed should, however, be added, after which, I consider the whole would be fairly secure. The question of willow planting, which the Council postponed till this meeting, will now come up for consideration.—Flood Drain, Tinwald ; The small bridge to the south of Tinwald is now blocked,, and it can be shifted to proposed new site as soon as the Council may direct. —Upper Rangitata Bridge : The decking planks and bearers of the old portion of the bridge are fast decaying, and some renewals have just been made, but all the old deck is now getting quite unsafe. The north approach and fencing are a'so inefficient. —Traffic Bridge, Ashburton ; Tenders for this bridge will be laid before you to-day. In connection with this question it will be for the Council to decide whether the three recesses (or passing places) originally proposed are to be adopted. For this bridge I should be inclined to recommend them. MAIN ROADS

It was resolved that the Engineer be Instructed to prepare plans, etc., for mak; ing application under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act, for the main road between Winslow snd Ealing. The Clerk was directed to inform the Longbeach Road Board of this resolution. RIVtfR ROAD, WA'sANUI. On the motion of Mr Megson, seconded by Mr MoL'ean, it was resolved—“ That the amount of LBO for repairing extraordinary damage to the River road be applied for under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act.” The Clerk was directed to inform the Wakanui Road Board of this resolution. ROAD. BLACKFORD TO REDCLIFFB.

The Engineer’s report upon the Blackford- Redd iffa road was agreed to. PLAINS WATER STPPLY. On the motion cf Mr Coster, seconded by Mr Megson, it was resolved—“ That it is desirable that the water races throughout the Oonnty should be cleaned by contracts to be let by this Council, and that the water rata to be raised be the amount necessary for this purpose and for payment of rangers’ salaries and con tingencies. ASHBURTON-RANGITATA WATER SUPPLY. It was resolved that the Water Supply Committee confer with the Engineer as to the size and conditions of gates to be erected in fences crossing water races. WILLOW PLANTING.

It was resolved to postpone willow planting till next month. FLOOD DRAIN BRIDGE, TINWALD.

On the motion of Mr UcLean, seconded by Mr Harper, it was resolved—“ That the flood drain bridge, Tinwald, be moved to the original crossing near the Ashburton bridge." EAHGITATA ROAD BRIDGE.

It was resolved That the Engineer prepare an estimate of what is necessary as to repairs, etc*, required by the Rangit&ta road bridge, and that the same be forwarded to the Geraldine County Council.” Mr Harper called attention to the bad condition of the nonhern approach to the bridge, and after discussion, it was lesolved—“ That the matter of clearing the approach from boulders be left in the hands of the Chairman to refer to the Chairman of the Rangitata Road Board.” WATER RACES. On the motion of Mr Taylor, seconded by Mr Coster, it was resolved—“ That the water be shut off and the races be cleared out where necessary, as proposed by the Engineer.” LOC AL GOVERNMENT. The Committee appointed to prepare a petition to Paliament re local Government reported as follows :—That in considera-

tion of the fact that the Government are preparing locjl Government measures for early presentation to Parliament, the Committee bag to recommend the Council to submit their views in the first place to Government with the hope that their views may, to some extent at all events, be included in the Government proposals. The main point which the Committee believe the ratepayers are most anxious to see settled- is that there should be only one rating body. This would, in their opinion, be secured by the provisions of the Amendment Act, 1882, which, under certain conditions, enable a County C uncil of Road Board Chairmen to be constituted As the law at present stands such a Council h»s very limited, indeed no executive powers, and the Committee considers that it all executive powers save and except that of levying a rate other than special, were granted to a Council so eonstituted the amendm mt mainly desired would be obtained. The Committee therefore beg to recommend the to Council forvard to Government the above proposal, believing that it will meet the requirements ot this part of the colony,

Mr Jackson moved thas the report be adopted. Mr Megson seconded the motion

Mr Harper protested against t,he report on the grounds that a County Council composed of Chairmen of Road Boards without the power to rate would t, O a useless body, unable to carry on the of the County, and added that he thoughthe day was fast approaching when some of the Road Boards would be glad to merge int) the County Council. TJie Boards at present were not able to maintain efficient' officers, and consequently their work was not properly performed. By the Boards uniting with the Council, all questions as to the responsibility of certain roads snd bridges would be set at rest and the work of the district performed under the efficient management of

the Council’s officers. He therefore felt called upon to protest against any report which endangered the present position of the Council, a body which had done ao

much good work in the past and would, he had no donbt, continue to do equally good work In the future. The motion for the adoption of the re* port was put and carried. WATER SUPPLY COMMITTEE. The report of the Water Supply Cord* inittee was read and adopted. ASHBURTON ROAD BKICGB. Leave was given to Mr Megson tc postpone his motion—“ That the balance of money to complete the Ashburton road bridge be paid out of the County funds"— for a month. ACCOUNTS. The usual monthly accounts amounting to L 528 18a lOd were passed for payment. REMISSION 07 HATES. [ Mr{ Patterson waited upon the Council I and applied for a remission of rates in I consideration of the damage his property I had sustained by the erection of the I Wakanui protective works,—Mr Patter* I son's application was referred to the Pro* I teotive Works Committee to {report upon. I CORRESPONDENCE. I The following correspondence was read: I —(I) From the Chairman of the Pangitata I Road Board, calling the attention of the I Council to the small proportion of County I expenditure hitherto made iu the Rang!* I tata .district, and asking whether the I Council thought it fair that the Board ' I ah mid be called upon to pay any portion I of the L 75 required for the storm water I diversion. —On the motion of Mr Harper, seconded by Mr Taylor, it was resolved—- “ That the Council provide one half the I cost of the storm water diversion, on the ; I understanding that the Road Board don- , I tribute the other half; the work to be ! I dona under the supervision of the Conn* I oil.”—(2) From the Winslow Cemetery : I Board, applying for a grant of L2O to the s I funds of the Board.—lt was resolved— I I “ That the Council regret that the Gemes 1 tery Board funds are exhausted."—(3) i I From Mr A. J. Huston, requiring the r I Council to clear out the Toi Toi drain.— r I The Engineer reported that the water ' I supply at Waterloo was taken out of this ® I drain, and was given on the distinct 0 I undertanding that the portion of the drain e I referred to should be kept clear and main* L . I tained by the ratepayers benefited by the n I supply. The Engineer recommended that if d I this undertaking were not carried out the f- 1 supply should be cut off and led down the ie I gorse fence drain. It was resolved—n 1 “ That the ratepayers who agreed to keep t" I the channel clear be communicated with;" 5r I —(4) Prom Mr 0, W. Purnell, the Conn* • 16 I oil’s solicitor, enclosing a draft resolution I amending the description of the Auama er I road district. —The resolution was adopted id Ihy the Oonncil. (5) From the Mount re I Somers Road Board, stating that the ist I poundkeeper had not effected the re* ig I quired repairs to the Mount Somers sg pound, and requesting the Oonncil to ir- I compel f he defaulter to perform the work. >re I It was resolved to pay L 5 due the pound* 3n I keeper for salary, to the Board, either to f r I hand to the poundkseper or to execute the required repairs.—(6) From the 3 I Longbeach Road Board referring to I widening of Ford’s creek from Je Mr W. Anderson’s to the sea, I and stating that the ratepayers interested 1( j had assented to the Board’s proposal.— jn I The Engineer was instructed to see the le I Longbeach Road Board surveyor on the I matter.—(7) From the Wakanui Road ° I Board, requesting the Council to reconI struct part of the River Road where exS( j traordmary damage has been done.—(B) at I Fiom the Selwyu County Council asking ir . I the Ashburton Council to co-operate in D . I the introduction of sparrow-hawks with a g 3 I view to the abatement of the small birds I nuisance. —lt was resolved that this I Council does not feel itself sufficiently well informed on the matter to cooperate. —(9) From the Selwyn County Conn* l£. oil agreeing to the Ashburton Council’s proposals in respect to the control and maintenance of the Rakaia Gorge bridge. NEW ROAD DISTRICT. A petition was read from ratepayers of BS the Longbeach Road District praying the )( j Council to constitute a new Road district, j to be called The Hin is Road District.— The petition was referred to a Committee, l( j consisting of Messrs Coster, McLean and } Jackson, to report upon to next meeting. LICENSE, WHEATSHEAF HOTEL.

Oa the recommendation of the Licensing Committee of the Ashburton district it was resolved to remit to Messrs Vincent and Go Ll 4 8s 3d,fthe proportionate value of the license during the time the house was closed.

ASHBURTON ROAD BRIDOE. . Fifteen tenders were received for the construction of the Ashburton Road Bridge. That of Mr J. W. .Thomas at. L 8,164 6s was accepted. The Chairman explained that in addition to the amount of the accepted tender LSOO would be required for approaches r etc., and about L 450 for Engineer’s and Inspector’s salary. Mr Coster presented a petition from ratepayers in the Bakaia district, praying to be exempt from bearing any part of the cost of the bridge, and moved that the prayer of the petition be acceded to. Mr Jackson seconded the motion, which on' being put to the Council was lost. ASHBURTON RIFLES. The Chairman said he had been requested to invite the members of the Council to become honorary members of the Ashburton Rifle Corps. TENDERS. The following tenders were accepted : —Alford Forest and Rakaia Gorge road ; Mr W. MoOlymont, LIOO 16s 8d ; Blackford road : Mr R- Harvey, L 129 15s ; Ashburton Gorge road: Messrs Forbes and Christie, L 122 9s Bd. CLERICAL ASStSTANOS.

Tbe Clerk was instructed to obtain clerical assistance for the preparation of rolls. ADJOURNMENT. The Council than adjourned till Jan&s.