ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2549, 9 June 1882, Page 4

ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

The usual monthly meeting of this Council was held at the Council Chambers, Baring square, on Wednesday. Present —Messrs \V. O. Walker (chairman), T. Bullock, A. MoFarlane, Lambie, H. T. Winter. The Chairman stated that since last m-'et ing he had received the resignations of Mr Hugo Friedlander, one of tho councillors for the Ashburton riding, and that of Mr D. Cameron, one of the councillors for the siding of Mount Somers. The returning officer reported that Mr Thomas Taylor had been elected in the place of Mr Friedlander and Mr A. MoFarlane in the place of Mr Cameron. The chairman had received several answers to circulars issued to the County Councils in this island with reference to the collection of grain statistics. The Selwyn and Akaroa Councils were the only ones up to the present who had stated their willingness to 00-operate in the matter. The Bruce Council had intimated that they would take no action in the matter, as the returns would be too late to be of any value for that part of the colony. A letter from the Colonial Secretary on the subject would be placed before them, asking tho Council to explain how_ they proposed to get the statistics, especially from persons owning private threshing machines. A fetter from the Commissioner of Crown Bands would be laid before the Council, stating that Mr Bolleston would consider the proposal re the contributions for water races going through Crown lands, and in the mean-■-time would tho Council point out any blocks pf land likely to be affected thereby. The planting committee would report to the Council during the meeting.

The engineer reported with reference to the Ashburton and Bakaia plains water supply that the water races over tho entire district were acting efficiently, and),the service, with the exception of a short distance at tho lower end of forts of E line, was now reaching the lower end near the sea. The main race from Mount Harding to Burhill might have to be enlarged to supply the branches below tho main lino of railway. A portion of the original creek in the Pudding Hill district should be enlarged without delay, as an overflow was taking place on Mr Henderson’s land. The extension of the storm channel forming the line of Chapman’s Creek should be put in hand now, as the races were liable to injury during rainy weather. In several instances owners were ploughing up too close to tho races, causing loss of water and damage to the flood banks. The auxiliary supply works from the north Ashburton river to Methven were satisfactory. Mr Dovory was about to start on other sections of earthwork, and no time would be lost in pushing on the work of this main channel. The engineer would prepare plans for the pro posed race for Messrs Power, Saville, and others, and tenders would bo called, so that the branch might be available as soon as the main works near the river were completed. The owners below the terminal points of this branch wore looking forward to its completion, with a view of extending it themselves after passing through the Springfields property. The works for the Wakanui Flat supply scheme were on the point of completion, and would have been opened ere this but for the unfavorable weather. AshburtonBangitata Water Supply—The flaming over the north and south branches of the Hinds river was completed and tho water turned on in the district between the Hinds and Bangitata. The main races near the Hinds were being charged, after which the third race would be opened. Tho water was running freely down about seven miles, and no stoppage was anticipated till it passed Maronan. The loop-line from Mayfield downwards was in course of construction, and would be opened when the contributions from owners were received. Good progress was being made with the beadworks at Limestone oreek, and the branch to connect with the main scheme should be finished in about three weeks. Good progress was also being mode with the works in the gorge of the South Hind*. From the base of the hills at Mount Alto downwards the water-races were completed. Messrs Forkes and McGregor were getting on with the fords, but greater spe.d must be obtained in order to be ready as soon as the head works in the gorge were completed. Tho race nearest tho Hinds was now running splendidly to the lower end of tho race, where it terminated in a gully a short -distance from the main line of railway. From this to the railway a small race must bo cut, and the engineer now asked for the Council’s authority to call for tenders for this, as well as for the proposed branch from this channel to supply the extension asked for by Messrs Aioken, Ohatmos* proprietors, and others. The Willowby extension races were more than half finished, bnt the water from the Westerfield district was not likely to come down to fill them. The water had not advanced more than three miles during the past month, but might be expected at Winslow in about three months. Begarding the branch line between Lismare and Ma. ronan, arrangements bad been made with "nearly all the owner* a? to the route, and they were to meet shortly to consider the question of expense. Some iron caps and a wooden oapsill had been fixed in position on the Bangitata traffic bridge to show the method of attachment and superstructure, and the remaining work could be carried out by ooutraot as soon as the Council were in a position to authorise its being proceeded with, A portion of the old decking had been repaired pending the arrival of the new decking from Oxford, With reference to the representations of Mr Graham and others regarding the Xinwald creeks, everything was now clone which equity could suggest to distribute the supply. The work of clearing out the creeks should rest with the owners, and they should be jointly responsible for the expense. Tho oreek passing through Mr Hourton’a property required to bo enlarged and an auxiliary straight channel made for half a mile alongside the field fence. There was a drain already there which only required enlargement, and the old creek bed would be available in time of flood. Considering the limited supply in summer from the oreek a better service would be obtained by cutting a now race. Flans and sections had been prepared of tho proposed alterations to the approaches to the Ashburton bridge, which were now submitted for the consideration of the Oonneil. The proposal was to widen and shorten the north approach by having the roadway further removed from the railway, shifting the gates, &c., from the end of the bridge to the bottom approach, With the exception of providing fresh shingle for the road the present material oonld be utilised, so as to give a width of 27ft instead of 17ft, as at present. The assistant engineer approved of the scheme, and he (the engineer) understood the railway department would meet the expense of putting in the cattle stops, shifting gates, signal boxes, Ac., with the exception of the earthwork, the cost of which would have to be defrayed by the Council or other public bodies interested in the improvements. The cost of the earthwork would not exceed £BO.

With reference to the South Bakaia water ■upply it liras resolved that the engineer’s recommendations re the enlargement of the race through Mr Henderson’s land be adopted. It was also resolved that the extension of the storm water channel be granted, and that the engineer report as to persona ploughing too near the water races. It was resolved that the Wakanni Boad Board be informed that the balance of the guarantee by the residents in the district towards the Wakanni Flat water supply, should be paid, and that as soon as this was done the water would be turned on.

It was resolved with regard to the Ashburton and Bangitata water supply (Mayfield line) that the water be not turned on till the total amounts of cost be paid; also that the application from the Cbatmoss proprietors for water bo deferred until their contributions towards the Hinds river improvements be psid. It was resolved “ That the engineer be instructed to prepare plans for the Bangitata traffic bridge snperstrusture, and call for tenders as soon as possible.”

With reference to the approaches to the Ashburton bridge, it was decided that the engineer’s report on the matter be forwarded to the local bodies interested, asking them to contribute three-fourths of the cost of the work, the Council to bear the remainder of the cost.

The Chairman read the report of the planting r’committee. The committee recommended that in view of the difficulty of procuring suitable reserves, proprietors be invited to plant along the lines of the water races, each land being virtually vested in the Council, the Council to find the trees and the proprietors to be bound to fence to the satisfaction of the Council. If this proposal wore carried the committee would ask for power to invite tenders for a supply of trees, and

flx condition of fencing, Ac. The committee olio asked for a continuance of authority to proceed with planting and conserving the blocks already planted and obtaining other blocks for similar purposes. The report was adopted as read. A letter was read from the caretaker of the Ashburton Domain to the chairman of the Domain Board. The caretaker stated that with the County OounoiTa contribution of £l2O the domain could be made almost s, lfsupporting, and the cultivation of trees could be proceeded with more vigorously, and a much greater number would thus be available for sale, the return from which would enable the Domain Board to improve and make the domain more attractive. It was resolved that the Ashburton Domain Board be supported, and that the details of planting bo left in the hands of the planting committee. The Wakanui Hoad Board wrote, asking for a grant in aid of planting ; also with reference to gravel reserves. The question of a grant was referred to the planting committee. A number of accounts were passed for payment. The questions contained in the Government circular with reference to local government were considered. It was resolved that answers thereto be forwarded. A return was ordered to be prepared of the money expended in the different Boad Board districts of the county, A considerable amount of business of a minor nature was transacted, and the Council adjourned,