ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1832, 4 May 1888, Page 3

ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary monthly meeting was held at noon to-day. Present — W. G. Walker (Chairman), E. O. Wright, James Brown, John Holmes, E, S. Ooster, 0. J, Harper, Julian JacksoD. AN FXPLANATIOK When the minutes of the last meeting were read, Mr Holmes, referring to a motion that was carried " That the attention of Mr Holmeß be called to the fmportanoe of the Storm Water Drainage Oommlttee. and that he be requested to call a meeting of the Commit tea at an early date," aald that that minate appeared to cast a reflection on him that he had not attended to his duty. He had not been aware that he was expected to call the meetings of the Committee, beoanse he had not been elected Chairman, but he had since been told that it was a custom of the Gounoll that whoever moved for a Committee shoold be ex officio chairman. He would draw the attention of the Council to Rule 32, of their rules of procedure, which direoted that the Clerk ■hould call all Committee meetings, therefore, he thought that that the resolution referring to him ehonld be expunged from the minutes, seeing that it had been carried m the face of the Council's rales, j The Chairman said, that although the Clerk was supposed to call the meetings he could not take- the responsibility of fixing the dates. In regard to what Mr Holmes had said, the Council had had no intention of casting any reflection. As far as the prooedure was concerned he did not see how the minute could now be expunged, unless Mr Holmes contested its being a correct record cf what had occurred. If Mr Holmes wished anything to be done he would have to move afterwards. Mr Holmes said that he would give notice of motion. Mr Wright asked the Chairman to read the minute. He did not think there was any reflection contained m it. The Chairman read the minute He assured Mr Holmes that the Council had no intention of castiDg any reflection upon him. Mr Holmes was satisfied that no aspersion was intended, but still the minute might convey the idea that it was necessary to call h ; s attention to the importance of the subject, wHereas he thought that he recognised the importance of the subject fully as well as any member of the Council The matter ihen dropped. LEAV.E OP ABSENCE Leave of absence was granted to Mr Grigg on the ground of ill health. chaibman's statement. The Chairman said:— The Selwyn County Council and the Government have agreed to the expenditure of £30 for repairs to the approach m this county to the Rakala Gorge Bridge, this amount to be paid out. of the special vote. The Selwyn County Council forwards for this Council's consideration a copy of a letter received, by it from Mr P. H. Cameron, relative to the closing of Dobbin's Ford, and pointing out the necessity of continu* fog the services of a fordsman there. The Treasurer has opened an account called the Mount Somers Tramway Loan Account, for the purpose of receiving the rants derived frcm the tramway, and to pay tLerefrom the payments due to the Government. The Wakanui Road Board writes to say that m its experience poisoned grain is not successful In exterminating small birds, and recommends a substantial subsidy be given for the heads of old birds during the winter B9ason cs the best method of dealing with the email bird pest The Christchurch Charitable Aid Board advises this Council that its contribntlon for the year ending March 31 ; 1889, Is £1011 Os lOd. A circular from the Waltaki County Council with reference to the number of members for each Coancil, and another from the . Wbangsrel County Oonncil as to amending the Pabllo Works Act, with a view of supplying the means of acquiring and exchanging lands for public works, will be read to-day. The amount of rates paid to date is £2074 5s Bd, leaving £2852 19a 8d UQCollected, As re quested by Mr D. Meares, samples of produce irrigated and unlrrigated, from the Irrigation Farm have been cent to Christ church, to be on view at the Chamber of Commerce. BKfIINKEB'S BBPOBT. The Engineer reported as follows : — Ashburton-Bangitata Water Supply: The improvement of the main raoe m the ravine leading out from South Hinds River has been completed so as to lessen the danger to stook. At the intake from the South Ashburton Biver about 8000 willow stakes might be pnt m to great advantage on the upper eide of present plantation, provided the Land Department would give that corner for protecting said inlet, only it would require to be fenced m. The water supply of the district has been fairly kept up during the month, but most of the sections are badly m want of the overhaul which will be undertaken towards the end of this month. Plains Water Supply : The willow planting at inlet of auxiliary water supply will be undertaken forthwith. It will be necessary to form a small groin at upper end of it, about 15 feet m leDgth, to prevent encroachment till the willows get well rooted. The creek which forma the outlet for the surplus water of race at Methven plaughteryard will require to be deepened for nearly 15 chains, as it has now become so shallow as to be almost obliterated, and is the means of bringing flood-water into the race, rather than dear of it. Two fords m the Promore district are m want of repair. These will be attended to by the Road Board next week, as also will the making up of approaches to bridge for test channel on Main South Road. —The first portion of the channel from river along River Road, Wakanui, is being undermined a good deal by the action of the water m the deep portion of the cutting which reaches the sand. To remedy this, turf sidewalls 2 feet high might be built for a length of about 10 chains. Mount Somers Water Supply: The main along the terrace near Mount Somers township haß been oleared out during the month and there is now a good supply m all the races. Several of them, however, require g thorough overhaul, and this remark applies also to the Ashburton Forks raoe which is now being vary much overgrown with cress and weeds. Pridge over North Ashburton Biver, Pudding Hill : Several deck planks are now required for this bridge. Plantations : Several fences have had to be - repaired daring the month to prevent further inroads by cs-ttle, and three more m the vicinity of Ashbarton are still m want of overhaul. Drainage Districts ; lam preparing a map which may be of service m assisting the ratepayers to fix the limits of the LagmhorWaterton district. If the Council decide that an early meeting be held at Winslow it would require to be advertised at onoe. Minerals : At your request I accompanied, Mr Gordon, Inspector of Mines, over the Mount Somers district, with a view to ascer? tain whether minerals were likely to be found m payable quantity. His offioial report has not been received, but I have his authority for stating that while there is no indication . whatever of any metaliferous lode on the southern slope of Mount Somers to the westward of Taylor's stream, he has tested a sample of stone taken from the drive which is now being made to the North of R.S. 22014 and has found a small per centage of tin m it. Another sample has been sent at his request, co that confirmatory evidence may be obtained. Mr Gordon was somewhat favorably impressed with the mineral indications m the upper reaches of the Stour river and be thinks tin or copper, or both may be obtained there, and is likely to advise a thorough exploration of that district. The access ia somewhat difficult m parts, but a sufficiently * good bridle path could be formed at small cost. iSEBVETON RANGITAT A WATER SUPPLY. The - Engineer's suggestion regarding . willow planting was approved of, the land < ft necessary to be acquired from the Land Department, PLAINS WATER SUKPLY. The Engineer's suggestion m regard to nroteotloo at intuke waj approved,

1 It wpb decided to app'y to the proJ prletorf, asking for their consent to 'ha j drepfinlhg of the creek whioh formed the j oct/ot for the surplus water of raca at I M thven elaughteryard. BAOE ON RlVfiß ROAD. The matter of erecting a turf wall, as recommended by the Engineer, waß ordered to stand ove? till nexb meeting. STOBMWiTBR Mr Holmes read ibe progress report; of the Committee : Tho recomaiendatior?a of the CDtnmittea were as follows : — That your Committee have visited the Uppar ; Aahburton and Aahburton riding and ara ■ of opinion that the damage arlelog from stormwater m that district would be greatly mitigated by making a drain along the Tirnsru track sufficient to take the floodwaters of No. I and No II creeks into the Aahburton river. That the owners of property m those portions of the ridlnga In which No. 1 and No. 2 and 3 oreekß flow, be requested to olean and keep clean and free from obstacles those creeka bo bb to allow the stortnwator to flow unimpeded down them. That the Council advise the ratepayers affeoted by itovm water from these creeks to pre39nt a petition defining a drainage district aB provided by section 269 of the Commit- eea Aot 1886 for tbe pnrpo«e of having the drainage work carried out by special loan under the provisions of that Ac". That Messrs Wright and Harper a* members of the Committee, and the Engineer meet the ratepayers at Winalow to assist them m defining a drainage district nnder clause 269 of the Committees' Act 1886, and explain the provisions of the Act;. On the motion of Mr Brown, the following clause waa added to the report : — That one third <f the cost be borne bj the ridlnga benefited, and m euch proportion as to the Council seems ja?t IRRIGATION. Mr Harper for the Irrigation Committee read the following report , . . Yonr Committee having carefully considered the probable coat of working the farm for a further period of twelve montha report as follows : — Expenditure— £. b. d. Caretakers wagea 91 0 0 Cultivating 60 aores for grain and roots 19 17 6 Seed corn at 6i, barley r and oatß 12 10 0 I Grass Beads and clovers ... 13 2 6 Harvesting 25 0 0 Carting and threshing say 20 bushels to acre ... ... 16 5 0 Contingencies 20 0 0 Total £197 15 0 Estimated return — &. b d. Fifteen tons of chaff, oat sheaf st£3 45 0 0 Sale of potatoes and roots ... 10 0 0 Graz'ng of sheep 10 0 0 Barley and oats, 20 bushels to aore at Bay 2; 63,1000 bushels 125 0 0 Root cropa 30 0 0 Value of caretakers services when irrigation work not on 20 0 0 Total £240 0 0 la aooordanoe with a request from the Chairman cf the Chamber if Commerce, I instructed the caretaker of the farm to forward samples of produoo from the Irrigated and non irrigated portions for exhibition. Mr Meares, of the Chamber of Commerce, onveyed his thanks to the Council for their kindness In letting hloi have samples of produce from the irrigation farm, In acting as they had done In bringing prominently forward the advantages to be gained by Irrigation, the members of the County Council are entitled to the thanks of the community. Mr Harper moved that the farm be carried on another year. It was not necessary for hisn to advance any arguments, because he had no doubt all the members were svell aware of the ad rant age to be derived. There waa also the prospect of the farm being self sapporting, Mr Coßter seconded the motion. Mr Homes said that the proposal brought them face to face with a serious difficulty In regard to the working of the Council under the act of 1875 the County Council might have had power to carry this work on bat m the act of 1886 tbe legislature taw fit to very considerably restrict the scope of the Council's powers, Under cestion 145 the general coutity fund was bonnd to be expanded m paying general debts and liabilities euah as overdraft, salaries etc ; m paying contributions nnder any act of the general assembly, such as Hospital and Charitable Aid contributions ; and m constructing and maintaining main roads, and all bridges and ferries. Now when all these had been attended to there would be surplus left. The Counoll could not under these circumstances carrying a motion authorising expenditure, or they might find themselves In trouble, as a decision of Mr Justice Williams was very clear on this point, It seemed that if they oould gq on they would have to borrow, and was that advtsibie? Of couree if it could be carried on without coming on the county fund would be all|rlght. He read Mr Justice Williams decision m which it waa held that the members who voted for some work outside of what was specified by the aot, would have to refund. As he did not want to have to do do that he would either vote against the proposal or wald out while . the vote was being taken. The Chairman asked if section 291 would not give the necessary power to oarry on the farm, Mr Holmes waa satlefitd that that would only apply it after the other chargeß had been defrayed oat of the fund there was any money left. The Council would not have any Burpluß after these charges had been met. •Mr Wright presumed that the d ffioulty was that the members having the authority of the announcement of Mr Holmes would be anable to come to a decision. Without any disparagement to Mr Holmea he thought the beet way would ba to obtain their Eolloitor'o opinion on this matter, and take no aotion till tha opinion was obtained. He much regretted this difficulty had arisen, because it was on his motion the land had been taken and work commenced. If the Council were unable to vote this sum they would also be unable to grant a small sum be bad intended asking .for to make prospecting tracks at Alford Foreßt. If the law was so rigid that it would debar the one it would also debar ther other. He would therefore move that they submit the matter for a legal opinion. The Chairman seconded Mr Wright's motion, It waa the only thing they could do m the face of Mr Holmes' statement and the decision he had quoted. Mr Wright's motion was then agreed to. TOLL GATES Pursuant to notice Mr Holmes moved "That a toll gate ba placed on the new bridge over the Ashburton river, and that tolls be levied on all persons ueiDg each bridge, m order to raise fnnda to keep the bridge m repiir without expense to the county ratepayers, and to pay the ' wagea of a caretaker." He said that he would like it amended ao as to apply to all bridges m the county. He oald that his reason for moving m this direction waa that In January or February lasr, the Engineer had reported that the Racgitata Bridge, which was but little üßed, was co much out of repair that £850 would be required to put it m order, and at the same he reported that the Aehburlon Bridge would require repairs on account of damage caused by fire, He had looked into this matter of bridgeß with the result that he found that m this county there were no leas than eleven bridges which had cost the Council a' very largo sum of rnohey, and there were many of them which were of no use to the majority of the ratepayers, who were Used, to maintain thorn, Aa these.

I bridges grew oldo* their maintenance would become a heavy item, and he considered that the people who benefitted by them— the travelling pu die, and those persons who lived m their vianity should have to contribute m their maintenance. It might be said that by estabiibhing tolls they were going back to old fashioned ideas, but he thought that people In the colony «-ere too much liflaenoed by sentiroe it, He pointed oat that tlmeß were very different now to what they were when ihey had the land fund — when they were living on their capital ad it were. [Left aitting.]