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COUNTY COUNCIL, Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIX, Issue 9578, 4 April 1919
COUNTY COUNCIL
The monthly meeting of the Ashburton County Council was held to-day. The members present were: Crs. J. Cairns (chairman), W. G. Gallagher, H. Maginness, W. ••. Goodwin. C. Reid, A. Drummond, W. T. Lill, A. Horsey, H. J. Harrison, and W. Lochhead.
The chairman reported that there was a credit balance at the bank on March 31 of £747 10s 6d. It was a long time since the council was in such a happy position. On March 31, 1918, bhe debit balance was £4036 Is 4d.
ENGINEER'S REPORT
A The Engineer's report was read as follows:— ■
Ashburton-Rakaia Water Supply.— ! During: the month of March the supply from the auxiliary channel has been kept up to its full capacity, and a good supply has been obtained from this i source for all the distributing races connected. The supply from Pudding Hill is decreasing, but still sufficient water is obtainable for all races connected with this source. In the lower district the upper main race is in good order and carrying a full supply, which isi practically sufficient to meet the reauirements of both upper and lower mains. As the intake to the lower main of the river is in a very precarious condition and cannot be depended on many days in succession to provide the supply of water required, probably: the river may shift its course to ja more favourable position for obtaining a supply, through the lower main. The district northwards from the Wakanui Creek has generally had a fair supply throughout, excepting a few races at the extreme end about Seafield and Seayiew, where the supply ;has not been so' regular. The races on. Wakanui flat are dry at present, and have been for some considerable time, except on an occasional day whe"ft water may get through, and then the most of the : water available is absorbed by pond services, which have always been a source of waste and annoyance, I."and. for the l>enefit of the water-supply in general these pond services, should be withdrawn.* -'(Thereis ,a /good supply in the North Ash burton' 1 River, Which is supplemented- by the connection from the South branch through O'Shea's Creek; but the whole, of this large volume of water is absorbed in,the bed of^the river from Winchmore. downwards; ; Ashburton-Rangitata JWater 'Supply. —The intake from the. Souths branch of the Ashburton River has not been acting satisfactorily for some time, and, as formerly mentioned, it will be necessary to construct a fresh connection with the river nearer the dam. The carrying out of this 3ias been delayed for various reasons, but I expect that the work will be commenced within a fortnight. Cracroft main is in fair order, and carrying a full supply, which provided for any deficiency in the supply from the upper district. The races in tnis district, though light at times, have generally been running throughout—at least, I have heard of no serious complaints of shortage. In the Forks district the supply, though light, is generally running throughout. County Bridges.—Repairs have been carried out to the deck of PnddinG: Hill Bridge, Todd's Crossing, and Hood's Crossing, and a supply of decking, has been forwarded for repairs to deck the Ranaitata Traffic Bridge. Reserves.—« The Reserves ? Committee inspected reserves along the main line of railway, Ashton, and-Longbeach on March 24v and intend inspecting reserves in the Anama district at an early date, a report of which, I presume, will be laid before the council to-day.
Cr. Lill said the shortage of water in the races in the "Wakanui district was a serious matter. —The chairman said the position had been very serious during the dry weather, and it was only during a fresh in the river that tho people' could obtain water. The poiid service was also a great drawback in preventing the water getting to the lower end of the district. The council would have to do something to remedy the position.—Cr. Reid said he thought the only solution of the difficulty would be to bring the water down the Winchmore Road and empty it into the Mill race.—Cr. Lill said in the early days the Selwyn and Hinds rivers never went dry in the summer time the same as in recent years, and apparently the same state of affairs existed in the north branch of the Ashburton River. E> agreed with the Winchmore Road scheme, and when the race was not reauired could be turned off. There would be no difficulty in grading the aide of the road to bring the- water down, and the falUwas good. The race would only be a few miles in length.— The Engineer said some eight years ago there was a very dry season and a similar state of shortage existed. He considered it would be difficult to bring tha water down the Winchmore Road owing to there .being so many sandholes. —The Engineer was asked to report to next meeting on the question of an extra water supply.—The Engineer was instructed to call tenders for the enlarging of the Anama-Westcrfield water-race.'---: The report was then i adopted. •";
CORRESPONDENCE,
A ; letter ■ was received front - the j Hastings Borough Council asking the 1 council to endorse a resoltftion relative to the Governor be-iii" selected from the people of the Dominion. —Cr. Lill said he, considered ;a resident of New Zealand should be eligible for the position. —Cr. Horsey said it meant cutting the painter altogether between this and the Mother Country.—Cr. Lill said New Zealand had made such a mess last time in electing a Parliament that the people should not now attempt to elect a Governor. —The letter was received. ,' The Christchnrch Returned Soldiers' Association wrote asking for a grant .of £100, and pointing out that members of the association reside in all parts of Canterbury as well as Christdhurch. —Decided to reply that the council has no legal power to make the grant.
COUNTY COUNCIL Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIX, Issue 9578, 4 April 1919
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