ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1958, 3 June 1880, Page 4

ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

The usual monthly meeting of the above Council was held yesterday. Present— Messrs. W. 0. Walker (chairman), J. Grigg, Cameron, Jackson, Bullock, and Coster. Tie Chairman stated the business to come before the meeting. The engineer’s report, which was to the -following effect, was read : The Wheatstone drain was completed, and the drain near Ball’s and Davis’s was finished, but he would ask for authority to extend the drain towards Osborn’s road. The Winchmore and Methven drain was progressing satisfactorily, with the exception of No. 5 contract, which was in the hands of Mr Sheppard. Bad weather had interfered with the progress of the South Eakaia Gorge Bridge, but the earthwork was finished, and it was getting on satisfactorily. The construction of the drain at Pudding Hill had been interfered with by floods in the river, and the contractors for the North Ashburton Biver bridge were going on energetically with their contract. The North Ashburton bridge at Mount Somers would be finished in about six weeks, and he would ask for authority to call for tenders for making the approaches to it. With regard to the flood water drainage at Eakaia and Methven, he did not see any reason for deviating from the principle of the drain ■proposed in the report. There was no doubt that considerable risk would be incurred by leading a large volume of water in a concrete shoot over a terrace of such a height and of such a shingly nature as that at Barrhill, bnt there was no more favorable point of discharge unless the whole volume of water was to be led farther down the plain and discharged at Eakaia. The Mount Hntt Eoad Board was recognising the utility of the principle of absorption by leading the road drainage at nearly equi-distant points into the gravel pits, and by this means getting rid of nearly all the surface water arising after ordinary rains, and as the filter basin proposed near Methven might be expected to give a beneficial result in proportion to the very large area of shingle proposed to be laid bare, he would recommend the adoption of such a basin near the outlet of Patten’s Creek on the site previously suggested, and he would think it advisable in the meantime to defer the works at B irrhill, until the action of such a basin was fully tested. It may bo that the adoption of two or three of such basins placed at suitable sites would obviate the necessity of discharge over the high terraces into the river by works which in the first place would be more expensive, and the maintenance of which would cost more than it would take to keep the filtering basins in serviceable order. At any rate seeing that floods, such as took place last season, are not of frequent occurrence, the alternative proposed may on that account be more worthy of consideration. It would he practicable in some places to distribute the flood water in channels at varying distances apart, but as these would discharge into the natural depressions which convey the flood water, it would serve no purpose to divert the water from its natural channel. He estimated that a sum of £is might be profitably expended in planting river beds with willows, for protective works.

The following resolutions anent the Engineer’s report wen curried :—“That the Engineer be instructed to make out estimates for the fencing required to the roads in the Ashburton county to the Bekaia Gorge bridge, and forward the same to the Selwyn County Council, asking their consent ho the work being done.” “ That the Engineer bo asked to examine as to making a temporary connection with the end of the road and river bed at the fiakaia Gorge, and, if it can be done for a small sum, to let the work without delay.” “ That the Engineer get the written permission of owners of properties through which drains have been made to have the drains proclaimed public drains.” “ That tenders for the approaches to Hood’s crossing bridge be called for.” “ That the engineer call for tenders for a modified storm-water filtering basin at South Bakaia Plains, as suggestsd, and that the chairman and engineer see to the arrangements as to land.” “ That the engineer be instructed to proceed with planting willows in river beds for protective works, os suggested by him.” A letter was read, enclosing resolutions passed at a meeting held at Mount Somers re the construction of the railway, and asking the Council to use their influence in having the survey made by Mr Triphook adhered to. The Chairman said that all they knew about the matter was that a certain line had been laid out by Mr Triphook, and that it was proposed to deviate from that. They had written to the Government, and a reply had been received that a slight deviation was to be made, and that tracings of the new line would be forwarded. They bad not received these tracings yet, and consequently were not in a position to discuss the matter. Mr Jackson thought the best plan would be to carry the Tinwald lino to Mount Peel and the Bakaia-Methven line to Mount Somers.

Mr Bollook felt bound to give expression to the feeling which existed in the district concerning the matter. He entirely disagreed with the remarks of the last speaker. If Mr Triphook’s survey was not adhered to the coal, building stone, and timber in the district would have to go to Eakaia before it could he brought to Ashburton. The Council had years ago approved of Mr Triphook’s survey, and he was now sorry to find any member opposed to it, Mr Coster thought that the Tinwald line would never serve Mount Somers as well as the Eakaia line. He agreed with Mr Jackson that there was a large area of land which would be benefited by the railway being taken to Mount Peel, and that the timber of Mount Peel was superior to that of Alford Forest. The Chairman said that they could come to no definite result with the amount of information before them. He would, however, remind Mr Coster and Mr Jackson that the line as surveyed by Mr Triphook was the continuation of a line for which money had been voted. From a financial point of view he thought that line should be carried to Mount Somers, as unless it had the coal, stone, and timber in that district to carry, he did not see how it could be a financial success. Alter eomo further discussion, it was resolved, on the motion of Mr Bullock—“ That the Government be written to, asking for a tracing showing the deviation proposed in the Mount Somers railway, and that the Monnt Somers letter be then considered.” A letter was read from the South Eakaia Eoad Board, pointing out that there wore no registered brands for sheep and cattle in the county. It was resolved—“ That the attention of the Colonial Secretary be drawn to clause 17, Trespass Ordinance, and that the Council be furnished with necessary copies of the book of brands.”

From Mr E. G. Wright, stating that, as he could not be present at the meeting, it would he necessary for the Council to appoint another treasurer. Mr W. 0. Walker was appointed treasurer. From the Wakanui Eoad Board, stating that the rating roll was invalid, owing to the valuer having omitted to sign the necessary declaration, and enclosing a petition to His Excellency the Governor asking him to validate the irregularities under section 68 of the Eating Act. On the motion of Mr Bullock, it was resolved to write to the Colonial Secretary, asking him to comply with the request of the Wakanui Eo-d Board. His Worship the Mayor of Ashburton and Mr Bullock waited on the Council with regard to the amount of tho impounded land fund claimed by the Borough Council. The Mayor, who acted as spokesman, urged that the borough was entitled to a sum of £6OO out of the funds. The Borough Council had received a certain sum from the Wakanui Eoad Board, which would have to be refunded. He also asked for a sum for planting purposes. After a good deal of discussion, the subject was deferred until certain returns were submitted.

An application was received from the Ashhurton library committee, asking the Council to grant a liberal sum towards tho library, in order to procure the more expensive books of reference. Another application to the same effect was received from Waterton.

Mr Bullock supported the application, and moved—“ That a sum of £SO be granted to Ashburton, £25 to Eakaia, and £ls to Waterton.”

Mr Coster suggested to sot aside £IOO for libraries, to be divided amongst all the libraries in the county. Mr Grigg would not like to vote any such sum until he knew whether other Councils had done the same.

The Chairman suggested the adjournment of the question until next meeting, to ascertain their financial position. If the Council could deal handsomely with these institutions ho would be very happy to do so, as they were certainly deserving of support. Mr Bullock withdrew his motion, and tho matter was accordingly postponed. An application was read from the Domain Board asking for a grant for effecting improvements in the domain.

Mr Coater pointed out that £4OO had already been voted to the Ashburton Domnin, £l5O to Timvald, £7O to Ohertaey. This left £360 to be divided, and he hoped the

Chertsey vote would be made up to the same amount. It was resolved to grant £SO to the Ashburton Domain, and £l5O to the South Eakaia Domain Board. The hospital committee’s report was read, and also some letters recommending the appointment of a visiting surgeon, or a resident surgeon, with the other medical men of the town as honorary surgeons. It was decided to postpone the appointment of a surgeon until a reply had been received from the Waimate Hospital committee wi h regard to the general management of their hospital. Tenders having been opened for several works, and some accepted, the meeting adjourned at 5.30.