ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2699, 1 December 1882, Page 3

ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of this Council was held on the 29th November. Present —Messrs W. C. Walker (chairman), T. Bullock, E. G. Wright, T. Taylor, A. McFarlane, J. Lambie, J. Jackson, and H. T. Winter.

The Chairman, in his opening remarks, stated he had received replies from the Upper Ashburton and Mount Hutt Road Boards, and that these bodies would be willing to co-operate with the Council in the destruction of small birds. The Geraldine County Council had written, stating that they preferred to have their own ferryman on the south bank of the Bangitata, and suggested that the .£4O should be divided between the two ferrymen. The Government had replied that a re-construction of the licensing districts could only be made through a petition of a majority of the ratepayers in each district.

The engineer reported on the progress of various works now in hand, and mentioned several others that it would be necessary to go on with. An application frem Messrs Kemp and Shepherd, for a deviation of the water-race and an extension through reserves 2186, 2187, 2184, and 2185, joining the Fairfields run, or some distance below the latter reserve, was referred to the engineer, and an application from Mr Twentyman was left with the water supply committee. The Engineer was instructed to see that Messrs Gould and Cameron do what was necessary to prevent waste of water on their property, and enlarge the flume. With reference to a proposed race from Willowby to Dawson's road, it was resolved that as soon as the owners have paid the requisite contributions the chairman be authorised to accept tenders for the work required. . A similar resolution was passed in connection with a proposed waterrace near the Hinds.

Regarding the Wheatstone district supply, it was resolved that the committee revise the requisite deed of agreement, and endeavor to arrange with the Hon. J. McLean as to the clearing of his creek, and in the event of no agreement being come to the committee were advised to consider the feasibility of taking a supply of water from the river. It was resolved that the contractor for the Rangitata traffic bridge be informed that he will be incurring heavy penalties unless the bridge is finished within the contract time—a month hence.

A letter from Mr A. Appleby, complaining of the unfair division of the waterrace between sections 32801, 32800, and 27783, was referred to the engineer. At twelve o'clock the Council held the annual meeting, the business in connection with which was the election of a chairman for the ensuing year. On the motion of Mr E. G. Wright, seconded by Mr T. Taylor, Mr W. C. Walker was unanimously re-elected. Mr T. Bullock proposed " That the usual honorarium of .£IOO be voted to the chairman."

This was seconded by Mr J. Lambie. Mr A. McFarlane spoke in favor of increasing the amount to £l5O, and moved to this effect. Some little discussion ensued, and Mr Bullock's motion was put and carried. The ordinary meeting was then resumed, and a number of accounts passed for payment.

In reply to a letter from Mr E. Tomlin, secretary of the Waterton Library, it was decided that the Council pay the sum of £5 towards proposed alterations to the library building as soon as the work has been certified to by the chairman of the committee.

In reply to a letter from the Geraldine County Council re the Eangitata Ferry, it was decided that as the ferry was legally under the control of the Ashburton Council, and a ferryman having been appointed, no further alterations could be made this year, but that next year the expediency of placing a ferryman on the south bank should be considered. It was further resolved that the Geraldine Council be applied to for half a year's subsidy to the ferryman. In reply to a letter from the chairman of the Mount Hutt Eoad Board re keeping fords over water races in order and painting posts at the end of the culverts it was decided that the Conncil should defray the cost of same.

A letter was read from the Selwyn County Council, stating that a deputation of pei'sons interested in the Dobbin's ford bridge had waited on the Council, and urged the construction of the bridge. A combined road and railway bridge, costing about .£30,000, would be most suitable, and it was thought a contractor could be found willing to undertake the work and provide one-fourth the estimated cost to be repaid by way of tolls. The co-operation of the Ashburton County Council was now sought with a view of giving effect to the ■wishes of the ratepayers. » The Council decided to reply that they were not in a position to give a grant in aid, but that the district interested—the boundaries of which had been approved of by the Council as a rating district—had expressed its willingness to find half the amount of cost of construction. The Council were of opinion that the question of tolls, as suggested by the Selwyn County Council, would not satisfy the provisions of the Act. Formal application had been made, and the plans of the proposed bridge had been forwarded to the Government.

On the motion of Mr E. G. Wright, se- I conded by Mr H. T. Winter, it was re- J solved—" That this Council views with satisfa3tion the reductions made on the new railway tariff for the carriage- of grain, and accept the same as a just recognition of the claims of the agriculturists in this county." The Coucil then adjourned to 3 p.m. On resuming the committee appointed to investigate the question of diverting the Mount Somers railway line across the south branch of the Ashburton river brought up their report. The committee, namely, Messrs Wright, Jackson, Lambie, McFarlane, and Walker, reported that they had visited the districts affected, and had endeavored to discover the wishes of all classes of the settlers ; and, in preference to any of the routes surveyed by the Public Works Department, the committee recommended that the line should be carried round by the traffic bridge, which could be strengthened at a small cost for railway purposes, to Bowyer's bridge. The report was adopted as read. It was resolved that the Minister of Public Works be communicated with, with a view of ascertaining when he would be likely to arrive in Ashburton, and that due notice of his arrival be sent to the members of the Council; also that a copy of the committee's report be sent to the Minister of Public Works. On the motion of Mr Jackson, seconded by Mr Wright, it was resolved—" That the portion of police reserve No. 202 G, Methven, be made a recreation reserve, and that the Grovcnment be requested to take steps to effect the same."

Messrs Jackson and Walker were appointed to represent the Council on the Ashburton High School Board. It was decided that the Council's reserves be let by tender.

Mr Carney was appointed poundkeeper at Mount Somers.

The following tenders were accepted : Ploughing plantations, D. Dalgety ; water race extension (Power's race), Phelan; dog collars, J. Tait; Alford Forest water race, Furneaux and Dunlop. The Council then adjourned.