ASHBUKTON COUNTY COUNCIL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1653, 3 September 1887, Page 3

ASHBUKTON COUNTY COUNCIL

■ -•' ■ ■•■■-• — ♦— The ordinary monthlj meetiDg of the Aahburton County Council was held at the Chambers, Baring Square, yesterday. Present— Messrs W. O. Walker (chairman), D. MoLean, G. W. Leadley, K. S, Coster, J. Jackaon, C. J. Harper. chaibman's statement. The Chairman said— Mr Hawdon reports that he has replaced, as agreed on, the trees j destroyed by fire m the plantation. Ab authorised by the Council I have arranged for the supervision of the Mount {tamers Water Supply by the appointment of i Mr £. B. Cooper, Clerk of the Mount Homers Boad Board, as ranger, at a salary of £10 per annum. The Commissioner of Property Tax informs the Council of the payment of £239 4a 3d and £483 5s 5d on aocount of subsidies, particular* of these payments are placed on the table fer the inspection of the Counoil. The Geraldine County Council writes to Ray that it concurs with this Council's Engineer's report re repairs to the groin south side of the Bangitata Traffic Bridge, and forwards copy of Messrs Meason and ifarcJhant's report on the enoroaohment of the Bangitata river, for the consideration of this Council. The brand book has been sent to the Inspector of Sheep Offioe, Christchuroh, to be revised, and has been returned duly corrected ft) date, I have accepted Mr Hughes' tender for the tolleotion of the small amount of outstanding rates, and he has been authorised tc eouect the same. A letter from Mr Peter, Auama, referring to the damage complained of by him by the water race, mil be read at thiß meeting. The Committee appointed to inspect Digby'c Bridge, has visited the bridge since last meeting, and will present its report at thii •Meting EOtJTINB. A number ef documents of a routine nature were laid on the table. SKCHNBEB'S REPORT. The Engineer reported as follows : — Plains Water Supply : The supply m this distrust has been fairly maintained during the month, except that portion of E 10 race, through the suburban allotments and township of Bakaia, which has been subject to continual interruptions from the falling m ■nd treading of the race, to prevent which almost daily supervision would be necessary. The race aloßg the street lines requires improvement m several places. — The enlargement of F race to th.c Irrigation Farm is m progress, and will be completed next week. The owners of B.S. 22486 refused to allow the contractor to do the work through that Motion, on the plea that while they were quite willing that the race should be enlarged to any extent for the purpose of a drinking ■apply, they would not allow it to pass through lor the use of the Council's experimental Irrigation Farm, nnless they were them themselves allowed to nse the water when they required it for irrigation purposes, As the Counoil were not likely to delegate the control of the water to them, I arranged with the Chairman's permission to have the race made en the road line there, to save time and trouble, though the Council could otherwise hive enlarged the race as they saw fit. . Aahburton-Bangitata Water Supply: The mains from South Ashburton river are now being thoroughly overhauled, and for this purpose the water has recently been shut off irom them, and at the same time some of the occupiers have cleared the distributing races. It appears, however, that no appreciable improvement has been effected over more than about one-third of the extent of these races. By next month, however, I hope to be able to present a more favorable report on the condition of the races m this district.— For next meeting tenders might be called for the works of the proposed auxiliary supply from tmall stream near Mont alto. This work was previously authorised, but was postponed till spring, so as better to suit the getting m Of the concrete work. — You will observe the ranger for this district asks the Oounoil for the use of 5 acre Reserve, on which he proposes to erect a room for himself, as he iB enable to find a residence at any other confenient place. Flood Water, Wakanni Flat : With reference to the petition on this subjeot which the Counoil asked me to report on, I have visited the district, and now append map Showing the natural fall for outflow from the river, and for flood water generally m that dißtriot, as well as the diversions which take place more or Icbs on the occurrence of every flood through these waters being delected by fence lines and road out of their natural course. In fact, Wilson's road is converted into a huge Btorm water ohannel for conveying all the water which should discharge into the gully or natural watercourse from B.S. 14869 downwards, Heavy damage is thus occasioned to said road line along its whole extent, and to every settler m its vicinity. All the surface water coming on to Wilson's road to the north of Clephane's Should pass into said big gully at L.S. 14869, and for that purpose the road and fences should be opened up at the points marked respectively A B and C, and capacious fords made at each. The diversion of flood water by the fence line between B.S. 7796 and 7797 haß been the means of denuding a large - area of the adjoining property belonging to Mr Meredith Wilson, and a passage for the natural flow should also be made m that fence line at the point indicated. It appears to me . m the general interests of the diatriot, the Counoil should take steps to insist on the fence lines bsing opened up and flood gates erected at the points mentioned, and the Boad Board would no doubt make the necessary fords. During excessive floodß an overflow of the river withont a large outlay is ftlmoßt inevitable, and the plan referred to is, m my opinion, the only one which will prove equitable, and be the means of reducing the damages to a minimum. North Weßt Approach Biver Bridge at Digby's: The Committee appointed to deal with this matter will send m their report today. Inlet Ashburton Mill Eace: Haviug examined the present mode of leading water from the river into thiß mill race, it appears to me to be the only feasible arrangement m the circumstances, and it is not calculated to interfere with the general condition of the banks of the river. The supply is taken from the stream near the north bank, which stream is lower than the general level of the riverbed and the temporary embankment of sand bags, which is not higher than that level, serves to turn m only the comparatively small supply required for the mill raoe. The ease would be different if a barrier sufficiently Strong to resist floods were raised across any considerable portion of the riverbed and above the general level of it. Tenders: Tenders will be placed before yon today for cleaning out Wheatstone main drain, and for fencing Plantation Beserve 5673. Plantations : The ploughing of 25 acres of Plantation Eeserve No. has been completed, but not to speoified depth.. The ground was very strong. The contractor for planting is now filling up the blanks m plantations where trees failed. There has been some cattle trespass lately m Plantation Beserve 1775, which the poundkeeper has attended to. That plantation would require thinning soon. Mount Bomers Tramway: The contractor is making fair progress with the rail laying, 4 miles of which is almost completed. Blaokford Bedcliffe Boad : As requested, I went with Mr Jackson and Mr Coster over the line of this road, to inspect the damage done by storm water, daring the heavy flood which ocoured on 7th July last, and the Chief Surveyor, who,' on behalf of Government had to paes the works done, also accompanied us. He has certified for the amount spent under last vote of £300. The amount required for repairing the breaches on the various portions of the road, and making it fairly passable throughout, may be set down at £100. Upper Bangitata Bridge : With reference to the boulder protective, work which I suggested m the vicinity of the bridge on the south bank of the river, it appears the work which the Geraldine Council had some time ago proposed would be situated censiderablj higher up the river, and would be more oi the nature of a general system of protection lor the river banks and distriot, than for the bridge specially. I do not think that the Council should defray the cost of any workc m the Geraldine County so far from the bridge, and the Geraldine Counoil apparent!; had no intention of asking this Council to dc * Minor Works : Several minor works have been executed during the month, such as con struofaon of creek bridge at Drayton, repain Taylor's stream bridge, clearing out chaane 'gear Mount Harding, bU>.

\ IRRIGATION ITABM The action of the Engineer, as set fortl m his report, m fakii.g the race for th< irrigation farm along the road for par of the way, was approved of. I WATER RAKSER. j The application of the water ranger foi the Ashburton-Rangitaka district, to be allowed to erect a room on Gravel Re serve, near May field, tvaa granted, aubjec to the Koad Board having access tc gravel. CLEANING WATER RACES. Mr Leadley moved — " That it be an inßtrnction to the Engineer to see that the vrhoJe of the water race system ia placed ia thorough repair dutirjg next month, with a view to the summer requirements." Mr McLean seconded the motion, which was carried. A long discussion took place m regard to the most efficient system of cleaning the races, Mr Harper drawing special attention to the necessity for cleaning the fords, a work which he said had been negleoted m the past. Ultimately Mr Harper moved, " That the Council communicate with the various Road Boards and ask thsm if they will look after the fords at the expense of the Council. " This waa seconded by Mr Coster and oarried. RIVER OVERFLOW . The Engineer went into details m regard to the clause m his report having reference to the overflow of river at Wakanu l , It was resolved that the Engineer's report be adopted, and that owners be notified to remove fenceß or other ofcstrnctlona on the line of natural water ooarsea. RANGITATA TRAFFIC BRIDGE. The clause m the Engineer's report dealing with the question of protecting the RaDgitata Traffic Bridge was read, and also a letter, enclosing copy of Engineer's report, from the Geraldine : County Council. After considerable discussion, it was decided to leave the matter m abeyauce for the present. DIGBX'S BRIDGE. The Committee appointed at last meeting to consider the best means of coping with the damage done to the approach at Dipby'a bridge by the recent flood, submitted the following report : — BEPOBT ON DIGBY'e BRIDGE. The Committee appointed to inspeot and report on damage done to Digby's Bridge and approaches by late flood have met, inspeated the damage, and beg to report as follows : — They find, as reported by the Engineer, that the river is at present running through the gap on the west approach to the bridge, and that the present tendency oi the river is to press heavily on that bank. They think it advisable that further waterway should be provided than the old bridge allowed, and would therefore recommend an addition of two new spans 20 feet each, estimated to cost £150. They further recommend that the approach be made up and protected by a groin and willow planting connecting with the west bank, estimated to cost — Earthwork' £70 Protective work, etc 80 Estimated cost . . . . £150 (Signed) Donald McLean, W. C. Walkeb. The report was adopted, and the Engineer was instructed to call for tenders for the work at as early a date as possible. PUDDING HILL BBIDOE. In accordance with the suggestion of Mr .Tankunn \t. wnn rtanirinri fhah -f.ha nnrf.h

approach to the Pudding Bill Bridge be farther planted with willows, the Engineer to attend to the matter at once. PAYMENTS. The monthly accounts were pasred for payment. BESBEVB, A seven years' lease of gravel reserve 1022, containing five acres, was granted to 'A W. Smith. GREEK. Mr E. Chapman, Dray ton, again wrote with regard to injury being done his property by oreek. Messrs Coster and Jackson were asked to report on the matter. A QUESTION OF DAMAOE. The Hon, W. S. Peter wrote expressing surprise that the Council should, without having inspected the place, have deolded that the damage he complained of at laßt meeting had not been caused by the Council's works. He had no doubt that the damage was being caused by the Council's works, and if he could get redresß m no other way, he would be compelled to take legal proceedings. It was deoided that Mr Harper should report on this matter. HAMPSTEAD WATER SUPPLY. Messrs Andrews and Fawoett, as a deputation from (he ~Hampatead Town Board, -raited on the Coo noil In regard to the question of a water supply, chiefly for fire prevention purposes foe the Town district. They asked the Council to take into consideration whether they oould lead irater to the Wakanhi Road from whence the Board could undertake the work of distribution. The Engineer explained tho details of a scheme which some time ago he reported upon, for taking a- supply from the Wakanui Creek above the mill. It was decided to communicate with the Borough Council, In order to see if a scheme of water supply for the Town District could not be arranged for. PROTECTIVE RATE. Mr D. Fitzgerald waited on the Council m regard to the Wakanui Protective rate. He asked to be exempted because the protective workß were of no benefit to him, and he was losing land day after day. The Oococil decided that It could not make any reduction. SLAUGHTERING LICENSE. A slaughtering license was granted to W, Hartnell. SENDERS, The following tenders were accepted : Wheatutone main drain, Fawoett, £24 18a 6d ; fencing Plantation Reserve. Fawcett, £62. The Council then adjourned. ,