SELWYN COUNTY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1441, 28 September 1878, Page 3

SELWYN COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary monthly meeting of this Council was held at the Government Buildings at 10.30 a.m. yesterday. Present —Messrs H. J. Tancred (in the chair), E, J. Lee, H. J. Mathias, and McMillan. chaieman’s statement. The Chairman —As directed at the last meeting, the engineer has been instructed to report on the best mode of continuing the Malvern water race, and his recommendations will be laid before you. The gentlemen selected for appointment as trustees for the proposed central cemetery having all consented to act, the Government has been requested to confirm the appointments. An offer of an additional piece of land adjoining that recently purchased will be submitted to you. Mr Dobson has reported upon the best site for a bridge at Glentunnel. He estimates that a substantial structure can be erected at a cost of about £IBOO, including approaches. The residents at Dunsandel apply for the establishment of a public pound. They state that there is a suitable yard in the township which the proprietor is willing to let, and tnat he is willing to act as poundkeeper if appointed. The Ellesmere Domain Board apply to have the Ellesmere recreation reserve permanently vested in them. As the whole question of dealing with reserves in the county is now under the consideration of the Government, it will perhaps be advisable to defer action in this matter until next meeting. A letter from the Courtenay Road Board, recommending the alienation of ten acres of planting reserve for the purpose of a recreation ground will be laid before you. An application has been received from the Lyttelton Domain Board, asking the Council to get £IOO placed on the estimates for the Board. The monthly report of the Inspector of Slaughter-houses, also several applications for licenses will be laid before you. The inspector states that several persons are slaughtering without a license, although ho has given them notice that they must apply for them. He asks whether he is to prosecute them. A letter has been written to the Government, transmitting the resolution of the Council in reference to the bridge over the Eakaia. As yet no answer has been received. MAIVEBN wateb eace. The following report on the Malvern water race was read : The dam at the intake on the Kowai is a solid and serviceable piece of work. The sluice-gates are in good order, indeed I may say that the whole of the works at the head of the tunnel are very satisfactory, with the exception of the grating mentiond in a former letter. Ihe tunnel, as far as I have had an opportunity of inspecting it, cannot be said to be perfect, and it is much to be regretted that concrete was not used in its construction instead of bricks, the quality of the latter being inferior ; but as they have been used there is no alternative but to accept the work as it stands. The open race is generally in good order, a few of the rapids would certainly admit of a little better finish, but on the whole the work may be looked upon as entirely successful in its operation. In two places only have I noticed a slight scour ; the leakage, if any, is very trifling. As the water is above the level of the adjoining land there docs not appear to bo any percolation into the subsoil. The works executed extend one mile fifty-five chains, and the water is turned at that point into an old creek bed. I strongly recommend the works being taken over by the Council, and I am in communication with the resident engineer to facilitate the transfer. Upon the handing over of the work by the Government I have to submit for the consideration of your committee the following scheme for the extension of the race As already stated there is an old creek into which the water is turned, and flows along it through private property. The utilising of this as a permanent channel is a point that requires serious consideration, and after fully going into the question I cannot recommend it. The fall is great, and to prevent scour rapids would have to be constructed. The creek bed being ill defined, and without great alteration and improvement, quite incapable of carrying the necessary amount of water. I estimate the cost of putting the creek in order, as equal to the expenditure necessary to construct a race along the reserve. It would require fencing on both sides to keep out cattle, and it would also be difficult to keep perfect control over the water. I have carefully considered the subject, and with duo regard to the wants of the district, I am of opinion that the most economical and efficacious way of constructing the main race will be as follows s Miles. Along reserve from end of constructed race to Sheffield ... 7} I' Sheffield to Horndon 8} Homdon to Kirwee 5* Kirwee to Eolleston 10* Total 31} Approximately, and supposing wood to bo used in constructing the rapids, this would cost .£IB,OOO. An auxiliary race could be made from Sheffield to Kirwee, and another in a south-east direction from Horndon. This distribution appears to me to be the best, and places the water entirely under control; all subsidiary and branch paces will require to be supplied by sluices, guaged to allow a certain flow ; but as I am now only dealing with the subject generally, I will postpone details for a future report, to be prepared on receiving instructions. I may add that I have duly considered the advisability of taking the'race in a zigzag or tortuous course, and although predisposed for some reasons to favor such a scheme, I have abandoned the idea in the present instance, as the cost would be too great —not forgetting that with the limited supply of water during summer the increased length of the channel would aid evaporation and percolation to an extent that could not be afforded. I have received a memo, from the Resident Engineer, stating the willingness of the Government to hand the race over to the Council, which I enclose. I have, &c., John Websteb, Engineer. Mr Mathias moved—“ That this Council accepts the control of the Malvern Waterworks, and that the engineer be instructed to take over the same from the Government.” Mr Lee seconded the motion, which was agreed to. ~Mr Webster, who was in attendance, had an interview with the Council, and explained his suggestions as to the future construction of the race. After a lengthy discussion of a conversational character, the following resolutions were carried That the Government be requested to give permission to the Council to pse a portion of the Railway and Tramway Reserves, from the Kowai Pass to Sheffield j thence to Horndon Junction and to Kirwee, with a branch from Sheffield to Eolleston, for the purposes of the Malvern Water Race.” “ That this Council, understanding that all liabilities up to this date have been provided for, the Governor be requested to declare the Malvern Water Race to be vested in the Council under the Public Works Act, 1876.” “That the legal adviser of the Council bo requested to prepare a form of agreement with the owners of the property through which the bed of the old creek pusses to allow the use of the creek temporarily for the purposes of a water-race, binding them not to divert the water for irrigation, except by leave of the Council, and giving the Council power to enter upon the lands of such owners for the purpose of repairing the works. That the engineer be requested to prepare specifications. for confract No. 3, from the old river bod to the vicipity of the East Malvern Road Board office, and that tetidera bo invited for the execution of such contract so soon as the consent of the Government shall have been obtained to the use of the railway and tramway reserves.”

3LAUQ-HTEB-HOUSE INSPECTOfI’S BEPOBT.

The report of the Inspector of Slaughterhouses for the month was read. He reported that the slaughter-houses in the Christchurch 'district were in a c*ean condition. Five applications for licenses had been received, upon which the inspector reported favorably. After some discussion,

Mr Mathias moved—“ That the inspector be instructed to fake proceedings in cases where notice has been sent to furnish returns, &c., and has not been at tended to, and that a notice be inserted in the papers to the effect that after one week from the date, all perpooa infringing the Act will be prosecuted,''

Mr McMillan seconded the motion,” After some discussion the provision that notice should be inserted in the papers was struck out and the resolution as amended agreed to. Licenses wore granted to the following personß .—Thos. Patrick (renewal), Thos. Townsend, junior (renewal) ; A. E. Fulton (new), W. Hellewell (new), Clarkson Bros, (renewal), subject to the provisions of the Act respecting notice and objections being complied with, centeal cemeteey. The Council then proceeded to consider the offer of an additional piece of land for the central cemetery. It was resolved “ That so soon as the body of trustees shall have been appointed, the matter of purchase shall be referred to them for their recommendation, supposing this offer to be renewed.” GLENTUNNEL BBIDGE. A report from Mr Dobson as to the proposed bridge over the Selwyn at Glentunnel was read. It was decided to send a copy of the report to the South Malvern, Rakaia, and Coleridge Road Boards for their information. POUND AT DUNSANDEL. A letter was read from Mr John Henry on behalf of the residents of Dunsandel, asking that a public pound should be declared in the township, and pointing out that a suitable yard could be obtained, the owner of which would act as poundkeeper if appointed. It was decided to inform the applicants that it would be better for them to apply through the Road Board of their district. COUETENAY EEOEEATION QEOUNDS. A letter was read from the Courtenay Road Board, asking that ten acres of a planting reserve should be alienated for a recreation reserve. Mr Mathias moved that the names of the proposed trustees for the recreation reserve and the application bo forwarded to the General Government in the ordinary way. Mr McMillan'seconded the motion, which was agreed to. LYTTELTON DOMAIN BOAED. With regard to the application of the Lyttelton Domain Board for £IOO to be put on the estimates, it was resolved to reply that there was no funds available for the purpose. FOBD3MAN AT THE EAKAIA. Mr Lee brought under the notice of the Council the necessity of a fordsman _ being appointed at the Rakaia river, near the island. He thought that if the Council would grant £SO a year, the fordsman might be appointed, he being allowed to make a certain charge. After some further discussion it was resolved—“ That the Council agrees to contribute a sum not exceeding £25 per annum towards the payment of a fordsman at the Rakaia, provided the Ashburton Council contributes a like sum. The Ashburton Council to be asked to recommend a scale of foes to be charged by the fordsman,” The Council then adjourned.