COUNTY COUNCIL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXI, Issue 6083, 2 October 1903, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Ashburton County Council was held to-day. Present—Messrs C. J. Harper (chairman), J. Lambie, J. Studholme, W. MorgaD, S. Chapman, T. Harrison, M. Stitt, F. J. Millton. chairman's statement. » The Chairman stated that the balance sheet for the year ended March 31st, 1903, had been received from the Auditor-Gene-ral. It would be noticed the latter proposed some alterations in the manner of keeping 1 ("he sepaiate accounts in the Bank. He (the Chairman) disapproved of the proposed alterations, as if they gave way to these auditors every time, the Council would not know where they were. The auditor wanted several of the account? merged into ! the general account. He moved that the Council could not see its way to fall in with* the alterations suggested by the auditor. Mr Studholme seconded. The auditor had made the same trouble with the Coldstream Road Board accounts. :

Mr Lambie supported the motion for the same reasons as Mr Studholme. No good could be achieved as far as he could see j the paltry saving of 5s for keeping the accounts was a little matter altogether. It seemed to him that it was the work of someone trying to rack his brains and pat the local bodies to as much trouble aa he could.

Mr Chapman also supported. He coald not see where the saving camo in. A strong front should be put on in this matter.

In reply the Chairman said he thought the Council was doing the right thing in sticking to the present system of keeping the accounts. The accounts had been satisfactorily kept for the last thirteen years. The office staff h<id quite enough to do as it was.

The resolution was oarried.

AFOI-OGfir.

Mr Hugo Friedlander was granted leave of absence from the meeting.

bahgee's beport, etc,

The usual rangers' report, diaries, wasta sheets, etc were laid on the table and approved of by the Council. engineer's bbpobt.

The Engineer's report was read as follows:—

Ashburton-Rakaia Water Supply.-^-Thi3 service during the last month has been satisfactory. Some repairs are being effected at Pudding Hill dam, and the maintenance of the other intakes is being duly attended to. A concrete culvert for Race A has been placed across Alford Forest Road at Methven, and several foot and sheep bridges have been erected on roads in Springfield sub-divisions, and a number of fords in Wakanui district have been overhauled, and main at Eakaia repaired.

Intake Wakanui Creek.—The authorised works are progressing satisfactorily, and will be completed in a few days. The. bywash has been enlarged, and new sluices provided at weir. Ashburton Forks Water Supply.—There is an abundant supply throughout the district. Some river encroachment recently occurred near the inlet of o'Shea's Creek. This has now been protected with willow work.

Ashburton - Rangitata Water Supply.— With slight exceptions, a fair supply has been circulating throughont the district recently. The P and R Races were a little low for a few days, but are now'running to lower end. The percolation in Coldstream races is also abating.

Ruapuna Water Supply.—The clearing of main in terraces will he finished to-morrow, and the clearing at intaVe about Wednesday riext, when the supply should again be available. Meantime the Hinds Gorge supply is sufficient for all the races within that district, which it is capable of reaching. County Bridges.—Deck repairs have been effected at Hood's Crossing Bridge, and several longitudinal beams and planks have heen put in afc Digby's Bridge, and some protection added at riverbed, Taylor's S>eam Bridge. Tenders will be placed before you to-day for protective works, South Ashburfcon Uiver, Mount Somers.

County Plantations.—The contractor hss finished the planting of several small blocks in tho Ashburton-Kangitata district. The erection of southern boundary fence, part of Reserve 1774, has been completed, and some fence repairs and gorse grubbing have been dona in the upper districts. Poisoned Grain.—With the exception of lf> bushels still to be poisoned, fchis season's supply is now exhausted. If any poisoning of- graio is to be done for next winter, it had better be done during the summer while the weather is suitable.

'' he Chairman said that he, Mr Stitfc and Mr Harrison visited Rawle's ' crossing, and were satisfied with the work that Mr P. Norman was doing. Personally, he was agreeably surprised at the strength-of t^e, Work that wag' being' put in. lV "' 'v ' sitfingi}