ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1598, 1 July 1887, Page 3

ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL

The ordinary monthly meeting of tbe Ashbnrton County Council was held today. Present : Messrs W. C. Walkei (chairman), E. G. Wright.. E. S. Coster, J. Jackson, Leadley, C. J. Harper.

chaibman's statement. The Chairman eaid :— The Jlount Hutt Boad Board has informed tho C uncil that it can havr the material of the old bridge over Chapman's Creek for the new bridge to te erected over that creek, as decided on by this Council. — A resolution from the Mount Hntt Road Board referring to an alleged nuisance from a slaughter yard will be read ; slbo the Inspector of Slaughterhouses report on this subject — A letter from the Coldstream Road Board asking the Council to direct whioh Road Board is to have control of the boundary roid between the Longbeach and Coldstream BoaoUMstrlots will be placed before

4&e Council, also two other communicafeoaa from that Board relating to the .subsidy claimed by the Council for that district, and the non-fulfilment of part of the award made by the Council between the Longbeach and Coldstream Road Boards by the Longbeach Road Board. — The Mount Somere Road Board asks the • Council to contribute towards putting m repair the road from the north ABhbu^ton bridge to the Mount Somere railway station, and" states their reason for so applying.— The amount of rates paid to date is £4721 8s lOd, leaving £205 16a 63 outstanding. — Letter from the Wakanui Read Board, enclosing a copy of a letter from Mr P. Stewart a8 to the covering of shingle, m Leadley's Road by clay taken out of a dra ; n by the CocnoH's contractor will be read. — Mr feilcock, one of the contractors for the Mount Somers tramway, has brought under the Council's attention an omission he has made m his tender, and asks the Council to consider the same.— The Borough Council baß forwarded its thanks to this Council for the action taken as to the appointment of an Inspector of Weights and Measures.

BOTJUHB

A camber of documents were laid on .the table

kkginesb's bbtort.

Bnv— l have the honor to report as (ol lows:— .-■■'.

v Mount Somers Tramway.— The earthwork contractors have been much Relayed by bad weather, and have not been able to work more than half time during the month, the consequence is that none of them have quite "completed their contracts, but Nos. 1 and 2 . are just on the point of completion, and, given -good weather, No. 3 would also be finished m '7 or 8 days. The bridges over Deep Creek and Woolshed Creek have been satisfactorily Completed; - Last week I pegged off and prepared working section on the line of junction at Mount Somers Station, according , to the revised plan approved by the Bailway Departments Since then the ground has been under jnow. and water, but I believe the earthwork contractor is now at work finishing the formation there. Mr Stocks will start the rail laying next week, and as the formation will tte finished from beginning to end, there will be no obstacle connected with the line to 'prevent rapid progress, and the work will proceed m at least two sections. Sleepere have now been provided at Mount Somers for about 8 miles ot the tramway, and farther quantities have been prepared m the bush. The rate of supply was considerably diminished during the wet weather, but the contractors are going vigorously to work again, and will eaoh, I anticipate, produce; their respective quota as soon as they will be required. Mr Beid is also prepared to forward at once a considerable quantity of spikes. By next meeting I shall be able to determine the exact amount available for ballasting. It will apparently be very small, and tenders for that could be called a month hence.

Blackford Bedoliffe Boad.— The two contracts m the vicinity of Terrible Gully may now be said to be finished, but will not be finally, inspected till next week. Some Blips occurred after the formation was completed,

which had to be removed. By the com- [ pletion 6t these works a dray road is now b l vailableiis far as Bedcliffe, and the amount >< f £300 expended by the Council will have to ti be refunded by Government, I - Plains Water Supply.— The P races were y shut off during part of the month and most n of thftm were pretty well eleaied oat during that time. The farther work remaining to be 0 ione oan be undertaken with the water m the « rteeß and several are still at work getting fhii done. — The contraotcr has notyet started the work of enlarging race to Irrigation farm ■ bat he wrote to say that he will do co m a ' few. daya-— "With reference to the proposed < deviation of 0 race at Lindhurßt, I find it i would return to existing race at a point < higher up than that at which the service pipe to K.B. ?8276 is taken off.— As the | Committee's sanction was dependent on this | condition, the deviation? can now be carried Ashburton-Rangitata Water Supply!— The faces m this district with few exceptions are not at all m good order. In about ten days , the water will be shut off these races is ■ fetation for purposes of overhaul, same ac was done on Bakaia plains, when occupiers will hare the opportunity, which they say they are waiting for, of clearing out the noes thoroughly. By tLis means the supply m the lower 'portions of N raoe shou'd be testored, but I do not anticipate that the lower, end of B race and branches will be adequately supplied during the dry period of the year till the main from the South Ashburton river is enlarged, at least to some extent.— The main for Wheatstone district has been shut off for the winter, as the supply m the natural creek is now ample for (he purpose. Upper Bangitata Bridge.— The repairs to crate on south bank ot the rivet will I expert be finished m ten days. County Bridges. — Some minor repairs have been exeouted during the month. The supply of new planking has not yet arrived. Irrigation Farm. — The ploughing will be finished m a few days. Tee recent wet weather prevented the work being done Booner. Guaging Streams. — I have completed the record for two months ending 30th June and will hereafter inolude m the list the branches of the Aflhburton river. MOUNT LOWERS TRAMWAY. The Ohrtrman wai authorised to call fdr tenders for ballasting, the tenders to be In by next meeting. WATEB-BANG3BB. Mr Wright, for the Water Supply Committee, read the conditions* whioh had been drawn up by tbat Committee to regulate the duties of the water-rangers. The Chairman said that as ho had beeD absent from the two previous meetings, and therefore h d had no opportunity of expressing his views upon the new departure resolved upon by the CourcU m regard to the water-rangers, he wished to make a few remarks now. He did not think the now system would work at all well. The Council's present rangers had Always endeavored to perform their dutieß fi/thfully ond efficiently and if they had ooefftiqnaVy ovw looked small matters that was by rearon of their not having time to attend to them. Be thought the now •ystem would be found unpractlcable becanra the ranger propos- i to hive oharge of the district north of the Aihburton would have such an enormous amount of work, that even were it possible for him to Veep about for twenty-fonr honre • day he could not efficiently look after the diitrict under his charge.

Mr Jacfeton endorsed the remarks of the Chairman, and referred to the matter as having been rushed through the OonncU.

Mr Wright denied that members had not had fair notice, becaosa notice of motion on the eubjeot had been given on May 6. Mr Harper thought that the bearing of the motion had been perfectly understood by every member of the Council, the matter having been thoroughly dlsoossed. Be was of opinion that a re-arrangemeat of the daties of the water rangers was neoessary, and he thought it very desirable that each ranger should have charge of the headwoika inhiaovrn district.

Mr Wright said that the pres nt system of rangers' duties was unsatisfactory, and that proposed would tend to the efficient maintenance of the service. He was of opinion that one naan could look after the

races and head works on the South eide of the river very well ; if it appeared that a second man was necessary for tho North side of the river—but he was certain that it would not be so — let him be appointed, and let it be a charge on the district b?nefitted. He had just received a mem •> an^ dum from one of the rangers ; who stated that he thought the system proposed far preferable to tho one now m force. That was tho best testimony that could bo l:ad m favur of the departure proposed to bo taken. The report was adopted . APOLOGY,

An apology for non-attendance was vcreived from Mr D. MoLean.

PAYMENTS.

The usual monthly accounts were parsed for payment.

BII AT7GHTE RHOUBB,

The Amount Hutt Road Board wrote, enclosing the following resolution.-— "That the attention of the Oou ity Council be at once drawn to the dange ous proximity of tie water-race to a cesspit of the slaughteryard at Methven, cni that they be asked to take Bteps to ci her move the water-race to a safe diß'»<;ce from the slaughteryard or cause the removal of the slaughterhouse and aocev aorlee, as this Board is of opinion lhat the above nuisance is the most probable cause of the late mortality m the neigh borhood."

The Inspector of Slaughterhouses submitted a report, m accordance with *he request of the Council ai followH :■—" In reference to your letter of June 13, forwarding a resolution of tbo Mount Hutt Road Board re a oeßspit and the blanghterhonae and yard at Methven polluting the water-raco, and asking to have the race moved to a eafo distance, or the slaughterhouse shifted, I have the honor to report for your Information tint tbe cesßpij 1b an old well about 40 or 60 feet deep and It receives all the drainage from the slaughterhouse and the greater portion from the piggeries and has bet>ri fall for come little time past, but it doe 3 not overflow, aud as the top of the well is above tho level of the w»ter-raoe that runs In an old water-course, which Is distant about 35 or 40 feet, the surplus the well receives must percolate through the soil and no doabt some of the flald matter must find its way into the water race and eb does some cf the drainage from the b cV of the pfg Btlep. There is. also a quan'iy of old bones, sheeps heads eto, piled up close to the race whioh will also drx'n towards it. Tbe slaughterhouse and y.ud were very clean, but the piggeries dirty, I have directed Mr Baker to at o?ic> remove all the bones and that they mine i not be allowed to accumulate again und a!s3 to fill up the well and he is qu 3 willing to go to any expense or do a ythiug that may be required to prevent any nuisance or keep the water from being polluted, but as the slaughterhouse and yard are on a bank a few feet abo c the water race, I am of opinion thai i. would be better to shift the race or rather divert it and bring it on to ihroad some little distanoe above where > r e slaughterhouse and yard are situated. ;-i no matter what is done to the yard bciu -i, surplus drainage must find its way i:< o the rao-3.

Mr E. R. Deacon, of Chrlatohurch, agent for Mr Morgan, telegraphed that ha understood (hat It was suggested that th.V OouecU should divert the water-rco from Morgan's properly, and he asked for an opportanfty of objecting. Mr Deacon was not m attendance.

A lone oorvereatibnal tffgoaealon i>r. sued. The Council was unanimously of opinion that it was imperative that act; •; should as speedily as possible be taken j.i the matter.

It waa resolved, on the motion cf \fWriijLt, seconded by Mr Coster, ' T» ' the owner of slanghteryard receive no c.;.

to remove the aame, and m default ihe - >T legal proceedings bs taken under : p c.

[on 10 subsection X of the Wa

Rice bylaws and that no lioanae m fulm^ will be granted as lone as the slaughter yard remains where It is." It wa3 further resolve 3, on the mot'oti of Mr Jacksou, seconded by Mr Cosier, "That the water-race at Methven ha moved forthwith on to higher ground * ) as to clear the slaughterhouse on a high, -■ level than the said slaughteryard as r - commended by the toipcptor, suoh arrangement to be at the coat bf the owuo* of slaughterhouse " v . .

It is not the intention cf the Council to give effeot to both the foregoing res' 'utlons, one being alternative to the otr er.

VTAKAHDI PROTECTIVE WORKS

Mr Wright read the report of *he £ Wakanui Protective Committee as .allows : — Your Committee visited the v locality of tfcese works on the 7th June, vj by appointment to meet the members of tbe.Wakanui I*oad Board with a view to ]. a joint inspection of the protective works, j and di&cussion of (he proposal made by the Road Board to extend .the main groin with a -view 'to tile Yo-opening cf the river road. Having given the subject full consideration, your Committee have to report that m their opinion the main eroin has effectually diverted the main stream of the Ashburton from the threatened • point of oversow and therefore Ihey do not feel justi6;d m recoramending the ratepayers to rvso a further loan (T to incur any additional outlay frr he purpose of extending the said groin . They are also of opinion that tho site of the old river road (where it was dcslroyed) is now sufficiently protected by the m n'n groin to enable the Road Board to re-open tho said road for traffic by the expendi ture of a small sum from the ordinary funds of the Board. BAI«JITATA KOAD STOPPAGE Extension of time for the purpose of bringing up their report was granted t the Committee which had been appoints \ to consider this subjeot A GOOD WOKK Mr McMillan waited on the Gcnnc'l m regard to the appointment of wale> rangers, and nrged reasons why the pre ( n . rangars, or at any rate one cf the .>,. should be re-appointed. The Oouac ! i assured Mr McMillan lh other things being r qual preference w v .' be given to old rervsnts of the Oon ii', when appointments were being nude. HIVJSE BNOROACHME^X. Mr T>. F Izgerald, Wakanul, waited n the Council and asked that comethmight be done In the way of protec ng his property from the enbroaohment c the river. The river was Impinging on hie land and, as he had been put to considerable loss, he asked that the Cor* cil should give him some willows and ? o < the stream into an old channel by m< a .s of ploughing and scooping. It was pointed out that the Council had already spent out of ita general funds £980 m the locality. It was decided to give Mr Fitzgerald the willows he asked for. Mr S Brown also waited on the Council m regard to river encroachment at W akanui . He said that during the ref ent floods he had, by means of gorse fascines, etc , prevented a great deal of damrge being done, and he asked that the Cougc'l sheuld have some iron pipes driven m, to hold tho gorse m position. It was explained to Mr Brown that Ihe Council had alrendy spent a huge amount Of money m addition to the special loao for protective purposes, and therafore could not Bee its way clear to encroach further on the general fund of the County for this purpose. COAIi MINES. Mr McOiimant waited on the Cor noil and asked that a branch from the Mount Somere Tramway might be constructed to the coal measures on his property. Mr MoCllmont was informed ihat the agreement made pwylded for .the brnnoh ask°.d for by him ton>e made as soon as he * satisfied the Counoll that the coal on h'l 3 » pfopef ty was workable,

f .■■•■■■ BO 18. CONTROL . 1 The 0- ldetream Road Board tr&ed the 1 Council to determine m which body t should be vested the control of the Bonn- , dary road between the Longbeach and - Ooldstream Boad District?. - It was decided to take the preliminary i steps as set forth m tbe Pablic Worka r Act, 1882 b AN UNSATISFIFD CLAIM. I The Ooldftream Road Board wrote > statins that part of the terms of tbo 1 award made by the Council on the separation of that Road Di.trick from the Longbeach Road District, had not been ■ carried but. The Longbeach Road Board had not made the payment on account of the share awarded Colds tream of the Road Bo .rd Office Reserve and the building thereon The Ooldstream Road Board therefore desired that tho County Council would oanse fie said property t 1 ba sold and the prooeeda paid over to the two Boardu m proportion to their interest therein as already determined by th»Council. After sme diioußgion it watt decided to refer the matter to the OouuoHV Solicitor for his opinion. A BEQUEST. The Mount Somors Road Board wrote Bik ( n£ the Counsel to contribute towardi the ooßt of putting m repair the road from the North Aahburton Bridge to the Mount S(.m?rs Railway Station. The Board pointed out that the Road In question was a m tin thoroughfare between the Rangltata portion of the county and the Methven portioD, consequently the expense of maintaining it was more than the r&tes could accomplish. After a long discussion further consideration was deferred till next meeting. AN OMISSION. Mr Silcock wrote m regard to an omission he had made m his tender for No 3 contract, Mount Somers tr mway. It was decided to allow tho amount m question— £B 16s. BKI' GE. Mr C. C. Fcokß, on behalf of the Longbeach Road Board, waited on the Council m regard to the repair of a bridge m the Longbeach district. The bridge m qnesth n was that over the Wheat at one drain and M< Fooko stated that it was originally ereoced by the Council. w The Engineer was instructed to report as to co3t. CLAT ON ROAD. The Wakanui Road Board wrote forwarding a copy of a complaint by Mr P. Stewart, having reference to the covering of shingle on Loadley'a Road by clay taken out of a. drain by the Council's contractor. The Engineer reported that -there was little ground for complaint, and it was resolved to reply m accordance therewith. CffARITABLE AID, I', The Charitable Aid Board wrote requesting payment of the balanoe o? the Contribution due, £666 2s sd. Matter deferred till next meeting, WATER BADGERS , Forty-two applications were received for tbe post of water rangorß (two). The applications were roferred to a committee consisting of the Chairman, Messrs Harper aud Lcadley with power to make selections. MOUNT EOMKRS IBAMWAY, -; The tender of B. F. "Wright for the lease of tbe Monnt Somers tramway at £210 per annum for 14 years was accepted .

The OounoiT then adjourned.