ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1522, 1 April 1887, Page 3

ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL

The 'ordinary monthly meeting of the Aahbarton County Council was h:sld at the Council's Chambers, Baring Square, this morning. Present — Messrs vv\ O. Walker (Chairman), o.' J. Harper. D MoLean, B. G. Wright, E. S. Coster and J. Jackson. chairman's statemekt.

The Chairman said: — The Minister of Justice Informs the Council that the Mggestlon of the Council aa to tiiem ia! elections for Licensing Committees will receive the attention of the Uovernment. •-The Town Clerk, Aehburton y writes to ■ay th»t a deputation of the Borough Counoil Intend to wait on the Counci tu«day to arrange the proportion of cost to be paid by each 0 mnoil of repairs to , the Aahburton Traffic Bridge. —The •mount of rates paid to da*e is £4297 He 9d, having £629 13s 7d still ontstanding The difficulty I mentioned at the last ■pedal meeting about the Mount Somera tramway has been satisfactorily ended, and the money can now be obtained as aooa M the special order making the rate is completed. Tenders for the work will be before tbe Council this meeting. Letters from the Mount Somers Road Board, Messrs Brugea, McClymont and Allan on this subjeot will be read.— One ! tender has only been received for leaßinu the Plantation. Reserves, authorised by tht Planting Committee to be'advertised. —441 dog collars have been sold up to date, bringing In revenue to the amount of £106 for 5s dog collars and £57 10s for 10s dog collars I would suggest that » Hat of persons who have registered dogs be furnished to the polioe, and that they be requested to proceed against persons having unregistered dogs m their posses ■ion. — A circular, together with a pamphle has been received from the Hon. the ColoDial Treasurer respecting the proposed Imperial Institute, which will be f laced before the Council today. — The 'roperty Tax Department has paid to the Counoil s credit £845 10s Id on account of subsidies. Particulars are placed on the table as fmnished by Mr Sperrey.— As representing this district I attended the annual meeting of the United Ash burton and Worth Canterbury Charitable Aid Boar<?. for the consideration of Estimates for the year 1887-88, and fixing the amount required from the contributory local authorities. The amount required this year will be £4315, as against £9379 during the past year- This substantial red notion is not caused by a material decrease m expenditure, the estimated expenditure being £18,500 for tbe ensuing year. The reduction is being caused by the United Board beiag m credit on tbe 31st of March £9670. The first estimates of the United Board were m a measure experimental, and have resulted m the above balance to credit, owing to careful management, sundry remissions from Government claims, and other causes. ROUTINE. Rangers No. 1 and 2 reports and dorlei, ~a statement of business done by th« Chairman since last meeting,— a litter from toe Property Tax Department with regard to subsidy were laid on tbe table. engineer's beport. Tbe Engineer reported aa follows : — Auxiliary Water Bupply from Wakanui Creek : The first oontract of works has been completed and the water turned into the main. The second oontract is also on the point of completion, and the connections with the existing branch raoes are being adjusted so that each will be served independently from this main m the course of a few days. There will now be a supply available from this eourca for experimental irrigation, and one of the existing races will have to be •nlarged to the vicinity of whatever site the Counoil may Beleot for the experimental farm. Hampßtead Water Supply : In accordauce with instructions I have gone into this question, and am of opinion that the most eligible source of supply would be from the borough race just as it enters the corner of the Domain ; the route to be along the North East Belt to the High School Reserve, where it would follow round the terrace to Grey itreet at Aitken street, thence to the junction of the South East Town Belt with Wakanui road, from which point it could easily be led all over tbe Hampstead district. An alternative source of supply would be the Wakanui creek where it crosses Creek road, the lit -3 to pass near the briokworks to the North Er^ %f&\, fttkd then"© along the route already described. The mains for both of ther <

schemes would be situated for the most pa : on the belts or dividing line between Ike borough and suburban districts, and as these belts are under the control of the Borough Council, I am of opinion that the works, if nndertaken, Bhould be exeouted by that body, «t leaßJ; to the point on the Wakanui road, from which tbe distribution through tbe fiampßtead district would commence. Tbe works would be of a simple and inexpensive kind, but the amount would depend, to some extent, on the nature of the Borough Council's requirements. The leading of the Water direct from the Wakanui creek along Che South East Belt would be an expensive Srojeot comparatively, as it would involve a tpth of cutting at the Wakanui road of at least 8 feet, and a supply taken from any lower point on the cre«k would Berve only a pait, and that tbe leajt populated portion of tbe Hampatead district. There is now a •mall jstream m Wakanui road east, within m short distance of the Hampstead boundary, but whether that could be made available for thfl Town Board Pistriot is a matter also for tho Borough Council to d'eoide. I presume that the Hampstead Town Board would defray the cost of distribution, provided they obtained a grant sufficient to bring the main to the* upper boundary of their district. Water Supply, lower section, Ashburton For"te: With reference to the petition of Betlerß between Greenstraet and Digby's bridge, I went, at your request, and laid off a race to suit their requirements, and the works are now m hand. The inlet will be immediately behind the groin at the GreenstreetWinohmore crossing. There will be a few light cuttings over the first mile of the race, tnd (he work generally will be of the usual deioription. Blaokford-Redoliffe Road: Mr Leitch is OBking fair progress with the works on No. 1 Contract, Terrible Gully, and No. 2 contract inll be started on Monday next. .Taylor's Greek Improvements ; The works on No. 5 contract have been satisfactorily finished daring the month, and very little remains to be done now to complete the work •long the entire length. Plantations : The ploughing of the unfinished strips will be finished m a few days, Tenders will be placed before you to-day for gorse grubbing m Reserves 1905, 1780, and 1426. The contracts do not include the cutting of fences, but this iB badly wanted m eaoh case.

Plains Water Supply : With the exception 0! a block at the inlet works, caused by flood on 27th March, the mains have been full} supplied during the month, but the maintenance of the distributing races has m no way improver'f. indeed, they are getting gradually worst" through the accumulation of weeds and vegetable growths, which invariably collect at thJB season of the year, but on this oocasion is worse than usual. The shutting off the water will not be indispensable for the clearing of mains, though it would be more advantageous to have it done when opportunity would be afforded at the same time for a more efnoient clearance of the ordinary taoes. In any case the occupiers must be sailed upon thiß month for a special overhaul, and m the event of their failing to execute such during that time the work must be done either at their expense, or otherwise the provisions of the by-laws stringently enforced. —Some improvements are being made on part of P race m order to its carrying a larger supply for the race reoently constructed lor Meßßra Botteriob, Moore, and others. Ashburton Rangitata water supply: .w h the exception of the lower ends of N and N 1 and R and R 1 races the supply for t c month has been pretty well maintained m most instances but has barely reached L.o lower ends of any of them, all through defeature maintenance ; and the same measures must be adopted hero as on the llakaia PlaiL..j. Mount Somers Tramway : Fresh tenders will be placed before you to-day for earth Works m accordance with plans considerably modified by the introduction of sharper curves and steeper gradients etc. Tenders will also be received for two bridges and 9000 sleepers. 2£ob( of the rails have beep delivered at Mount

Somers Station and tenders for the platelaying. might be invited for next meeting of Counoil. If iron snoes are to be provided for rail joints it would be well to have them delivered al by that time. The contraot for ballasting wight also be let at the same time as a separate contraot, or together with the platelaying as the Council might decide. HAMPSTEAD WATKR SUPPLY. The claase m the Engineer's report with reference to a Bupply of water for the Hampßteai District for 6re prevention purpose! was read. The Engineer aaid that to lead the water from either the Borongh Council race, where it entered the Domain, or from the mill race about the vicinity of the brickworks would involve a cost of only about £25 or £30. He understood the Borough Counoil had objections to water beiog taLta from their ra.e, and of courss the mill own.ir would have to be oonsulted before any watar could be taken from the oreek

After a brief discussion 'fc was resolved to forward a copy of the Engineer's report to the Hampatoad Tow a Board and ask them if them they were prepared to defray the cost of the work. PLANTATION FENCES. The question of fences around the Council's plantations was referred to the Plantation dmmittee. WATKB RACE MAINTENANCE. The queetion of the maintenance of water races evoked considerable discussion The recommendation of the Engineer with regard to causing owners or occupiers to o?ear out the races running throuah ther property, failing which the Council should take steps to do the same at their expense, was adopted with an injunction that it be oarried out with the. utmost stringency.

Mr Wright said that thd present water rangers had too large districts to travel over to be able to properly inspect the races, and he indicated hia intention of moving on the subject at next meeting; report • . Reports from the water supply and Planting Oommitties were read and adopted. IREIGATIOV. The Chairman stated that the Irrigation Committee would submit its report afterlunch, j queen's jubilee. Along oircular waa received from the Colonial Treasurer ia regard to the Imperial Institute. Aa the circular had appeared m the newspapers it was taken as read.

4 letter was read from the Aahburton Borough Council offering to oo operate with the County m a local oalebration of the Queen'a Jubilee.

Owing to the indisposition of the Mayor, he was not able to confer with the Council on tl • aub j :ct.

Some conversation with regird to the several schemes of suitably calebrating the event took place. It appeared that unleaß for a batevolant pur. pose of a universal oharaoter the Council would give Us toic« m favor of a looal oelebration.

Tbe majority of the Councillor! seemed doubtful whether the necessary funds tor the establishment of a charitable institution, es had be proposed, would be forthooming.

After some further discussion the matter was postponed till next meeting. NOTICES OF MOTION. Notices of motion for next meeting were given as follows ; — Mr Wright to move " That the present arrangement vrith the water rangers ba terminated and that m lieu thereof one ranger be appointed for the dietrict north of the Ashbuiton and one ranger for the district souih of the Ashburton, each ranker to have charge from the headworks to the sea m hia own district, and that a local ra'ger bo appointtd to inspect the small races m the Forks distrttp. "

Mr J;;ckeoii to move : "That it be a recommendation from the Council to the Govercment aa follows : — With a view to providing a standing system of relief for the unemployed of the colony — Ist That all local bodies ebaU be bound to find work for any applicant, and such workmen to be paid at the rate of not more then 4b per dtiy ; 2nd That the Government shall annually refiund to such local bodies a buui equal to one-half of the whole amount; e pent, m each work." CHARITABLE AID. A circular w«e re*a from the Manloto'o Oounty Council recommending that the present Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act should be afforded a fair trial. This circular had been drawn up because the Bruce County Council some time a^o addressed a letter to the other Cot noils m the colony asking their o operation m the direction of amending the Act so that each county should provide for the indigent pereoriß within its bounarles.

The circular was received. Tbe Btnouat of s£oo on aceoant of charitable aid was passed. BRIDGES. Mr John Grieg wrote with regard to a bridgo at Fiemlngton bad been broken, bub the Council declined to recognise any liability. Mr E. Chapman, Willowby, mada application for a bridge over a race through his property. The matter was referred to Mr Jackson and the Engineer to report on. CLOSED ROAD. The Mount IJutt Road Board were granted permission to sell the land com prised in t a road recently stopped. TENDERS A large number of tenders In oonneo tion with the Mount Somera Tramway were received. The following were accepted : — Earthwork, No. 1 contract. J Brown, £109 Is 8d ; No. 2 contract, A. Barvey, £182 12s 64; No. 3 dontreot, W. J. Silcock, £250 0a 3£d; bridges, W. Stocks, £304; aleepen, T. Nell, 500, 6.^; J. Weber, 1000, 5 d; Oocper Bros, 6100, 7d. It was decided to call tenders for the plate-laving by next meeting. The Chairman, Messrs MoLean and Wright were appointed » Oommittoe to settle any email matters m connection with the work which might ari»e. DEFUTATIOMB A deputation consisting of Messrs D. Williamson and JR. Fried Under, representing tbe Borough Council, wafted on the Council m reference to the share o the cost of maintenance to be contributed by eaoh body. An account for a third of tho coat of repairs recently exeouted had been sent to the Borough Council and as uecUon 88 of the Publio Works Act of 1882 set forth that suoh contributions should be according to rateable v due, the Council wan of opinion that if paid on any other boala It would be illegally voting the money. After a oonsallation with the deputation, the OouQoil deferred consideration of the matter.

Mr D. Brown, manager of the Canter* bury Millp, waited on the Council asking It to appoint a Committee to confer with the fior. u?h Council and the mill owner on the subject of the maintenance of the mill race. Che expense was now borne V>y the mill owner and the Borou: b Council. The cost was not much, tin' Borough's contribution not exceeding £20 ler annum It was only fair to aak the Council to contribute, as it was utilizing the water which w»3 brought down the raoa ,

The Council decided that Messrs McLean and Wright, nh-uld be appointed a Committee to confer with the Ashburton Borough Council and Mr Turner regarding the nest of maintaining the intake of the race and to report to next meeting of the Council.

Mr S Wright waited on the Council u^kinp it to declare a drain between hie and Mr M, Wllßona properties a pnbllo d'nin. He stated that at present Mr Wilson precluded him from leading the Btoim water off his la- d Into the drain, whereby he was subjected to much inconvenience. [Left; Sitting.]