ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1934, 6 May 1880, Page 3

ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

The usual monthly meeting of the above body was held onWedncsday. Present—Messrs W. O. Walker (chairman), Bulloob, Jackson, and Cameron. The Chairman stated that notices had been issued to ratepayers affected by the Waterworks’ Bill, and explained that the B 11 was intended to obtain power to raise a loan of £IOO,OOO, to be secured by a separate rate on the district, for which the water scheme is to be provided. It might be considered a large loan when compared with the area for which water was required, about 130,000 acres, but the loan asked for was in excess of the requirements, and it might be raised by the Council forthwith, and it the separate rate was insufficient to pay the usual charges, the deficiency might be made up out of the general county fund. The separate rate was limited to Gd per acre, and before the separate rate could be struck power should be obtained from the ratepayers to raise the loan. The amount of the tax was unknown, but the limit was 6d per acre. How much lees it might be could not be told at present. Some loan would be required, and he (the chairman) would express a warm hope that ratepayers would not be scared by a mistaken notion that the Bill would saddle them with an enormous loan. Not a sixpence could be rais'd without the sanction of the ratepayers, to whom every opportunity would be given for an expiession of their opinion. The Borough Council had proposed to sell the iron pipes imported for the Borough water works, and he would be obliged if the Council, as the donors of the fund, should express its wishes as to what should be done with the proceeds of the sale. The Council should be consulted as to whether the proceeds should be returned to the special fund from which it came. The impounded land fund had been allocated to the various Road Boards. The leases of some of the reserves were just expiring, and it would be well to deal with them.

The engineer’s report, which was read, was to the following effect:—“ The contractors had made good progress in the drainage works in the Wheatstone district, and also near Bell and Dawson’s road. He had considered the drainage at Osborne’s road, and estimated the expense at £9O. Owing to his tme having been occupied in getting out the levels for the plains water supply for Parliamentary purposes, he hud not had time to reconsider the flood water question at the Bakaia side of the plains, but he was of opinion that the principle of drainage laid down in the report previously furnished was the best. The most feasible point of discharge for the great body of the water was Barr Hill, where the heaviest damage is done. It would be advisable to confine the flow of the water to some extent at several places above and below Barr H 11, but a wide drainage area should be reserved along the entire length, as the greater fall on the side would tend to the destruction of a narrow channel. The large filtering area near the old post office at Methven would absorb a great deal of the flood water, but should this be disapproved he should calculate upon larger outlets at Barr Hill. The contract for the approaches to South Bakaia Gorge bridge would be finished within a month. The dam at Pudding Hill was not gone on with, as the contractor could not obtain cement, but this difficulty was now got over, and the work would go on at once. The ironbark timber for North Ashburton river bridge had arrived at Lyttelton. The pile driving for South Ashburton bridge was finished, and the work otherwise well advanced. The bridge over the North Ashburton river had been satisfactorily completed, and all the works connected with the Forks protective works had been finished.”

The following resolutions were carried on the recommendations made in the engineer’s report : —“ That the question of drainage on the Bell and Dawson road be postponed, and that the culverts at Wheatstone and Bell and Dawson’s drain be left in the hands of the engineer with power to arrange for the work. That the question of storm water on the South Bakaia Plains be postponed till next meeting.” “ That the engineer be authorised to call for tenders for the Tinwald drain.” “ That the engineer be authorised to expend £SO on alterations in the Bakaia Gorge road.” “ That the matter of making Digby’s bridge sheep-proof be left in the hands of the engineer.” “ That the engineer be instructed to report on the cost of planting willows at the foot of protective works.” A letter was road from the Solwyn County Council in reference to the Bakaia Gorge bridge, to which the chairman was authorised to send the following reply—“ The Council considers £SOO may be fairly allotted to each side of the river. On the south side tenders are accepted for £1395 17s, with extras, which will probably amount to £ISOO. Would it not be prudent to wait till contracts are completed before any other work is undertaken ; then, if the Selwyn County Council wishes to undertake the western approach this Council would gladly see the balance of £SOOO apportioned that way.” The following correspondence was read : From Mr Leach, valuator for the county, explaining that owing to an oversight he had neglected to make a declaration before a justice of the peace, and that it was owing to his inability to get Christian names in full that he was compelled to give only their initials. He hoped the Council would deal fairly with him with regard to payment. The matter was referred to the judge of the assessment court.

From the secretary to the Ashburton Library, asking for a grant for the maintenance of the library and the purchase of books. It was resolved that the matter will receive consideration when the question of public libraries within the county is considered.

From the Selwyn County Council, stating that as the Counties Act was not in force in that county when the £IOO,OOO was detained, the Road Boards were the proper bodies to make representations to the Government respecting certain moneys forming part of the £IOO,OOO land fund. From Mr J. Ward, secretary to the Domain Board, asking for a grant for planting, &0., around the hospital and other works connected with the domain. It was resolved that £IOO be granted, on condition that half of it be spent in the neighborhood of the hospital. The committee appointed to report on drainage in Upper Ashburton and Mount Somers submitted their report, and it was adopted. The hospital committee’s report was read, and the appointment of Mr and Mrs Madden as master and matron of the hospital was confirmed.

Some discussion took place in reference to Digby’s bridge, and ultimately it was resolved—“ That the Upper Ashburton Rood Board be asked to pay half the cost of Digby’s bridge, amounting to a sum of £2OOO, instead of £3OOO, which the Road Board had promised as their contribution to the bridge.” Messrs Bullock, Grigg, and the chairman were appointed a committee to superintend the planting of the surroundings of the County Council’s offices.

On the motion of Mr Cameron, seconded by Mr Jackson, it was resolved—“ To devote the sum of £3OO granted to the Mount Somers road, to making roads in Alford forest, on condition that the Mount Somers Road Board spend an equal sum.” It was resolved—“ That the Government bo requested to advise the Governor to prohibit by Order in Council the importation of cattle from Australia to the South Island, to prevent the introduction of pleuro-pneumonia.”

The question of selling the borough waterpipes having been discussed, the Council resolved unanimously—“ That it was not desirble that the pipes should be sold at present.” Messrs Grigg, Bullock, and the chairman were appointed a committee to accept tenders for Wheatstone drainage extension.

The tender (£199 10s) of Messrs Nelson and Court for the erection of a pound at Methvon was accepted. The Council then adjourned.