ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1703, 4 November 1887, Page 2

ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary monthly meeting 01 the AHhharion (,'oanty 0 uncil was held this morning Present : Messrs B. Q» Wright (chiiirman), 0. J. Harper, D. Mol oan, E. b. Ooster, «J. Jackson, and tf W I eariley. chairman's statement. The Ch 'irm-n eairi :-The Government has pluced to the credit of the OouDoil the erant of £300, promised for tbo Blaokford and Rwdcliffo Road.— Tne Mount Hatt Road Jjoard having agreed to contribute half tbu cost of putting the Black Mountain Traok m order, Mr Gerard has been advised that he can undertake the work for the Bum mentioned by him, half the. amount being paid by this Council, and the other half by the Mount Hatt Boad Board - The Mount Homers Boad Board and South Bakaia Boad Board state their willingness to look after the lords m their districts for the Council— The Returning Officer has been instructed to hold tha general elections for Counoillorj9 on the 16th instant, this being the gazetted date, — The Aihburton Borough Council forwards a copy of a resolution suggesting a'eps uhould be taken to form a separata Charitable Aid Bond for the County and Roroogh. — Mr Peaohe has written to the Council respecting a tramway he intendi making to nis limestone and building* -tone quarry, and asks whether the Council could procure for him the necessary material, and that the County »■ ngineer may superintend the work.—- Mf Brown, as the chairman of a public meeting held at Wakanui to consider the best mean* to prevent further overflow from the Arfiburton Btver, sends, for the Council's information, copies of the resolutions passed at that meeting.— The solicitor's opinion on the ciroular from the Waitaki County Council r& titles to roads, will be placed before tLe Oounoil as asked for at the last meeting.— Mr Harper has visited the fluming at South Hinds, and will report on these workß as requested by the Council, Mr Peter having complaiaed some time back that these works were causing damage to his lands, as the Council will remember. — Ihe Chairman of j the Wakanui Koad Board and Mr Lill will wait on the Council to-day to represent the Wakanui Boad Board with referenoe to the control of the boundary road between the South Bakaia and Wakanui Koad Districts, which will be considered at this meeting.— A Bill to amend tke Hospital aod Charitable Institutions Aot, 1885, and another to regulate the lioeniing of auctioneers, forwarded from Wellington by Mr Walker, are placed on the table for the information of the Council* _ | ROUXfNIi ' -* Rangers Nob 1 »uu 2 reports and diaries were placed on the table, also a s'atemen of the business done by the Chairman and the diary of the overseei of the irrigation F*rm. Copies of Billi re Auctioneers and Charitable 4ld Boards tntrnduoed In Parliament, were forwarded hy Me Walker, and were placed on the table for the lospeotlon of members. A ilroul&r from the Colonial Secretary ie Melbourne Exhibition was also Jaid on the table* Mr A, E. Peaone wrote stating he in* tended erecting lime kllnj at Mount Somers, shd oonstruotldg a branch line from the coal tramway to the limeatont, and another into the building stone quarry. He wished to know if the Connoll would prooure rails for him a« the Connoll o >uld pnrohaae at a lower rate th«n a private, individual. As he believed the Tramway acoount was overdrawn he suggested that the Council shonld obtain a rant of the tramway reserve, by the sale of whioh the overdraft might bo wiped off* In conclusion, Mr Peach asked if the 0 -unoll would allow their Engineer, if he h-td time, to superintend the construction of the branoh lines, The Council were willing that Mf Baxter should undertake the work of auperlntendenoe If he bad sufficient time to do so, the matter of payment fox his •ervloes to be one between Mr Baxtes and ftlr Peaohe. The Council expressed its opinion that the negotiations for the purchase of the •'ails had better be made direot by ftfr Peaohe hlmaelf. ENGINEERS REPORT. The Engineer reported as follows :— Floodwater, Tinwald and Flemington Diatriota: As requested by the Counoil, 1 have gone carefully into this question with >he view of arriving at a solution that will aflord the beat means of relief to the district! more immediately uffeotod m times of floode, such as have happened periodically during the last few months. In company with a deputation from the Longbeaoh Boad Board and their surveyor, £ examined the various courses and flood channels m the Lagmhor district, traoing the origin of the damage, and noting the lines along whioh the greateit iojury was occasioned. It would appear that the source of most of the misohief is the accumulation of floodwater, wbioa ttkea plaoe m the vioinjty of No. 1 oreek, Lagmhor, whioh m the Tinwald distriot is known aa Houston's Oreek. During a wet time this ia muoh raoro liable to get swollen than tha other creeks m the neighborhood, and the overflow from it even as high up as the road known as the Timaru Traok, is auoh as to inundate the roads and sweep over property situated on either side oi it. The Tinwald Town Diatriot, whioh is adjacent to this oreek, suffers very severely from it, as the water stagnates on the oross streets, while lower down m the Wheatstone and Fleming* ton districts the volume is so increased as to oause disastrous consequences over considerable areas of agricultural land ia these distriots. The* gentleman who inter* viewed the Counoil at las*: meeting repra* sented very fairly tht damage whioh wai being occasioned from time to time m thtir respeotive distriots from the caus*t alluded to, and while it ia not feasible to give anything like absolute relref, I am of opinion (and m this the deputation concurred) that the best method of minimising the damage! is the cutting of a main catoh-water drain from the Lagmhor road to the Ashburton river on tht line of the Timaru traok, and intercepting the flood water from said No. 1 oreek on tha way. This portion of the road never hat been, nor is ever likely to be, used as a publio road, and would serve admirably for drainage purposes. The outlet would be into a natural gully whioh oonneots with the river m suoh a manner aa would pot bs likely to entail scour or drainage of river bank, and for a few chains below the outlet some willow-planting might be done to advantage. The channel which I should propose would be 132 chains m length, 20 feet wide at bottom on average and 20 inohea deep, with slopes of 1£ to 1. The cost, inoluding ford and all other necessary works, I estimate at £210. Tha proportionment of coat would be a matter of arrangement with the Boards interested, but I should judge iho following to be equitable : — Longbeaoh riding, say £rd .. ## £70 Upper Ashburton Biding, cay Jrd •• £70 Tinwald Town District Jth .. .. £35 Railway Department Jtu „ „ £85 m" £310 Tbo present main drain on the upper side of railway at Tinwald is oonstruoted so that the flood water to the north of Lagmhor road is conduoted into Garter's oreek, tha remainder into Houston's oreek. I under* stood the Tinwald Town Board are to remove the oulvert at lower end of Lagmhor road and to make up the ford on street line at Houston's to the original level of the ground. Hitherto, some additional damage may have been oaused from excess of water sent from theße two points. River overflow, Wakanui Flat : With the exception of Mr David Wilson, the parties who were requested to open up the feno« lines, have not done so, the result being that till last week several fields were oonverted into • serfosof dams to the consequent injury of orops and roads. The residents have now temporarily stemmed the overflow by an earth embankment, and some resolutions passed at a meeting recently convened it Wakanni, will be plaoed before you to»'day. Water Supply, Wakanui Flat: The river enoroachmenta have praotioally out off the supplies along River Boad and Wilton's road, and the method of restoring time will dtpend on the steps which way be takes for faiths*- dealing tanitw ipJUt diitriat,^

The feieinei work to the extent of 00 lineal bet near the lower end of bulwork has subsided •• that the top is now abont IS iuoheß only above ordinary water level. That portion should certainly be made up. The OOBt will be about £30. Waksnui Creek : The inlets to the raoe3 from this creek have got very tnuoh silted up of late, and the Canterbury Mills has been subject to back water from the same cause. I understand the owner o! the mill will be prepared to act with the Counoil m improving the ontfall as migbs be thought necessary. I - caa hardly say what might be beßt to be done, bat would report farther if the Counoil authorise one. Plain's Water Supply : Thiß has been very fairly maintained during last month. The wosnt floodß have disarranged some of the beeine work at Woir at Pudding Hill, and tht crest of weir has also been cat down with travelling boulders. The river-bed has a' so been disturbed adjacent to the inlet of auxiliary channel. I have arranged for the necessary protection at all these points, and the work ia now m hand. A scouring sluioe will also be necessary at the small dam at Mount Harding, the cost of whioh will be ftboat £5, Instead of enlarging the flume on E race m R.B. 15548, I have arranged with Mr MeHwraith for a deviation which will not increase the length of race, and he will ittttj tha coßt of it, so far as it be of benefit ftO his property. Ashborton-Rangitata Water Supply : Most of tha noes m this district are now m fair •tif, and remaining deficient portions are m proem of improvement. The action of ioodwater rendered it necessary to reinstate fftrt of email flume on No 3 raoe and from the Mine coarse a small flume had to be •noted m gully near B.S. 7751 on H 3 race.— The ertek which formerly supplied the few BmiAl seotionß adjacent to it on railway reserve 850 near Tinwald is to blocked op over nearly all the npper portion of its course that no supply is available for these lots m the meantime. — Tha contractor for small auxiliary supply, Mount Alto, having been engaged finishing other contracts, has not yet nude a start with the work, bnt will do to eariy nest week. Mount Somere Water Supply ; Tnese races fcftve been kept running during the month, cot the reoent freshets have rendered neces•ary close attention at the inlets and clearances to be effected from time to time, more especially at Taylor's Stream— A Bmall deviation was necessary m head race whioh supplies to Forks district, oaused by the encroachment of river there, and some other minor repairs are being effected. North Ashburton river bridge near Digby's: The two additional spanß at north end of bridge have been finished m a satisfactory manner, and the earthwork and fascine work of approach are just on the point of completion. The fencing will be finished by Wednesday next and the bridge re-opened for pokllo traffic on Thursday, Mount Somera Tramway : All the authortied works have been oompleted and the tramway was opened for traffic on Ist inst. I have taken levels, etc., for the proposed branohes to freestone quarries and for the limeworks. A letter from Mr Peaohe on these ■Objects will be laid before you to-day. Irrigation Farm: All the seeis have now been eown as the Committee diteoted, and so far show good growth all over. The trees which were transplanted from the belt adjoining the farm are also growing well. It would appear that a small toolhouse and some minor additions to cottage are neces. eary. These oonld be done at once if authorised by the Counoil. Plantation Reserves: The ploughing of 126 _^jfiXeSrMß6rve 2673, has been completed. The greater portion of it is well done, but part done m dry weather not so well. The fencing of this reserve will aho be completed to* Borrow. The cutting of fences, Asnburton* Hinds district, has been completed, as also the cutting of those adjoining the railway between Ashbnrton and Chertsey. That on three-chain reserve north of Chertsey will be In band m a few days. SIOBM WATSB AX TINWALD. It was resolved that a> copy of the Engineer's report be forwarded to the Tirioos bodies affected, and that they be atked If they will contribute In the proportion estimated by tba Engineer. WAXANUI CEKEK. It wm resolved that the Engineer be Instructed to have cleared out the Inlets to the races, and to Instruct the rangers sot to close the raoea if there Is no local rainfall. IBBIGATION *ABM. It£wai resolved that the tool-house and •ddltion to cottage at Irtlgatioo Farm, raggeited by the Engineer, should be ttrrted out. WATER StPPLY COMMITTEE. The.Wtter Supply Committee submitted • lengthy report In regard to water race business. The report was adopted. FIUMING AT BIRDS. In regard to the Hun W. S. Peter's complaint of damage being oausec to his land by flaming over the Hinds, Mr Harper reported having visited the place. The Engineer having given his opinion, the Gobncil decided that It could not see lte way to take any action m the matter. chapman's cbeex. After considering a leport by Meiers Jackson and Gutter, It was deoided to ondertake the necessary work to prevent ecour m Chapman's creek. PAYMENTS. Accounts were passed for payment. MOTJKT SOMEBS TRAMWAY. The Council went Into Committee lo consider finance m connection with the Mount Somers Tramway. POSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID; The Borough Counoil wrote rtqueitlcg the Council's co-operation m urging opon the local members to bring a £111 Into Parliament constituting Ashbnrton County and Borough a separate Charitable Aid dfstrlot. The Ghafrmrn pointed out (hat such a measure was sow before the House. He thought the movement deserved the cordial sympathy of the Council, because If Charitable Aid were administered locally there would be a very Urge saving annually to this dletrict. A conversational discussion ensued, and It was resolved on the motion of Mr Jackion, seconded by Mr McLean " That the Council are of oplulon that the Hospital and Charitable Aid Act requires •mending, m order to relieve the district of Ashbnrton from the heavy burden impoied upon it by way of contribution to the Christcbarch district " . « It was resolved that copies be sent to the Borough Cornell, sndMeeara Walker, and Buxton and Major steward M.H.R V BOUNDARY ROAD. Ifetsre Bruce and Lill, representing the Wakanui Boad Board, and Mr Mulligan and another gentleman representing the South Bekala Road Borrd, waited on the Cornell In regard to the control of the toad wbJob forme the boundary between the two districts. The respective deputations eieh applied tot the control of the road to be vested m the Board they represented. The matter was argued at considerable length, j The Council havljg discussed the question. Mr Jackson moved that the control of the road be rested In the Booth Bakaia Boad Board. Mr Leadley moved as an amendment that the matter be deferred. The amendment was lost and tbe notion carried. Tbs question of apportionment of pro* portion of cost of rratntenance was deferred till next Council dry, m order that data to enable the Counoil to arrive at a decision might be procured. TILLAGE SETTLEMENT. A deputation of four Dromore village settlers waited on tbe Council, Bnd asked that some steps be taken to supply the ■etjlement with water. The Chairman reed the Engineer's report on the subject, dealt with at a previous meeting* The report was to the effect that ■o • apply wbb available from tbe present eystem of water races, unless water was brought m from the Raksia at a very hear/ expepie. Tha Chairman explained the position of affairs, and said the beet course for the aettlers would be to petition the Government to grant a sum sufficient to •apply the Tillage isttleri, who are

1 Government tenants, with the water I netded for their leolom. I KIVJBR KNOBOACBMBNT M> S, Brown waited oa the Council and stated that portionß of the embankment at Wftkanul had subsided, and needed to be repaired. Mr Brown further \ brought under th« notice of the Council ■' that be had suffered a pood deal of • damage through river overflow, and as he had been put to a good deal of expenpe for protection, he wished the Council to take into consideration bis case m regard to the payment of the river rate m the course of a short discussl n the question of forming a River road was ! brought up and the Chairman taid that the Council were exceedingly glad that the settlers were taking action In this dlreotion. Mr D. Leddy walled on the Council and asked that some steps be taken to restore the water-race that formerl) supplied hla property "with water. fLeft sitting.]