ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1545, 3 July 1885, Page 2

ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Council was held to-day. Present Messrs Harper, McLean, Megson, Taylor and Jackson. On the motion of Mr Jackson, Mr Harper was voted to the chair. 1 he Rangers’ reports and diaries were laid on the table, and business done by i he Chairman since last meeting approved of. tkoibst. Mr Megson, before the confirmation of the minutes, protested against the increase of 125 made in the salary of the Clerk at last meeting. He contended that the Clerk was being considerably overpaid for his services, and that many efficient per sons would be prepared to do the work at Ll5O per annum. He also submitted that the resolution was illegally carried The Act provided that seven days’ not ce should be given to each member of the ' Council of the intention to alter the salary of the Clerk.—After discus'ion the con firms ion of the minutes was agreed to, Mr Megson being the only dissentient. chueman’s statement.

The Chairman said :—Application has been made to the Government under clause Id of the Road and Bridges Const uotiou vat for the following main road grants, viz: —Main South Road, from Lower itangitata to Winslow, L 2,368 10-; Main tioad, Alford Station to Alford Forest, LI ,336 •» ; Main Road to Beach, Wakanui, 1700 The i inwold Town Board has agreed to the Council shifting the flood water bridge to the site recommenced by the Council and the railway authorities have been asved to put in the crossing necessary, which rhey have complied with. The Engineer has furnished, at the request of the inister for Minos the particulars asked for by Mr Ham Hall, Engineer for the state of California, with reference to the water supply in this County. 'he special order for the dissolution of the present Longhead) Road Board District, and the formation of the Coldstream Road B >ard District will come before the Council to-day. Mr Dowding has consented to the election of the mem bars of the proposed Coldstream Koid Board, and the first meeting of that Board talcing place at his cottage, Longlands The Court to hear objections in the matter of the electoral rolls of the County has been held as provided by the Counties Act, 1876, and the rolls have been signed by the Resident Magistrate. A let'er from the Ashburton Borough Council, offering terms for the Ashburton Pound, will be placed before the Council The Government has forwarded a alien lar, stating it would be g ad to receive any collection of mineral products, etc, for the Colonial and Indian Exhibition to he bela in Liondon during the year 1886 Tenders for the lease of protective works reserves will be a matter for the Council’s consideration at, this meeting Mr Chapman has written with regard to one of the reserves propo ed to be let. drawing attention to former correspondence that has taken place between the Council and himrelf Sergeant Felton wrote bringing under the notice of the Council the re marks made by the Magistrate at South Rakaia as to not sufii dent means being given persons to register their dogs. I have informed him of the facilities provided by the Council for procuring collars, and have requested him to continue summonsing persons and press the charges. The ranger went especially to Rakaia on the 25‘ h inst, his visit being advertised to soil collars, but he only succeeded in registering seven dogs The number of dogs registered at 10s this year is 1,060, against 933 last year in the C )Unty, which then included the Tinwald Town Board District. The Cuuncill will have to consider the amount of rate to be struck in the Ash: urton H'oiks protective works district to pay for the interest on the loan borrowed from the Government. Mr Walker has forwarded copies of local Rills, which are placed on the table. I would suggest a special meeting be called to consider the Bills. The Longbeach Road Board s»ate that they do not object to the Tinwald Town Board having control over the gravel pit near the Saleyards for sanitary purposes, but wish to retain the right to take shingle from it, as they require it for shingling adjacent roads. engineer’s report. The Engineer’s report was readies follows;

Road from Blackford to Redcliff: The corntractor for the first section of this road is making satisfactory progress with the work, and will complete the present contract in about a fortnight. Tenders will be called for an ther section as soon as Government pays in the amount now due. —Main roads : The work in the Ashburton Gorge is proceeding but slowly, but good progress h s been made during last month on the Main road from Alford Forest to Rakaia Gorge, all the shingle of the present contract having been laid out on the road, j With reference to the further particulars which the Council asks for. touching the maintenance of that portion of the road situated in the terraces adjoining the Gorge Bridge, I estimate the cost of necessary improvements and clearing at the present time at L7O. This includes the taking off of two sharp bends on the steep incline. As the road there had unavoidably to be formed in the steep and high terraces for a long distance, the ; nnual expense for clearing slips, etc , will 1.0 doubt be considerable, and I should judge that for tt is i purpose L4O to LSO would require to be expended annually out of the Bridge Fund—- ; mrii'g last month I prepared all the plans, sections, and e timates, etc, for the various portion - of main roads for which the Council desires grants for construction from the Government, namely—road from Winslow to Rangitata, road from Alford station to Alford Forest, and the encroachment on Beach road, Wakanui. These plans and documents have been duly presented to the Minister for Public Works by the Chairman of the County Council, who is now in Wellington, and who will follow up the applications in Parliament in the interests of the County, either under the present Act or whatev r -naK be substituted for it. —Weir, Pudding Hill: The new work is advancing by degrees towards completion, and should be nearly finished by the end of this month. —Taylor’s Stream; I have ordered the materials for t e formation of two groins, authorised by the Council, and this work will be started forthwith.—Wa er Supplies: During Jn ie the races not previously shut had the water turned off for cleaning and improving, so that an opportunity has now been afforded tor the overhaul of the whole system of races in the County. The work o < the whole has been done in a fairly satisfactory manner, and, I taken as a whole, the ra es have never been ] more efficient, nor the supply better than ; tj the present time. As authorised by the Council j I have now arranged to include in the mamte- j nance contract that section of the races situated on the eastern side of the railway line, extend, j

ing from Winslow to Rangitata The contractor is now starting the branch race to the Ashburton Borough Endowment Rese ve.— Maintenance of water-races ; As requ- sted, I now beg to subjoin estimate of annual cost of maintenance : Ashburton-Rangitata section, including repairs to head-works and headraces Ashburton-Rakaia ditto ... 670 Total j£ioso Flood channel, Lauriston : The Railway Department ha now made the necessary provision lor conveying the floodwatcr across the railway, and have provided the necessary outlet from line, but the Council will require to erect a few floodgates on north side of road to secure the ingress on th; natural line of channel. The expense of this I estimate at Ll6.—Plantations: The contractor who planted trees in the various blocks last year has now satisfac orily filled in all the g;ps,—Ford’s Creek : With reference to the scheme for the improvement of this creek, the widening of creek at Tinwald was included in the Committee's recommendation. The estimated cost of the latter was Ll 5, and t"he prevention of overflow there in time of floods would go to reduce the expense of widening Fold’s creek to a corresponding extent. The lesser work might be executed any time, but the work of shing ing Ford’s creek, would be more efficiently nd cheaply executed after winter. —Traffic Bridge, Ashburton : The contractor for the bridge has made a commencement with such suitable piles as he could command, pending the arrival of the iron bark i.i bulk, from Sydney, which he expec sin about a lortnight. The piles in the first four piers have been driven in a satisfactory manner. The contractors for the north approach are making very satisfactory progress with the earthwork, ha f of the total quantity required having already been filled in —Protective Works : As instructed by ti-e Council the balance available for Ashburton For s District is now being expended in making up and securing the various points operated on. At Wakanui the driving of rails has been completed, and the fascine work wi 1 be finished next week. After a cireful inspection of that portion of the river b d at Wakanui, operated on by the works, t calculate that i would be advisable to plant at least 7,000 willow stakes of various sizes in suitable positions. —River Prot ction on South Si e of Kive from Grove Farm, downwards : About to chains above Grove Farm the current sets in Ovvards the South hank striking right across from toe oorthern side of river bed. It again divides nearly opposite Grove Farm road, part of the stream shooting over against the on. John McLean’s proper y at upper end of R.S. 6429, ant. part keeping more towards the centre of tne river bed, but im,.ingii.g again on he lower halofsaii section and Messrs Dudley and Northey’s property lower down. The indents on portion of R. S 6429 have reached back a distance of a- least five cnains from <he original bank of the river, and as the declivity southwards isve.y considerable, the threatening aspect of the river there is apparent. The cutting f several river chan els across the spits, formed nearly in the line of Grove Farm road, would, I have no effect a’temporary improvement, and to some extent divert the ordinary current from the banks there, but fear this wou d give little permanent advantage when floods set in, as a large volume of the floodwater will necessarily find its way 10 the lower ground, which the river has been gradually making for itself along that.section of tbe Southern bank As no funds are available for thi district, I presume the owners more iratne‘ lately interested would contribuie whatever sum might be considered expedient to expend at present, and in the meantime it appears to me that minor improvements only can be undertaken—until such time as a river district is formed, comprising the atea likely to be effected by the threatened en.roachments on that side of the river.

BAXAIA GORGE BRIDGE. The Ole k was instructed to send a copy of the Engineer’s report on above to the s elwyn County Council and Government, asking them if they would agree to the expenditure FLOOD CHANNEL LAURISION. It was decided to grant Ll 6 for the can stnntion of flood-gates on the above channel. fords’ creek. It was resolved that Lils .be expended on the work of improvements to this creek ; the larger work to be attended to after winter, as suggested by the Engineer, ASHBCRXON TRAFFIC BRIDGE. The Chairman sain no arrangement had been entered into with the Borough ■ ouncii with regard to their contribution towards the cost of construction of the traffic bridge. This Council had been called upon o make payments on account of this bridge and as they had received no money from Government he thought that the Borough Council shouid advance money in proportion to their share of cost. —The Chairman was authorised to arrange with the Borough Ooum.il with respect to this matter. Mr Megson moved the following resolution, notice of which be bad given at a former meeting :—“That the balance of money required for the cost of construction of the Ashburton traffic bridge be paid out of the ordinary County funds ” Mr Taylor seconded the motion, whi h was carried aim at without comment.

Mr J W Thomas, contractor fof the construction of the bridge, wrote, asking the Council to intercede on his behalf with reference to the pr* posed duty m ironbark piles, so large a supply of which would be required for building the bridge. Mr Thomas pointed out that when tendering ha had baaed Rs calculations on the former charge for this material, and it was needless for him to explain that his price for the work would never bear such an imposition.—lt was resolved — - ‘Tha‘ a copy of tne letter r>e sent to Mr Welker, M. H.ti., at Wellington, to act upon th - matter as that gentleman thinks fit.I'’ 1 '’ WAKANUI PtiOI'ECTIVE WORKS.

It was decided to send a copy of the Engineer’s report on fhe matter to inter ested persons, and ask their opinion on it. On the motion of Mr Jackson it was decided to hold a. special meeting of the Council on Saturday, July H, to consider the whole question of river protection; also the local Bil s submitted by Mr W. C. Walker, M.H.R PAYMENTS The usu tl monthly accounts were passed for payment. CORRESPONDENCE. From Mr John Grigg as follows ; “ On behalf of the owners of land adjoining Ford’s Creek, I beg to forward to you a cheque for L4O, as about the proportion required by the Council previous to undertaking the work of widening the creek. I was informed by Mr Baxter, County Engineer, that LI6.J had been voted by the Council for widening the creek from Mr W. Anderson’s farm to the Beach road. I suggested to Mr Baxter that the work should be let in sections coterminous with the boundaries of the

different properties This I would respectfully submit will be the fairest way to adjust the part to be paid by each person, as the work to be done will vary very much on the different properties. 1 hope the Council may consent to have the work done at once.”—lt was resolved that the work be done as suggested by MrQrigg Fr. m Mr James Porter, Allencun, offomg to plant 12 ucresof reserve near Hinds river, on boundary bet ween Upper Ashburton and Mount Comers Road District, at the price of L 4 per thousand.— Application not entertained. —From Ashburton borough Council, submitting the foih.w ing offer for Ashburton Pound property, viz, L2OO, payable at four yearly instalments of LSO each It was decided to accept the offer.—From Mr D. Fitzgerald, Wakanui, protesting against being called upon to pay a special rate in connection with the protect ve works at Wakanui.— It was decided to deal with the lettqr in the same manner as Mr Patterson's, viz, rates to be paid only on trie land ihat is now possessed by Mr Fitzgerald, the Engineer to report as to what land had been actually lost.—From the mwald Town Board, asking for control of shingle reserves near Tiuwald Saleyards.—lt was resolved—“ That the Tinwald Town Board have control of reserve on the oon

dit on that local bodies adjoining may have what gravel they require for public purposes only. - Circular from occupiers of Government and educational reserves in' ’ounty of Geraldine, drawing attention te certain grievances under the wxi«Hng Act dealing with the letting of reserves, and! asking the co-operation of the Coon* cil in remedying ssid evils.—From the Minister of Mines, Wellington, announ* cing that he would be glad to receive collections for the Indian and Colonial Hz* hibition in 1886. ASHBURTON FORKS PROTBSTIVB WORKS. It was decided to strike a special rate of §1 in the ponnd in the Ashburton Forks district, for the payment of interest on loan borrowed for the}conatiacUon of the protective works. A GRIEVANCE. Mr T. Wilson waited upon the Board, and complained of the overflow of the Wakanui Creek on hia property, near the Beach. —The Engineer was directed to report on the matter to the special meet* ing of the Council, to be held on July 1L

SPECIAL OBDIBS. Special orders constituting the Gold* stream Koad District, and altering the b >unda-ies uf th« Mount Hart and Mount Somers ridings, were read and agreed to. USCELLANBOUsi A slaughtering lie nse was granted to Mr D. Cameron (duties). Mr Harper was appointed Treasurer in the absence of Mr Walker. Owing to the Hunt Club Steeplechases tailing place <m Friday, August 7, the C nncildecided to hold their next monthly meeting on Saturday, August 8. KKSEETE3. A lengthy jptter *as received from Mr E Chapman, wuh reference to the lease of lot 1, rese - ve No 2501. claiming prior right to lease of the reserve.— *.fter con* saturation the Coonoi) agreed that Mr Chapman had a prior claim, and his offer or 9d let acre f<r the lease the reserve waa accepted The onder o ? Mr D. Cameron (Clones) *»i accepted f »r lease of lot 2, reserve No 2601' vsr X Orddwe I’s tender of L 3 for leiae of reserve No 367, near Dromon* was accepted. mount somers kolwap

Mr JftCKßon m >ved, Mr UoLeto s®c aided, and if was rerolved wiihont die- ’ cussioa—“ That in the opinion of this ‘ Council it is expedient that a sum of money be placed on the Estimates, sufficient t > extend the M -unt Somers railway to 'pringnurn, and that a copy of the above be forwarded to the member for the district. ” WAXES RATE. After a conversational discussion, the question of striking the annual water rate was deferred till the special meeting on Ju y 1. The Council then adjourned.