ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1308, 6 August 1886, Page 3

ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL

The usual monthly meeting of the Ashburton County Conner was held at the Curcil Chambers to-day. Present— Messrs C J. Harper (in the chaw), J. Jackson, B, R. Coster, and E. G. Wright. not TINE. The minutes of tho last meeting were read and confirmed. A statement of the business done by the Chairmen since last meeting, and the Rangers’ reports and diaries were laid on the table. chairman's statement. The Chairman said .—I have been requested tc apologise for the unavoidable absence »f Mr D. McLean. The vote for ( poisoned grain has been spent, and the - grain prepared distributed as fairly as ( possible all over the county. I have received, however, numerous applications c for this grain from persons who have not i as yet had any, and I should like the a Council to consider to-day the advisability j of preparing a further quantity to meet b these applications. The Ashburton Agricultural an! Pastoral Association has b forwarded a copy of a resolution passed p If anrro-Acfin tr VIOXeH OF troughs COn- 5

by it, suggesting ooxea or irouguu containing boxes or troughs containing poisoned grain being placed in the plantations, and thereby saving a waste which is said to exist by scattering the grain on the roads. A copy of the Rabbit Inspector’s report to fhe Government, respecting the rabbit pest in this county is placed on the table for the Council’s peiusal. The Inspector also brings under the Council’s attention that rabbits exist in the plantations under tho Council’s control, and asks that steps may be taken to abate this nuisance. Meetings of ratepayers have been held by Messrs Coster and Leadley, in Nos 1 and 2 proposed i rig ifcmn districts, to discuss the scheme, 't he Ifiolntions passed at these meetings will be read to-day. I might say with refor enoe to this matter that tho Geraldine Connty Council has acknowleged wifi thank* tho copies of the Irrigation Committee’s report sent to them, and congratulated this Council on the completeness and economy of the scheme. That j body also asked for farther copies of the report, which I sent them. I received WolL'a r ft nnnv nf the Counties

from Mr Walker a copy ot me nominee Bill as it had passed the House of Representatives, which he asked me to look over. This I did, and farwarded to him a few suggestions which I thought might prove useful if embodied. &s time was pressing I had not an opportunity of referring the Bill to any of the other members for their suggestions. At the reunrst of Mr March I consented to a meeting being held in the Council room of persons interested in the village allotment scheme, at which meeting he explained the conditions. The Commissioner of Crown Lands informes me that the excess fund insutvey of Rtseive 1122 oannot be obtained for a read at Digby’s Bridge, at the reserve being Crown granted to the School Commissioners the excess *s pari of their proierly.A special meeting will be held after this meeting to strike tho general rate required to pay off the overdraft. The wmount cf £B3B lls 3d has been paid on account of water charges, leaving £55 8s 9d outstanding. Correspondence from the Sydenham and Rangiora Borough Councils, regarding storm water through their reserves, will be read to-day I wonid suggest that a standing Committee be appoin'ed to deal with this question The Christchurch Charitable Aid Board has applied for payment of tic Council’s subsidy As that Board has agreed to the Council’s suggestion of the subsidy in

quarterly instalments, one instalment might to-day be passed for payment if the Council wishes it. The Council has no doubt noticed that Mr Walker’s motion in Parliament to form this county into a separate Chrritable Aid District was rejected by two votes only. The Council ap.oa with me that Mr Walker deserves the thanks ot the Counei, Xui endeavors to bring to a satisfactory issue 1 the Council’s wishes in this matte r. RABBIT NUISANCE. A report by the Sheep and Rabbit Inspec*or open tne rabbit nuisance in the county was read. Mr Wright said he thought the Inspector fchad over-estimated the number of rabbits in the district. He (Mr Wright) had recently travelled through most of the country reported upon by the Inspector, and had not seen more than

one ot two rabbits. He suggested that the water-rangers should inspect the county referred to and furnish a report to the Council on the sn' ject. No doubt the Inspector bad performed his duty in a very propar manner, but h:s professional instincts might have led him to magnify the danger. The Chairman approved of the sug gettion made by Mr Wright, and agreed that the Inspector bad only done his dn'y in calling the attention of the Council to the presence of rabbits In the distric*. Mr Jackson said the rabbits in the aammlbh (a Kw tVs o Tn&itofifny

country referred to by the inspector were more formidable that the previous speakers appeared to think. It was'resolved to direct tho Water Bangers to report upon the matter. bkg nber’s bttoex. The Engineer’s report was read as follows ; Ashburton Gorge road—Mr Carleton is still making satisfactory progress with the earthwork and gravelling in the Stour River district, and will complete bis contract within a fortnight from this date. Rakaia Gorge road—The work of widening several points of the south approach has now been completed, and the road is passable throughout. Blackford-BedcliSe road The work on this road is still progressing but slowly, and the contractor must be urged on to greater expedition. The total work on this road remaining to be let,'.can be included in one contract. Blackford Mountain track —The contractor lor bridge has, not yet, gone up to undertake the erection of it, but it will, I expect,

be in position in ten days. Willow Planting Pudding Hill—The small i: ems of willow planting near North Ashburton Bridge have been satisfactorily completed. Willow Planting Ashburton Traffic Bridge —I have arranged for the small flood-bank and planting at north approach. The Railway Department is to give the willows. Mr Bealy has, at bis cwn cost, planted up the porpfer on lower side of north approach, pud he would also plant the flat on opposite side, il the Council would provide the five or six chains of fencing which would be necessary. Flood Channel near Morris’s—The fencing pf this channel was 'completed about two weeks ago. Flood Drains, Lower Wakanui—l have prepared specifications, sections, &e., for the authorised works jn -connection with theae firming, " and tenders for the same, in three contracts, will be placed before you to-day. With reference to tho outfall at Christie’s

Road it may be found advisable to extend the outlet a few chains further than shown, but If bo, the expense will be inconsiderable. Flood Water, Lyndhnret—l have along with the members for the riding, and others, accompanied the Mayor of Rangiora and Mr Allison, as representing the Sydenham Borough Council, over the ground to confer as to the question of flood-water which passes through the Rangiora and Sydenham Borough reserves in that locality. As this_ matter will be brought up to-day in considering the correspondence I need not.referto it further at

present. Upper Bangitata Traffic Bridge—Tbo «• Gleaner,” with the kauri decking, haa just arrived at Tiroara, ajjd thp work of renewal of planking will be started forthwith. The onderstracture of the extension would be all the better for two coata of tar, and ironwork screwed up tight. The] coat would be about £55. Tarring and painting other bridges—l estimate the cost as follows, understructure to receive two eoats of tar, and superstructure two coats of paint:— , „„„ 1. Worih Ashburton bridge, at Ihgby’s £9O 8. North Ashburton bridge, Pudding Bill 125 Xaylor’B Stream bridge ♦. »» 60

4. South Ashburton bridge, Mount Somers 100 jNo. 3 having been constructed for the most part of . native timber, is more liable to decay than the others. Now that the railway is on the point of completion to the township of Mount Somers, the road bridge theraiwill hereafter be seldom used.

Plains Water Supply—This has been wellmaintained during the month, with an abundant supply in all the races. Several repairs, etc., at road crossings have been effected recently. Generally speaking the work constructed by private individuals is the most difficult to maintain, but there is only;a small proportion of such races. Ashburton Bangitata Water Supply—Proposed branch race, Winslow—This work is at present in abeyance tilt the petitioners provide funds. Some of them still refuse to contribute. The water race in Shepherd’s Bush district, lor Messrs Ballantyne and others, will be put in band in a few days. Maintenance contract—The contractor has during the month gone over many of the more defective portions, but P 3 race, and also part of P2, are insufficiently done, also part of B, S, and O, the latter near Yaletta Deing still full of weeds. Irrigation—Several meetings of ratepayers laving been held to discuss this question, I prepared the necessary plans, &a., and

tuc ucccDßSij u.utf auu attended at Ghertsey, Newlands, Kyle, aid South Bakaia, to explain the details of the scheme. Those members of the Council who were present at these meetings'will, I presume, make a statement on the subject to-day. The resolutions passed at these meeting, and to be presented to the Council to-day, may afford some indication as to what further steps should be taken. With refence to the opinion expressed by several of the settlors that some experiment on a comparatively small scale should Jbe undertaken during the time the other initiatory steps are in progress, I would suggest that, if the Council should entertain the proposal of an experiment at all, the auxiliary race previously proposed for the Seafield district leading off from Wakanui creek opposite Fairfied Estate might bo initiated with that view, to irrigate any suitable section or sections, if such could be readily obtained within a short distance of the inlet. Gusging streams east of railway, between Ashburton and Bangitata rivers—l have arranged so far for .carrying out this work, and will present the first record of same at next meeting cf the Council.

ii"&v mcbciug ci iQo v^QuLicii* That part of the Engineers report referr ing to tho Blackford-Redcliffa road wae approved of. riiINTISGj ASHBURTON TRAFFIC BRIDGE. ?Jr Wright was authorised to arrange for fenc rig (for plantatioa at west aide of scßh approach to Ashbnron bridge. BRIDGE PAINTING. It vas resolved to have bridges detailed by Engineer tarred only* At this stage Mr G. u'. Leadley tooi his seat at the Oooncl' table. EANOITATA WATER SUPPLY The contracts for the ma n e iance of the K<nritata wat»r supply preaintod a memorial from a number of ratepayers m the Uangitata district, testifying that he had discharged his con fact iu a rathfactory manner The cor tractor also applied fur additional payment in c mnectiou with the work. A letter w;s read from Mr Dellow testifying to the efficient - manner in which the races had been maintained, and suggesting that the contract system should be continued. It was resolved to refund the contractors deposit, and consideration of the application for additional payment was deferred. IBBIGAII N A letter waa read from MrLill, enclosing copies cf resolutions with regard to the irrigation proposals of the Council adopted by a meeting of ratepayers at Kyle. Mr Leadley reported proceedings at meet ngs of ratepayers hold at Nssrlands and Kyle Mr Costor reputed with regard t > similar meetings at Chottsey and Rakaia. (Reports of these meetings have already been published in our columns ) Mr Lssdley sa'd that owing to insuffie’ent notice there was n>t a very large attendance at the Kvle meeting, tut nearly all the leadl ig v.’iderVc »n the locality weie present. There appeared to deal of serenes* in that district with regSrd to the insufficiency of the present water supply, and some fear as to the ultimate result of the undertaking. He thought, however, that petitions praying for the constitution of irrigation districts might now be circulated in Nos 1 and 2 districts. Tee ratepayers understood the scheme, and a majority, he thought, were favorable to its ©xecatln. After some desultory discussion, Mr Wright poin ed out that it would be unfair to allow village settlers and small holders to exercise the same voting powers as farmers and others with larger interests. He quoted the result of the vote taken In connection with the con struction cf the Rakaia and Ashburton Forks Railway : s illustrating the power of simll holders to out-vote and InfllH a considerable Injustice upon larger holders. Mr Coster and Mr Jackson agreed with Mr Wright, but Mr Leadley thought the small holdeis were especially interested In the irrigation scheme. On the motion of Mr Jackson, seconded by Mr Wright, it was resolved “ That Government townships and village allotments be excluded from Irrigation districts.” PAYMENTS. The usual monthly accounts were passed for payment. POISONED GRAIN. Mr G. W. Leadley said a great many complaints hal been circulated as to the utter Imffioiency of the poisoned grain suppliad by the Council to ratepayers Ho would like to know w'lethor the supply was contracted for or suppl e 1 by private arrangement. The Chaliman said he had been authorised to have the poisoned gram prepared. Grain supplied by Mr Neale during tho previous year was so satisfactory, that he (the Ch Iraja <) ■ n rusti d that gentleman with the preparation of the grain. In his (the Chairman’s) district the result had been most satisfactory. Thousands cf birds were destroyed. Mr Wright suggested that ih* difficulty should be overcome by the Coined providing the material and employing a man to prepare it. He had not seen many dead biHs about, but several of h ■ (Mr Wright’s) p'geona had been destnyed by the gram, Ibe Chairman road a letter addressed by the Director of the Agricultural College to Air l*aao Sargent, atatrig t v at a sample of the grain submitted appeared to be strong y Imp-egmtad with poison and was or© of the best h« had seen The Chairman laid a numbr of letters on the table testifying thit the grain supplied by the Council was ve-y effective. Mr Leadly said some cf the grain a ipplicd wjs utterly useless, One farmer had kept fowls shut up and fed entirely on the grain alleged to bo poisoned and the birds throve remarkably well He (Mr Leadly) ould give names and facts in support of his statement. After soma further discussion it was resolved “ That the payment to Mr Nea’e be withheld until the Council be satisfied as to tho strength of the lohoned grain supplied to ratepayers. ” MAINTENANCB CONTRACTOR. It wes resolved—“ That theque tlon ol the further | ngagera-nt cf the Msinten ance Contrccor stand over over until nexl meeting ; the contractor to continue a* the same rate for another month, and that a month’s pay for work done be made t( him.” WATER SUBTLY. I' was proposed by Mr Wright, seconded by Mr Leadly, and carried, “That tbi 1 clerk be instructed to prepare a list of al water races, which have been grantee ’ provlsona'ly, the Council having reserved . the right, of closing themjshould the supply of water be found Insufficient to fill tin I races eastward of the railway line.” i The council adj urned at | p.jn, anti » 3 jmb. [Left sitting-]