ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2626, 7 September 1882, Page 3

ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

The usual monthly meeting of this Council was held in the Council Chambers on Wednesday. Present —Messrs W. C. Walker (in the chair), T. Bullock, J. J aokson, Taylor, Lsmbie, A. MoFarlano. The Chairman made his usual statement of the business to be brought before the Council, and also of that done since lajt meeting. A telegram had been received from the Geraldine County Council, stating that that body declined to enter into any new agreement re the Lower Rangitata ferry. Their reasons for declining would be forwarded by letter after the sittiug of that Council, which was then being held. The Government had advised the Council that they wonld be prepared to appoint as clerks of tbe Licensing Committees whomsoever the Council and Licensing Committees might choose to recommend.

The engineer’s report was then read and dealt with clause by clause. Applications from various owners in the Mayfield, Lismore, and Willoughby districts for extension of the various branches of the water race were referred to the water supply committee; as also were a number of other similar applications. On the motion of Mr Walker, seconded by Mr McFarlane, an application from Mr Hood for a branch race above the Monnt Somers township was approved of, provided it not exceed the original grant, and that the water supply committee be requested to consider the further extension of the supply for the benefit of the settlers interested.

Applications from Messrs Herring, Gorsbie, and Chapman, for a water supply from the Pudding Hill stream were referred to the engineer. The question of extending the races running through Messrs Power, S&villo, and Johnson’s properties, was referred to the water supply committee, with power to act. Similar action was taken in reference to the Lyndhurst and Dundas linos, and also with regard to applications for extensions by Messrs White, Allan, and Osborne 5 and loop lines for Messrs Irwin, Hackle, and others. On tho motion of Mr Bullock, seconded by Mr Lambie, the engineer was instructed to turn on the water in the Wakanui flat races.

The engineer reported a bad case of tampering with the water race at Oherteey by Boss Brothers, and it was resolved to proceed against them at once, and in any future cases of tampering to take action without waiting for the sitting of the Council. The report of the County Saleyards committee, together with conditions of lease, was read and approved. In reply to a deputation, consisting of Messrs. Gidso, Smith and Wood, reporting the tampering with tho water-boxes in tho Tinwald Creeks, and also with reference to an additional supply of water, the Council informed them that the tampering would be seen to, and the question of an additional supply of water would be referred to the engineer. Letter* drawing attention to further cases of tampering were read from Mr Ivan Rankin, Cornelius Ouningham, Graham, and also from the clerk of the Upper Ashburton Boad Board.

With reference to the resolution passed by the Borough Council, asking the County Council to co operate in bringing under the notice of the Minister of {Justice the urgent necessity of appointing a Resident Magistrate fcr Ashburton, it was resolved to endorse the action of the Borough Council, and forward a copy of the resolution* to the Government.

Mr Lambie moved the rescinding of a resslution passed by them on December 7th, re the collecting of the rates for the Ashburton and Bakaia Forks railway. There being no seconder the matter was allowed to drop. Applications from Messrs Davis, Bountreo, and Bandall, for water, were granted. With reference to the appointment of clerk* to Licensing Committees, it was resolved to forward to all the Committees a copy of a letter received from the Government on the subject, and the Council to support the appointment of clerks of Road Boards as clerks of the Licensing Committees wherever practicable, with a view to economy. The offer of the South Bakaia Boad Board re the widening of the culverts and open fords in that district was accepted. In reply to a telegram forwarded that day by the Council to Mr Wright, M.H. 8., at the suggestion of Mr Bullock a reply was received stating that implicit reliance could be placed in the promises of the Government to the effect that a substantial reduction in the tariff on agricultural produce would he made before Christmas. A renewal of Mr Price’s lease of the Ashburton Pound was granted. On the motion of Mr Walker, seconded by Mr Bullock, a resolution was carried to the effect that the Council regretted the action of the Government in the matter of interpreting the Forest Trees Planting Encouragement Act, as the Act was intended to confer important benefits on the settlors. Several tenders were accepted, and after the transaction of some bnsi ess of a minor nature the Council adjourned.