COUNTY COUNCIL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XIV, Issue 2898, 14 February 1893, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL.

The following concludes our report of yesterday's meeting: — A3HBURTON-RANCUTATA WATER SUPPLY. It was resolved that the race abked for by Messrs Giles and others be authorised, and the Engineer was instructed to turn on the water &s soon as a sufficient eupply is available. Messrs Dawsjn and White waited on the Council in regard to a race rpquired by themselves and adjoining settlers in the Longbeach district. To give this supply it would be necessary to enlarge mains, and the race to supply the settlers would require to be led through the property of settlers who would not derive benefit therefrom. Mr Grigg, speaking for himself, said he would bo willing to give a water right through his property, and would probably contribute towards the first cost of the race, but he declined to have the portion eoinp through his property proclaimed, and so have to pay annual charges on a race that was no uso to him. There were other settlers in the same position as himself, l who would have to be consulted. There would be a cost of £50 to enlarge the initial main. A lengthy discussion took place on the subject, and ultimately the following was decided—"That the application of Messrs | Dawson, White, and' others be granted, ! provided they pay half the initial cost of widening the maio from Cavendish downwards ; that the applicants construct the races through their own properties, and pay the annual water charges after the expiration of two years, and also undertake to maintain the race from Cullen's downwards, under a special agreement with the Council." It was understood that, as soon as the special agreement was signed and the half cost of enlarging the main paid, the work would be proceeded with at once. The decision of tjhe Council was arrived at on the motion of Mr Friedlander. It was decided to enlarge the flume and do other incidental work at the Hinds, charging cwt of same to Rangitata Road Board, as the race affected was constructed out of funds contributed by the Rangitata Road Board's thirds account. ASHBURTON-KAKAIA WATER SUP AY. Mr Brown moved to authorise the Chairman to make a temporary arrangement for bringing a supply of water from the South Branch into the North Branch as swn as pos-ible. The motion was seconded and carried unan'moua'y. SPECIAL MKfcTISG. A. special meeting was held as per statute, to elect a representative to the Lytlelton Htrbor Board. Mr Coster moved the re-election of Mr Wright, and Mr Brown seconded, the latter paying a high compliment to Mr Wright on his scion re the discharge of ships' ballast* indium through which noxious weeds were introduced to New Zealand. Mr Grigg also spoke highly of Mr Wright's services on the Board. Ta<* motion was carried unanimously, and Mr Wright, after thanking the Council for hi* re-election, said he was in hopes that a reduction on wharf charges would soon be possible, as the harbor income was steadily increasing. The Council then resumed in ordinary meeting. THE NORTH AND SOUTH BRANCH CONNECTION. Mr Grigg moved *• That an application be made to the Board of Governors of tho Canterbury College to obtain a permanent water way across sections (in which the Board hava interest) for the purpose of drawing water cut of the south branch of the Ashburton river into the north branch. That a deputation, consisting of Mr Wiight, Mr Fricilhnder, and Mr Harper wait upon iho Board at an e?rly date, and urge that ihe application should bo granted." WAKANUI CREEK. The minutes of the Council, fitting at* a Committee of the w"hole at last meeting, were read, treated as h report from the Committee and considered. The following memorandum (A) of easements, etc, to be granted by landowners to the Ashburton county in re spoct of the Wakanui Creek was laid on the table : — 1. Each landowner is to giant the body corporate of the county of Ashburton a perpetual right to carry water along the Wakanui Creek where the same passes through his land and in addition a right of way 15 feet wide on each side of the creek if the landowner's property lie* on both Bides of the creek, or if it lies on one side only, then a right of way 15 feet wide on that side, for the purpose of maintaining, repairing, cl anting, and inspecting ihe creek. The landowner will also be required to grant the county permission to deposit upon the banks of the oreek all refuse matter, willows, etc., drawn from such portion of the creek as intersects or abuts upon his lands in the process of cleansing the creek. Where requisite, a right of entry irom the public roads so as to give the County Council's ofnczrs and servants access to the'creek must also be granted. 2. The Wakanui Creek will be constituted an ordinary water-race, and the persons owning and occupying lands along its banks will be required to pay the usual water charges and to comply with the provisions of the County Council's uy-laws affecting water-races, excepting that they will not be required ro clean the creek. For the purpose of assessing the amount of water charges payable the creek will be measured in a straight line through the sections. 3. The owners of lands lying along the course of the creek will be required in the aggregate to pay one-fourth of the expenses incurred by the County Council in bringing the creek under the provisions of "The Water Supply Act, 1891." Each land: owner's contribution will' be assessed pro rata according to the length of the creek intersecting or abutting upon his Knds, measured in a straight line and not accord? ing to thp windings of the creak. 4. The above rights, easements, and con, ditions will be em'nMftf in registerable deeds, to be prepared by r- 0 luncil's solicitor, and which must bj executed by the landowners concerned, who will also be required tc procure the consents of all other necessary parties thereto, In the discussion which took place on the question, Mr Brown moved to define the Wakanui Creek to include the head races of the Canterbury Mills, and of the Wakanui Mills,' and all headworks in connection therewith, and that they shall be dealt with ii| their entirety a$ one whole. The motion was not seponded, A letter wag read, from fhe millowners in reply to the County Solicitor's letter, \n which several points of difference between tljem and the Council were B9 JJ}%^ 9H*? *fl d fae Solioicor's attention —<«*Aw» ti lit eeygraj matters th.at would »-. •— a«alt with in preparing any have to oo -. ;«■ k, rettU i re( i t o agreement they might ... «WUW w 8 It was decided that in the event of a meeting of landowners being held at Wakanui on February 24, as proposed, Mr Purnell and the Engineer be authorised to attend. Mr Harper moved that further consideration of the report of the fulX. committee be adjourned till next meeting, Mr Grigg seconded, and after discussion the motion was carried. WESTEBFIBLD PACK. The repoit of the sub-committee appointed to arrange with Mr Lublow the terms on which the Westerfield race could be used was wad. and agreed to. Accounts to the amount of J642Q were passed for payment. PKOi'OSSD SHEEP BRIDGE. The Railway Commissioners, wrote stating that the «ost of a sheep bridge over the Rangitata would bo £686, and the annual cost of maintenance £20. This, however, would not include a bridge over the small ebannel at the extreme north

end of the existing bridge. The coat of a continuous bridge^ from end to end would be £841, and the annual coat £25 It wan decided to ask the Oerddine Council if they would be willing to pay half cost of the bridge. WAfEK JtACK APPLICATIONS. MeHbro Arthur Wilson and others. . applied for a water race in place of the ' creek known as Shepherd's Brook, which had Veen dry over two years. The I Council decided to grant the application i subject to the payment by applicants of initial cust, about £12. Mr Harper was asked to communicate with Mr John McLean, Oaroaru, as to what could be done to supply Mr Shillito with water. An application by MrElmslie Mas held over. A ford was ordered to be constructed for Mr Peter as soon as the water could be shut off. KUBERVR 2589. I A peiiticn regarding Reserve 2559 was , held over till next meeting. NOTICES OF MOTI Mi. Mr Brown to move-" That the sunu of £20 19s lid, being Mr Purneli's first charge in connection with the Wakanui Creek, and passed by this Council on November 4, »nd now standing charged against the Wakanui Riding, be transferred from the Wakanui Riding account to the general account, so that it may be a charge on the whols county.' \ Mr Harper to move—"That in cases | where main races have been so enlarged ! for the benefit of landowners in the lower pai# of the district, the maintenance of the enlarged races be undertaken by die Council." NEW KOAD. An application by the Anama Road Board for a more direct road from the Hinds Forks to the Anama railway station was granted, subject to the Road Board fencing the plantation if necessary. PLANTING. , It was decided to have certain reserves at May field vested in the County Council for planting purposes. APOLOGY. Mr John Irwin wrote apologising for tampering with the race through his property, and tendering a fine of £5, with £2 2* costs. The apology was accepted, and its text ordered to be published. TRAVELLING STOCK It was resolved to make formal application for forty-eight acres near the RangitAla traffic bridge for the accotnaudition of travelling stock, and also for rants accruing for portion let. BOLL ALTERATIONS. Several alterations on the roll were sanctioned. HIAUGHTBBING LICENSES. Slaughtering licenses were grauted to James Smith, Joseph Kobinson, and Tasker Biros. The Council then adjourned.