ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2090, 4 November 1880, Page 3

ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

The usual monthly meeting of the above Council was held Wednesday. Present —Messrs W. O. Walker (chairman), E. G. Wright, E. 8. Coster, J. Jackson, A. Saunders, D. Cameron, T. Bullock and J. Qrigg. A deputation, consisting of Messrs Graham and Carter, waited on the Council to urge the claim of the Tinwald-Winslow part of the Longbeach Boad Board to be formed into a separate Boad Board district. Mr Graham, who acted as spokesman, read a statement to the following effect: —ln reply to the statistics supplied by the Longbeach Boad Board, they would submit that they were fully aware the Governor had nothing to do with the assessment of land, but they maintained that the Longbeach Boad Board could and would exercise a deal of influence as to the favorable reception or otherwise of any objection against the valuations which might be lodged. It was well understood that Judges of Assessment Courts leant to official valuations, especially when supported by the Chairman of a Boad Board ; and as in the present case they were the production of the clerk to the Board, the Chairman would support them. Many ratepayers lodged objections, but their actions were rendered nugatory by the Longbeach Bead Board causing the roll to be thrown out. They then did not think that to appeal again would be worth the trouble, as there was only a small chance of success. It would bo found that the Tinwald • Winslow district was assessed at 70 per cent, higher than the Longbeach district, which latter is admitted to be by far the best laud. The Tin-wald-Winslow district was assessed at 11s 7d per acre, and the Longbeach district at 6a 8d per acre. It was true that the Tinwald township was included in the valuation, but taking that away the valuation was still 2s 7d, or 38 per cent, more than the Longbeach estate, the property of the chairman of the Board. It was also worthy of note that one-third of the Losgbeaoh estate was valued at 5s to 5s 6d per acre, while outside valuers assessed it at 10s per acre. This proved their petition to be accurate when it stated that the Tinwald district was valued at a higher rate than the Longbeach swamps. With regard to the assertion of the Longbeach Board to the effect that the roads in the township of Tinwald wore not yet dedicated, they would admit that to be the case in the interior of the township ; but there were several houses fronting on the public roads which should receive the attention of the Board. As regarded the so-called statistics of the Board, they (the deputation) applied to the clerk, and he told them that the statistics were merely an estimate of the costs of roads. He produced a sackful of vouchers and old books.

which would take a week to arrange, and another week to classify into an accurate statement, and so they thought it better to deal with the statistics previously given by tho Board. They objected to be burdened with the maintenance of tho Main South road, because it was common to the entire district. Special grants for main roads were given by the late Provincial Government, and if these moneys were not devoted to their legitimate purposes it was no fault of the petitioners. Tho net amount fairly chargeable to the Tinwald-Winslow district was £6576 ss, which was much less than the amount charged. They would coll the Council’s attention to tho extreme incompleteness and one-sided character of the Long Beach Boad Board’s statistics. They gave no details. To sum up the whole question, they claimed separation because they were more heavily rated than the rest of the district; their special wants were not attended to, and they thought themselves able to manage their own affairs more advantageously than under present arrangements. After a short diaouosion, it was agreed to postpone the case until a report had been received from the clerk of the Longbeaoh Board, The deputation then retired. The engineer’s report was then read. It recommended rails to be put on Hood’s crossing bridge, and it was agreed to do so. The engineer was instructed to press for the completion of the Padding Hill protective work contracts. lie test channel for water supply along the Mothven railway, it was resolved to ask'.the Road Board for permission. The engineer recommended to place tho south approach of the Bakaia Gorge bridge under the charge of the Mount Hutt Boad Board. The suggestion was approved. A letter was road from the secretary to tho Ashburton Agricultural and Pastoral Association, recommending certain alterations to be made in the cattle yards built by the Council. It was resolved—“ That the alterations be made, provided the association pay 10 per cent, on the total cost of the yards os rent, but that £IOO a year was not 10 per cent, on the cost of the yards.” The Chairman and Messrs Wright and Saunders were appointed a committee to arrange with tho railway engineer re the closing of the Ashburton railway bridge daring the time it is being replanked. A letter was read from Mr J. Butt, asking for extras on a contract, and it was resolved that the Council could not depart from their previous decision. It was resolved to purchase another acre at the same price as the original acre, for tho Mount Somers pound, and the clerk and engineer were instructed to forward the information required. Mr Little was appointed poundkeeper at the Hinds, and a resolution was passed instructing all poundkeepers to advertise all animals impounded. It was resolved—“ That notice he given to the pound-keeper at Methven, stating that the County Council has received notice that certain horses belonging to Mr Brown were impounded by him, and that certain charges were made by him for the same. This Council request that an explanation may be given of the matter referred to.”

JRe application for a reserve for a cemetery at Winslow, it was resolved to ask whether a portion of reserve 1784 had already been set aside for that purpose. The committee appointed to report re charges for stock entered in the cattle yards, submitted that the chargee were the same as those at Addington, with the exception of 2d per score for sheep and 2d each for pigs. The report was adopted. Accounts to the amount of £1077 13s 5d were passed for payment. It was resolved to hold the ordinary meeting on December 24tb, instead of 25th. It was resolved—“ That the chairman and Messrs Grigg and Coster be appointed a committee to consider the new railway tariff and recommend to the Government any alteration they may deem desirable.” On the motion of Mr Wright, the resolu-; tion suspending the waterworks operations, passed on the 2nd of September, was rescinded. It was agreed to sot aside £IOOO for planting. After considerable discussion it was resolved, on the motion of Mr Wright—“ That for all purposes connected with the distribution of the impounded land fund, the borough of Ashburton should be deemed a part of the old Ashburton Boad Board district during the period in which the said fund accrued; and that proportion thereof payable on this basis to each Boad Board in the county be ascertained prior to the distribution of the balance of the said fund, with a view to the final settlement of the question.” The engineer was instructed to proceed with the test drain through the plains from Chapman’s creek. The Council then adjourned.