ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2012, 5 August 1880, Page 4

ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

The usual monthly meating of the above Council was held on Wednesday. Present— Messrs W. O. Walker (chairman), fl. 8. Coster, D. Cameron, J. Grigg, T. Bullock, J. Jackson. The chairman road a statement of the business to be submitted to the Council. He had sent a letter to the Minister for Pnblio Works calling attention to the fact that some of the planking of the Ringitata traffic bridge was rotten, and asking the matter to be immediately looked to, as it was dangerous. The chairman of the Mount Hutt Boad Board had asked whether the Council had power, or would have power under the new Waterworks Bill, to levy rates on properties outside the district proposed to be supplied with water, and ho had replied that under the proposed Bill an estimate would have to bo made ; and the cast of the scheme so apportioned to the district included that all interest, Binking fund, &c, would have to bo provided by the distriot, and therefore no necessity could arise for a general rate. Such an estimate, besides being such aa to satisfy the ratepayers, who cDuld roject it if they chose, must also satisfy the subscribers to the loan. He thought that no possible contingency can involve the necessity of a general rate, though perhaps the Council -would have, as it had at present, to strike a general rate. Considering that the Council represented ratepayers throughout the whole country, there was no reason to fear a general rate. The Selwyn County Council had written to the Government endoreing the Council's application for a further grant to complete the southern approaoh to the Bakaia gorge bridge, but he had learnt that Government would not accede to the request. The engineer's report wa3 read to the effect that the bridge over tho Ashburton river at Pudding hill was all but finished. Operations for constructing the Pudding hill dam were suspended during the first fortnight of the month, owing to the flooded state of the river, but since good progress has been made with the work. The pound at Methven and the south approaches to the Bakaia gorge bridge were completed. The contracts for drainage at Winchmore were fininhed, with the exception of Mr Arthur Devery's, which would be completed in a few days. He would recommend the opening up of the creek as far as rural section 21401 in connection with this drainage, as from its present disconnected form the flood water got out on the roads. The contractors for the Tinwald drain asked for an extension of twenty-six weeks' time to finish their work. The drainage near Wheeler's was being proceeded with on a somewhat modified line, so as to suit the requirements of the district. The drainage near Bell and Dawson's roads and the bridge over the South Ashburton at Mount Bomers were completed. The Wheatstone drainage was also far advanced, and would bo finished within a fortnight. A long discussion took plaoe respecting a claim sent in by Mr Jameß Butt, contractor for the South Ashburton bridge, Mount Somers. Mr Butt stated that in making out the estimates for the bridge he had omitted the largest item in it. and asked the Council to make good the loss he had thus sustained. He claimed £7OO, and the Counoil voted £372 to him. It was resolved that the suggestion of the engineer re willow planting be approved; hat the engineer report and give estimates of "Weldon's protective work ; that an extension of time be granted to the contractors for the Tinwald drain; that the erection of approaches to the South Ashburton bridge be left to the chairman. Mr D. Boore's offer of an acre of land for £ls for the approaches "was accepted. A letter was read from Nsw Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency offering five acres of land on rural section 26756 at £lO per acre and the cost of transfer, for the purpose of a filtering basin. A report was submitted by Mr D. Cameron and the engineer on the subject of flood water crossing near Winohmore and Methven, stating the works they had ordered to be carried out in that district, the cost of which will be about £330 Also a tracing, showing the plan they had adopted, for' giving Mr David Morris access to his land, cut off by a drain. This would necessitate the purchase of two perches of land from Mr A. Thompson, the value of which was small. Mr Thompson deolining to sell, they would recommend to acquire it under the Public Works Act. The suggestion was approved, provided Mr Morris was satisfied. A letter from the Upper Ashburton Boad Board was read relative to a line of road running through reserve 1122, and it was resolved to inform the Board that the Council considered it would he better for the Boad Board to acquire the land under the Public Works Act, as the Council did not intend to exercise any control over roads. The Council, however, approved of the proposed line. A letter from the Mount Somers Boad Board was read, acknowledging receipt of £27 10s, half-cost of constructing approaches to Taylor's Stream bridge, and suggesting that the Council should connect the bridge on the south side with the main road, and then apply to tho Boad Board for half the cost. The Council agreed to this, and resolved to .submit for consideration to the engineer the suggestion of leaving a space of one-third of an inch between the planks on Taylor's stream bridge, so as to allow dirt to fall through and give better foothold in frosty weather. A letter from the clerk to the Longbeaoh Boad Board was read in reference to drainage at Waterton. The matter was referred to the engineer for his consideration. The secretary to the Racing Club wrote asking for a grant of money for fencing, &0., the Ricecourao, out of the sum set apart for recreation reserves. The sum of £SO was granted, on the motion of Mr Grigg. Tracings of the proposed line of railway to Mount Somers, together with a request from the Mount Somers Boad Board that the Council should use its best endeavors to have Mr Triphook's survey adhered to, were submitted for consideration. After some discussion, Mr Bullock moved—" That the Government be requested to carry out the railway to Mount Somers according to Mr Triphook's survey." The motion not having obtained a seconder lapsed, and the Council declined to express an opinion as to which way the line should be carried on. The committee appointed to consider the advisability of giving a grant in aid of libraries reported that in the present state of the Council's finance they could not recommend tho Counoil to vole money for that purpose. ' The report was adopted. A letter from Mr John Boyle, contractor for fords on the MethvenOrange race was read, asking for allowance on the ground that when tendering for the work some of the material was on tho ground within 40 chains of the place, and fixed his price accordingly. The material was used by contractors for the south bank of the river works, and consequently he was under heavier expenses than he expected in carting material for the work. He estimated his loss at £B4, but the Council declined to entertain his application. Accounts to the amount of £4924 5s 2d were passed for payment. The following tenders were accented for erection of cattle yard :—Kelson and Cootes, £487 ; sheep yards, Page and Hodder, £169 9s lOd ; house, Muir and Rsid, £177; shingling, J. Griffin, £49 14i 8d ; approaches to Hinds bridge, Travurza, £67 10s; filter basin at Methven, N. Soland, £130; Point ferry house, T. Hughes, £8 10s.