ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2600, 7 August 1882, Page 3

ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

The usual monthly meeting of the above Oouncil wis held at the Oouncil Ohambcn on Wednesday. Present—Messrs. W. 0. Walker (chairman), T. Bullock, Lambie, A. McFarlaue, H. D. Winter, Jackson, Taylor.

The Chairman stated that since the last meeting he had accepted a tender of £ll7 7s for widening the approaches to the Ashburton bridge, and all despatch would be used in order to get the bridge open again for rood traffic. The matter of rescinding a resolution re the non-collecting of the rates on the Eakaia and Ashburton Farts Railway would be a matter for consideration. With refer* once to the tender for the bridge approaches, the Chairman stated that it was in excess of the engineer’s estimate, but on account of the great importance of the work he had resolved to accept Mr Silloock’s tender, so that the work could be put in hand at once. At the request of the Langbeach Boad Board a public meeting had been called to consider the railway tariff, and a petition adopted for presentation to Parliament. Mr E. Q, Wright’s letter re a separate traffic bridge over the Ashburton River was also considered, and a resolution carried endorsing the letter, and requesting that a sum should be placed on the estimates sufficient to erect a separate traffic bridge.

The business done by the Chairman during the month, was approved. The engineer's report was read and dealt with.

A letter was received from Mr Boss, of Methven, complaining of the water from the Council's race overflowing on to hie land, and requesting the Council to remedy the overflow, otherwise it would be likely to cause damage to bis crops. The engineer was instructed to remedy the matter complained of. It was resolved that the chairman advertise for a ranger for the Bingitata water supply, as soon as the engineer advises on the same.

With reference to a petition from Mr Crony, Mr Shearer, and others, in regard to the Wheatstone drainage, the engineer recommended in his report; that a farther outlay ef money was not warranted at present, and the question of dealing with the petition was postponed for a month The calling for tenders for the Mount Somers stater supply was, in compliance with a recommendation in the engineer's report, postponed for consideration at next meeting, as the work could be undertaken to better advantage when there was less likelihood of the present frosty weather interfering with the progreat of the contemplated work. A list of the signatures of a number of gentlemen requiring additional works for increasing the Wakanui .flat water supply waa read. Mr Jaa. Cochrane was the only one of the farmers who had not signed the ncc seary deed, and this gentleman refuted to do so until the water was turned on. The Council decided not to turn the water on in the new races until all the persons interested had signed the deed of agreement and all the contributions due were paid.

It was resolved—“ That a branch line of the Eakaia water supply, near Ur Osborne’s property, be left for consideration by the water supply committee.” A petition from the ratepayers on the north, side of Wakanui Creek, presented by Mr Winter, was referred to the water supply committee.

The report of Mr Haslett, water ranger for the Aehburton-Bakaia plains, was read, givinT a list of defaulters and others who had neglected to put in field crossings and do other necessary works in connection with the water races. Mr Lambie asked that his notice of motion having reference to the rescinding cl » motion re the non-oolleotioa of tbs rates for the Eakaia and Ashburton Forks railway might be allowed to stand over till next meeting, and, on the motion of Mr Lambie, seconded by Mr McForlane, the request woe granted. Mr Jackson asked leave to amend hie notice of motion re granting subsidies to libraries, to the effect that a grant in aid be made to all districts in the county that have not already received grants in aid from the Government or County Connell, without reference to grants in aid made by the Board of Education, but similar to that already promised to the Ashburtcn Library. In speaking to the motion, Mr Jackson stated that the proposed grant to the Ashburton Library had caused a great deal of discussion amongst the ratepayers of the county, and he would like to see all libraries placed on a similar footing, Mr Lambie seconded the motion oe amended.

The Chairman pointed out that the proposed grant to the Ashburton library had isea made under vary exceptional circumstances, as it was not given as a subsidy to the library,'but as a grant in aid of tbs building fund. Mr Bullock spoke in favor of annual subsidies being voted to all libraries in the county, but in view of the present state oE the Council's finances he could not see how this could be done. He maintained, however, that Ashburton had only received * fair share of the funds at the disposal of the Council, Cn Hr Jackson’s motion being put, it wat eorried. Applications for grants in aid to the Alford Forest, Llethven, Chertsey, and Watcrton libraries were received. On tbs motion of Mr Jackson, seconded by Mr Bullock, a grant of £SO was made to the Methven Cemetery Board. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Jackson, seconded by Mr Lambie, that the Government be requested to alter the setting apart of twenty-five acres of reserve No. 202 b £oi police purposes to recreation purposes. A number of accounts were passed for payment, Several letters were read, amongst whicii was one from the Selwyn County Council, asking if the Ashburton Oouuty Council would be willing to share the cost, of obtaining a report from a competent engineer as ta the best site for a bridge over the Rakaia, near Dobbin’s ford. The Council xesolved to accede to fee request. A telegram was read from Mr E. G.Wright, stating that alterations in the railway tariff have been under the consideration of the Government; and when the now tariff wa» published, it was expected it would show a substantial reduction in the charges on the carriage of agricultural produce. A letter was read from the engineer to the Wakanui Road Board, calling the Council'* attention to the damage done about three miles below the Ashburton bridge by the late floods, and also drawing attention to the urgent necessity of permanent protective works. It was resolved—“ That steps be taken to form a Board of Conservators in the Wakanui Hoad Board district.” The Council decided to pay Mr Martin, clerk for the Ashburton licensing district, the sum cf £lO for services in connection 'with the Ashburton Licensing Bench, £5 for the Upper Ashburton district, and £5 for the Mount Somers district. On the motion of Mr Bullock, it was resolved—“ That the Government be written to pointing out the unnecessary coat of appointing the Resident Magistrate’s clerk as clerk to the outlying licensing districts, and recommend that in such cases the clerk of the Road Boards be appointed.” An application from the Chcrtsty Domain Board for trees was granted. A letter from the Council’s solicitor re the water rights, Wakanui creek, was considered iu committee. The Council resolved to renew the leasing of the Lower Bangitata ferry, provided the Geraldine County Council were willing to co-operate. A complaint from Mr B. Anderson with reference to an overflow of water at Ford’s creek was left with the engineer to deal with, J. MoOombie’s tender of £3037 13i for the Rangitata traffic bridge was accepted. M. Phdan’a tender of £3 15s for fords at Winslow was also accepted. The Council then adjourned till Tuesdaynext, at 11.30 a,m.