ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1319, 6 November 1885, Page 2

ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Vshbarton County Council was held at the Council Chambers to-day. Present— Messrs W. C. Walker (chairman), 0 J. Harper, Iff. G. Wright, G. W. Headley, J Jackson and D. McLean. chairman's statement The Chairman said—l have accepted Messrs Hiroook and Co’s tender for Ll 6 14s 7d for planting and fencing willows at Padding Hill Bridge, which was agreed to at the last meeting of the Council. The Selwyn County Council’s Clerk states that that Council has deferred taking any action in the matter of appointment of a fordsman at Dobbins’ ford until hearing further from this Council. Copy of return of traffic at Dobbin’s ford, as furnished by the fordsman, is placed on the table. As the Council has expend its proportion of cost towards the grant for main roads, I have applied to the Government for its proportion, viz, L 940. Mr Morrison is in attendance on the Council to-day with reference to Mr Kendry’s case of diversion of a water race. Mr Kendry wishes to interview the Council in this matter. .1 delayed proceeding against Mr Ferriman re diversion of a water race as he wrote to me apologising for his action, and requesting me to defer taking any steps in this matter until he has bad an opportunity of stating his case before the Council. Mr Ferrimau is

therefore here to-day for that purpose. According to the Act Wednesday the 25th instant is the day appointed to hold the annual meeting for the election of a Chairman for the ensuing year, and I should like the- Council to decide whether the ordinary meeting is to be held on that day instead of on the first Friday in December. Tbe Council should at this meeting take the necessary steps for the the supply of dog collars for 188*5. I place on the table return of dog collars sold from 1881. Mr Bolleston has written to the Council with reference to the construction of a light bridge suffi oient for stock and foot passengers over the Bangitata river, in connection with the present railway bridge, which letter will be read at this meeting. I have, in con junction with Mr Ivess, communicated with the Minister for Public Works on this matter, hoping that be will instruct that the bridge be erected forthwith out of public money voted for public works this year, as the sum required is so small. The Committee appointed by the Council to inspect the encroachment of the Ashburton river as complained of by MrDigby, and at the Wakanui Protective Works have met and will report to-day. 1 he Treasury has paid a further grant of L 1250 to the Council’s credit on account of the Ashburton bridge. There is now only L 1,250 to ba paid by the Government to make up the vote L7,0J0. Tbe amount paid for water charges is L 495. 1 have furnished the Beglstrar-General, Wellington, with a set of maps for the usa of Enumerator for the forthcoming census, showing the boundaries of the various ridings in this county, os the Bo-gistrar-Genepal asked for description of boundaries of the ridings. Mr Sutherlw»4 bw writtra to tb« OoviaoU, pointing

oat to the Council the loss he hu bus-' tained in carrying out a contract in connection «ith the Wakanui Protective Works, and requesting the Council will favorably consider bis application to make good the loss, I notice that the Government has gazetted twenty acres ct Chertsey for a site for a sheep and cattle market, and has vested the above in this Council for that purpose. The first meeting of the Hospital Board of Ashburton was held yesterday. The Boa*dre-sppointed the old Committee of Management, viz , the Mayor and Mr Harrison reprasentlng the Borough Council, and Messrs Jackson, McLean, and Walker of this Conned, so that the Ashburton Hospital will be managed as heretofore, and no change will be made in the finance of the institution by the provisions of the Act, this Hospital having for some years been maintained by the Oonuty and Borough, .assisted by a £ for £ subsidy from Government, now made applicable to all hospitals in this colony. ROUTINE. The water rangers’ diaries, statement of business done by the Chairman since last' meeting, statement of rates paid and owing, and return of traffic on Dobbin’s ford bridge, were laid on the table. engineer's report. The Engineer’s report was read as follows ;

Ford’s Creek; The improvement of this creek fom Fiemington downwards has been completed with the exception of No 5 contract, which is in progress and more than half comp'eted. The beneficial effects of the improvements in this and also the Tinwald creek were manifest during the recent rains, and when the various occupiers erect 'he necessary floodgates in the lines of their division fences the outle for floo water should prove suffic ent.—Protection, Pudding Hill stream : The will w planting, sloping of banks, and erection of fencing have been satisfactorily completed during the month.—Bridges over water-races. Mount Hutt Road District: Having been hast ucted to eport on this matter, I have to state that at Lauriston, Cairnbra , and I rral there a e 14 races awaiting, and all the posts require secur nv more or less. The cost of putting the whole to rights would probably be abo t L 3. —Black Mountain Track; As request d by the Council, I have arranged ior the extension of the southern end of this bridle path and find the additional length rendered necessary by encroachment of the river is 43 chains. Men are at work tbere now.,and will complete the extension this month.—South Approach Rakaia Gorge Bridge: Fresh tenders are invited for to-day for the improvements sanctioned for >his work. No tender having been received when called for before.—Blackford and Redcliffe Road ; The contractor for section near Terrible Gully has not yet started work, and proposes to wait on the Council today to give his reasons for the delay.—Alford Forest and Rakaia Gorge road: Mr Harvey is making good progress with the gravelling, etc, near Dry creek, and will finish his contract in about a fortnight.—Ashburton Gorge, road: The work of graveling on Woolshed flat is aevancing as fast as the weather in that region will allow. I have prep red sections, cross sections, etc, for a further contract on this road near Booth's leveling, and tenders for the same will be laid before you to-day.— Flood Channel, Upper Hinds : This work has been done to the extent of about two-thirds of the contract and the flume required is being prepared. After this is done, a portion of the road will require to be restored and graveled.—Plains Water Supply: This supply has been fairly maintained during the month. A few of the junctions require a little adjustment; this will be attended te forthwith. The contractor for the unfinished sections of the Barrhill-Rakaia branch race h»s not yet started,, the workmen having been engaged till now in finishing several sections in the Ashburton-Rangitata District, but will proceed to commence the work at Lavington next weak.—Ashburton-Rangitata Water Supply; The maintenance contractor has now overhauled the races between the Ashburton and Hinds rivers, and is now about to start to the upper district .between Hinds and Rangitata rivers, where both., the races and lords require to be attended to. The. private water-races recently authorised between Hinds and Rangitata are now almost completed.— Bridge over River Hinds, Surveyors’ road : I estimate the cost of securing the present span, including pile driving and sheet planking at L6S. The contractor for the Ashburton Traffic Bridge would be ready to do the work shortly, immediately on completion of his pile driving at Ashburton.—Traffic Bridge, Ashburton ; Mr Thomas, the contractor, instill making good progress. Piles for 67 piers have been driven, capsills are placed on 64 piers. Bracer and railings on 60. Decking to the the extent of one-third of the entire length of bridge, and hand railing is in progress. In order that the south approach may be finished in good time, I beg to ask the Council’s authority to invite tenders for the earthwork to be sent in for next meeting of Council. water-baob bridges, mount huxx. Oa the motion of Mr Wright, it was resolved to instruct the Engineer to have work recommended by his report effected. BLACKFOROBEDCLIFFE ROAD The contractor for. the formation of the Blaokford-Bedoliffa road waited upon the. Council, and explained that he had tendered for work under a misapprehento its extent and character. The Engineer having conferred with the Gounod in respect to the matter, it was resolved, on the motion of Mr Wright, “That the contractor, Mr Forbes, be allowed the additional amount, L 34, and that the time be extended to December 14. 1885.’’ GOVERNMENT WORK. It was resolved that the Engineer’s and Inspector’s work on behalf of Government be charged to the special vote. FLOOD CHANNEL, HINDS. It was resolved to instruct the Engineer to have the read referred to iu his report metalled. surveyor’s road bridge. Gd the motion of Mr Wright, it waa resolved “ That the former resolution in respect to Surveyor’s Road Bridge be rescinded, and that the Engineer call for tenders for the work for next meeting.” ASHBURTON TRAFFIC BRIDGE. It was resolved to call for tenders for earthwork at traffic bridge for next meeting.

The Engineer was instructed to prepare a statement of liabilities in respect to the bridge. NEW WATER RACE. Mr Leadley presented a petition from a number of ratepayers in the Wakanni district praying for a new race. Referred to Water Supply Committee. dobbin’s ford. A petition was read from a number of residents in the lower South Rakaia District, representing that the ferryman at Dobbin’s ford was not required, and praying that the Council's contribution towards his salary might be discontinued. The Chairman said Mr Coster had requested him to state that a counter-peti-1 tion was in course of preparation, and It I was resolved to postpone consideration of the matter till next meeting. A. letter was read from the Selwyn County Council, stating that it bad postponed appointing a new ferryman until hearing further from the Ashburton County Council. water DIVERSION. Mr F. Ferriman waited upon the Council and explained the circumstances under Which he had diverted water as reported at last meeting. A letter was read from Mr McKendry, asking for the remission of fine inflicted upon him for a similar offence. It was resolved to inform Mr Ferriman that the tine hitherto inflicted, LlO, must be enforced. Consideration of Mr MoKendry’a application was deferred. I WATER SUPPLY OOItpQTTEE. The report of the Water Supply Oomnlttee was read and approved of. WATER RANGERS. Mr Wright called attention to the fact hat the Ranger was not inspecting the imds races maintained by the contractor. The Engineer, replying to the (Jhaircan, said the Ranger was not expected to aspect the races entrusted to the eon*

Mr Wright thought if inspection eoald be dispensed with in one part of the County it ooold be dispensed with alto* getber. A desultory discussion followed, at the conclusion of which the Engineer was In* straoted to direct the Ranger'to visit the locality referred to by Mr Wright. protective works committee. The Protective Works Committee reported having, visited the Ashburton river immediately atnva Digby’s bridge, and at a point in the Wakannt district complained of by Mr Fitzgerald and others. The Committee are of opinion that the apprehensions of the settlers are unfounded, and that the damage alleged or apprehended is in neither case due to the causes assigned. The report was approved of. . ■ Y UNPAID RATER. The Clerk waa directed to soe for ail unpaid rat as in respect to the Wakenai Protective Works.

PAYMENTS. , Accounts amounting to L 2,134 I6s 2dwere passed for payment. SMALL BIRDS NUISANCE. A letter was read from, the Geraldine County Council asking what stops were taken in the Ashburton County to abet* the small birds nuisance, which, in the Geraldine County, in spite of the efforts of the Road Boards, waa year by year assuming more alarming proportions. The Clerk was instructed to reply that the Council was giving la 6d per hundred for heads and eggs, which some Road Boards were supplementing by Is per hundred. IMMIGRATION. The Under-Secretary for Immigration wrote, by direction of the Minuter of Lands, forwarding for the information of the Council copies of regulations which have been issued for the introduction of nominated immigrants and farmers and agriculturists who ■ may be desirous of taking up land in the colony. SETTLEMENT OF ACCOUNTS A letter was read from Mr J. 0. Bell, Clerk to the Mount Somers Road Board, drawing the Council’s attention to the circumstance that two months having elapsed since the creation of the Anama Road Board, without a settlement of acooounts between that Board -and the Mount Somers Board, it devolved opos the County Council under section 6 of lUp ' Road Boards Act 1882, to m*ke the settlement. It was resolved on the motion of Mr Harper, seconded by Mr Walker—“ That Messrs McLean, Jackson, Leadley be appointed a Committee re adjustment of accounts between the Anama and Meant Somers Road Boards, with power to act. PROTECTIVE WORKS CONTRACT. Mr William Sutherland, the contractor for repairing the gap in the bulwanc of the protective works at Wakanui, wrote stating that two days after he had taken np the contract the river had enlarged the gap from about 50ft 1 25 ft to 100 ft x 50ft. The original contract for repairing the bulwark was L 25, but owing to the enlarging of the breach it had cost him L 62 7s, entailing upon him the loss of L 27 7a In view of the circumstances he applied to the Council to make good his loss. The matter was left in tne hands of the Chairman to settle RIVER ENCROACHMENT, A letter was read from the Registrar of the Canterbury College, stating that the ; north branch of the Ashburton is encroaching on reserve 1124, Ashburton Forks, occupied by Mr John O’Shea, and asking if the Council purpose taking steps for its prevention. It was resolved to reply that the Connoil would undertake (he necessary works if the College would provide the funds. HOAD CLOSED. The Mount Hutt Road asked for the Council’s approval of the Board’s inten-v tion to close certain roads. All the visions of the Act had been complied with.—-It was resolved that the toad be closed as requested by the Mount Suit Road Board. MR DIOBY’E CLAIM. The Clerk was instructed to forward a copy of the clause of the Engineer’s report, bearing upon the encroachment of the river, to Mr O- Digby. SLAUGHTERING L CBNBES Slaughtering licenses were granted to . Messrs G. Coward and B. Eds. DOG COLLARS. . It was resolved to invite tenders (or the nansl supply of dog collars for 1886. ‘ ARBITRATION. On the motion of Mr Wright the same Committee appointed on the matter of the Anama and Mount Somers Road Boards were deputed to adjust accounts between - the Longbeaoh and Coldstream Boards. ASHBURTON TRAFFIC BRIDGE. It was resolved that the Bridge Committee meet the Borough Connell end confer as to control of the new traffic bridge and other matters. * TENDERS. The tenders of Turner, L 45 19s 9d, and A. Harvey, L 174 9s 7d for works et Rakaia and Ashburton Gorges were accepted, and the Council adjourned.