ORDINARY MEETING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIII, Issue 8725, 26 November 1913, Page 7

ORDINARY MEETING.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Ashburton County Council was held today. , Present: Messrs 0. J. Harper (chairman), J. Cairns, H. J. Harrison, G. Murdoch, and W. Morgan. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs J. Studholme, W. J. Dickie, M.P., W. T. Lill, and H. Friedlander. The Chairman's report on the business transacted by him since the. last meeting was received .and approved. The Inspectors' and Water Rangers' diaries were laid on the table for the information of the Councillors. County Engineer's Report. The County Engineer (Mr Charles Alorrison) reported as follows:— Ashburton-liakaia Water Supply.— Since the last meeting of the Council on November 7, the supplies from Pudding Hill dam and the auxiliary channel have been satisfactory. There have been several light floods in the North Ashburton River recently, which affected the head works but very little, and the supply has been kept up without intermission. The connection from the south to the north branch of the Ashburton River through O'Shea's Creek has been opened and put into a good state of repair, so that a full flow of water can be diverted through the connection at any time should this become necessary. In the lower district i the main races from the Rakaia River' are in good order, and fit to carry a full summer supply. The above remarks would also, apply to the Winchmore -and Seafield main races, and the distributing races in this district have been kept well, supplied throughout. For some time the; supply in the Alford district was very light, but since the recent rains the supply has, improved, and is now sufficient throughout. Ashburton-Rangitata Water Supply, i —The flow, to the south branch of the Ashburton River has been very eyen, and very little attention has been required to keep up a full supply in the mam races. The supplies from the Hmds Gorge and Limestone Creek are sufficient for all the races connected in the meantime. The whole of the distributing races within this district have been kept well supplied throughout, excepting a short section in the Ashton Gustnct, which for a time was short of water through neglect of .maintenance, but this defect has : been remedied, and the water is now running throughout. As instructed by you, notice has been given by advertisement, and also by circulars, requesting ovyners to clear i)ll vegetation from their races before the end of December.

County Bridges.—The Hinds Bridge. Mam South Road, is on the. point of completion, and other bridges are receiving attention as necessity requires. The preparation of grain for the destruction of small birds will be completed in a few days. ■ The Chairman said that the Hinds Bridge was practically complete, and could now be. used, the approaches having been finished. The matter of arranging a suitable date for the formal opening of the new b'-idge was left in thp hands of the chairman.

The report as a whole was then adopted.

The report was adopted. * ■ ■ Reserves Inspector's Report.

The Inspector of Reserves (Mr B Stuart) reported as follows:—

Contracts.—The contractor for trimming larch, 23| acres at Cavendish, part of reserve 2567, has satisfactorily finished his work. The contractors for" the tree pulling on part 1770, Dromore, have almost completed their contract, haying only a small portion of the cleaning up to do, and so far have made a very tidy job. The contractor for gorse grubbing on this reserve has more men working, but owing to the holidays and wet weather, was unable to obtain the service of a traction engine until to-day, and he expects to finish by the extended time allowed. The contractor for gorse grubbing on part reserve 3066, Rakaia, has finished the work, except burning, for which he has to wait a favourable opportunity. . ■ ■ ■■ ..-' .-.. .•; Planting.—The yearling pine trees planted on the Railway Reserve at Ealing have made a very good strike, and, unless very dry weather prevails during the summer, should do well. Mr. Oullen has ploughed a fire break on the north-west side of. part reserve 34144 and 32653, Alford Forest Road, to protect the plantation, and has also ploughed the adjacent road for gorse. The pine trees along north-west boundary of the plantation will be topped shortly, probably early next month. The By-law. Inspector (Mr A. Christie) reported that during the month 19 motor-car drivers had ■■ committed 1 breaches of the Ashburton Traffic Bridge bylaw during Carnival week by crossing "the bridge at an excessive speed. On the chairman's approval action had been taken against the offending parties. Three hawkers' licenses had been issued during the month. The report was adopted. Correspondence. The Canterbury Roller Flour Mills Company wrote accepting the Council s 'terms in the matter of the supply ot water from the Wakanui Creek.—l he letter was received.—The Chairman said that a new agreement would have to be drawn up.—Cr. Cairns said that Mr "Wood should be asked to clean the race at the same time as the other races in the County were being cleaned. '-r-The matter.-.was-.left m the hands ot the chairman. The Longbeach Road Board wrote applying for half the cost of erecting the bridge over the Wheatstorie dram at the end of the Terrace Road. An account showing' the cost of the work and a plan showing the method of construction was forwarded with the letter.™lt was resolved to contribute a £ for £ up to the estimated cost ot £75. . , , - A circular letter was received _ from the New Zealand Counties Association in regard to the Rating Amendment Bill suggesting that certain clauses should be opposed. The letter requested the Council /to seek the aid ot its representative in Parliament in regard to the matter.—lt was agreed to support the opposition to the clauses mentioned in the circular letter. General. It was resolved not to accept the revised tender in connection with the formation-of the road and embankment in the Ashburton riverbed on account of the price being too high.—The matter was left in the hands of the chair-, man and the Engineer to deal with. A pump service from water-race for household purposes was granted to David Wilson, of Methven, and the application of W. Hood for a deviation of water-nice on reserves 26355-6 was ornntfid. ' It was agreed not to insure the

Hinds and the Roxburgh bridge crossings against fire at present. _ ' The Chairman, on behalr or Cr. Friedlander, moved in accordance with notice already given:—" That prompt steps be taken for leasing the Mount Somers tramway line, and that a committee be appointed to dea* T" tn the matter, the committee to consist of the chairman and Crs. Murdoch, Morgan, and Friedlander."—Cr. Harrison seconded the motion, which was carried without comment.

Accounts amounting to £775 18s 8d wore.. passed for payment. It was resolved that the necessary additions bo made to the caretaker's houses at Methven and Mayfield.

Permission was granted to the Methven Domain Roard to take water from a water race,by means of a hand pump for spraying on the bowling green in the Methven Domain.

Cr Morgan introduced the matter of Thompson's Bridge on Thompson's Track, which he said was unsafe for traction engine traffic. Harvest was coming along, when there would be a good deal of heavy traffic over the bridge.—The Engineer' said _that ■ if additional stringers were put in in the construction the bridge would carry traction engine traffic for many years. He thought that would serve the purpose as well as a new concrete bridge;— Cr Harrison moved, and Cr Murdoch seconded, that Thompson's Bridge be strengthened by the" erection of additional stringers. The Council then adjourned for luncheon.