COUNTY COUNCILS.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16853, 5 June 1920, Page 11

COUNTY COUNCILS.

ASHBUBTON.

The Ashburton County Council met yesterday. Present—Messrs 4. . Drummond (chairman), AV. G. Gallagher, W. Ix>chhoad, "\V. Goodwin, J. Bruce, A. Horsey,- H: MoGuinnei6s, H. J. Harrison, and W. T. Lill. The Ashburtron Hospital and Charitable Aid Board wrote, stating that the levy for the year was £3991 8s 54. Tho County Engineer reported that the estimated cost of a bridge across tho, Hmds | at Surveyor's road, with a 14 feet deck, was £921 12s. Tho estimated cost of a bridge at tho Valetta crossing'. South Ashburton river, . ira £5964. It was decided to proceed with the erection of the proposed bridge at Poplar road. Hinds river, provided the Government would givo a subsidy of £ for — • With reference to tho proposed bridge across tho South Ashburton at Valetla. it was decidcd that the Council as a. body visit tho site suggested lor' the bridge. It was reported that 50 bushels of poisoned grain had been prepared, and it was decided thut it be apportioned to each Road Board according .to the rateable value of cach district . Mr McClymont, accompanied by Mr ■>. M. Dart, solicitor, waited on tho Council, and asked for ail extension of the Mount Somers tramway for a distance of seven chains. Mr Dart said he understood that there wero about 100,000 tons of coal in sight at the point to which tho extension was desired. After the deputation had retired the Council decided that Mr McClymont bo requested to get a Government mining en-' gineer's report on the present condition of tho mine, &Jid that working plans at the •mine be also produced before the Council catno to any decision in rcspcct to extending the. tramway. •The JKcv. Mr Petrie and Mr John Hood waited on the Council as a deputation from residents in the Mount Somers district, and asked that in the interests of the whole district the Council should extend the tramway at tho coal mine, as requested by Mr McClymont. | Tho committee appointed to go into the { matter of purchasing a road-mpking plant i reported that they had written to various | firms for prices, but so far there appeared I to be no power given to Jocal bodies to pur- ' chase a plant jointly, arid before this could 1 tjo done amended legislation would have to j be passed. I Mr Horsey gavo notice of motion to ask I for amended legislation to enable local bodies to purchase road-making plants jointly. j In regard to tho discharge of the effluent ! from the septic tanks of the Ashburton I Borough Council underground drainage I scheme into the Ashburton river, it was deI cided that before this could be Sanctioned j the Borough Council be requested to give 1 I tho Council an indemnity against any j action which might be brought for contamination of the water in the river.

The chairman and Mr Lf.l were appointed delegates •to attend the conference of local bodies, tinder the anspices of the Canterbury Progress Leagues. Tho Council voted an extra £10 to tlio Borough Council for the up-keep of the Ashburton Firo Brigade, in view of the Canterbury Provincial Fire Brigades demonstration. to ha hsl3 at Ashburton on labour Day. The Council decided to support a measure for a compulsory universal Saturday halfholiday.