ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2226, 16 April 1881, Page 4

ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

A special mooting of the above was held on Wednesday, to consider the question of the Eangitata bridge and water supply for the district between Ashburton and Eangitata. letter was read from Mr O. G. Tripp, chairman or Geraldine County Council, stating that Mr Wright had said he would be glad to tender for erecting the bridge for £6COO, according to Mr Higginson’s plan?. If so, would tho Ashburton County Council bo willing to keep the bridge in repair for a number of years ? As tho matter stood, the Geraldine County Council was not responsible for sixpence. Another letter, containing tho following reoolulion, was road—“ That the suggestion contained in tho resolution arrived at at, the conference between tho two Councils in roferonco to tho extension of the Eangitata bridge bo adopted by tho Council, and tho chairman bo authorised to submit the recommendation contained therein to tho Ashburton Council officially.” Mr Wright pointed out 'nuccunicics in both letters, and said they should bo answered. Tho Ashburton County Council, had dono everything they could to approach tho Geraldine County Council, but tiiey had not responded. A resolution to that effect was adopted. Mr Grigg brought up tho report of tho committee appointed to consider the reply to be forwarded to the Geraldine Council. It stated that the bridge was placed under the control of tho Ashburton Council on the 13th of Juno, 1873, and in December, 1878, that Council wrote to the Geraldine Council, inviting them to meet on the bridge. Tho Geraldine County Council not having brought the Act into force, referred tho matter to tho Eoud Boards, and only Mr Tripp attended, and no agreement could bo arrived at. Having thus the re sponoibility thrown upon them, the Ashburton County Council sought the advice 1 the highest engineering authority in

the colony. M> Higginson prepared plans and specifications, and they sent to England for tho requisite iron work. Finding they would have a difficulty in compelling tho Road Boards to pay half cost, tho Ashburton County Council wrote to tho Minister of Public Works, asking Government to oil her gel legal power to compel tho Geraldine County Council to pay its share, take over the bridge, and deduct tho coat from both counties, or that Government toko over tt e bridge and do what they thought fit in tho matter. To this tho Government replied ( hat the bridge would bo carried out under the supervision of tho Engineer for the Middle Island, and tho cost would be borne equally by both counties, and in this position of joint liability the work had still remained. When tho Geraldine County Council brought the Act into force, the Government invited the Aahburcon County Council to resume control of the bridge. Thus every effort was made to obtain tho co-operation of the Geraldine County Council, failing which tho Ashburton County Council proceeded with tho work, under tho supervision of a competent engineer, and now tho proposal received from the Geraldine County Council was to set aside Mr Higginaon’s plans and adopt those of some other engineer. Tho committee regretted that the circumstances recapitulated deprived the Ashburton County Council of tho pleasure and satisfaction of sharing the responsibility of the work with a neighbouring council, at least equally interested. They could not advise that the Council should consent to seek the services of a different engineer, and sot aside their carefully selected plans, and thereby incur further liabilities unnecessarily. Tho report was adopted, and ordered to be forwarded to tho Geraldine County Council. The engineer’s report and plans for a water supply for the district between Ashburton and tho Rangitata were considered. After examination of the plans, it was resolved—“ That the scheme of water supply for tho plains between Ashburton and Rangitata proposed by tho engineer in his report of the 6th of April, from the Limestone creek branch of the Ashburton, bo approved ; the water for the Rangitata district to be flumed across tho River Hinds, near tho forks; the cost of the entire work to bo £6OOO ; tho landowners’ consent to bo obtained, and a similar agreement in the case of those outside the rating district, like those in tho Rukaia district, bo made for their signature. A letter from the Mayor of Ashburton was read, stating that over £6OO was duo to the borough ns its share of the land fund, and agreeing to take £SOO in lieu thereof. After considerable discussion it was resolved —“That a committee, consisting of tho chairman, Mr Wright and Mr Jackson, bo appointed to confer with the Mayor re surplus land fund, and also to arrange tho proportion of tho coat of tho hospital maintenance.” A letter was received from the poundkooper at Waterton, stating that tho pound was in want of repairs. The matter was referred to the engineer to report upon, and tho poundkeepor was instructed to attend to the repairs. Tho following tenders for tho Ohertsey water-race were accepted For contract No. 1, Mr Y. Soland, Is per chain ; No. 2, Mr J. Quigley, 2s per chain ; No. 3, Mr L. Maugham, Is 10s per chain, and No. 4, Mr L. Maugham, Is 7d per chain. For fencing the eattlo yards, Mr Peter Rattray’s tender of £56 9s was accepted; and for ploughing the cattle yards the tender of Mr Smithel at 7s per acre. The mooting then adjourned.