COUNTY COUNCIL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIX, Issue 9649, 4 July 1919, Page 8

COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING.

The monthly meeting of the Ashburton County Council was held today. The members present were: Crs. J. Cairns (chairman), C. Reid, W. Loohhead, W. TV". Goodwin, H. Magmness A. Drummond, W. T. Lill, W. G. Gallagher, and H. J. Harrison. The Engineer imported as follows: — Ashburton-Rakaia Water faupply.— During the first three weeks of June the supply from the upper district was Constant Juid .plentiful, but during the past week a great many of the races, especially the smaller ones, were blocked 'with: snow and frost. To-day a thaw has stM> *n- which will clear the races from ice- should the thaw contin tse. In the lower district a good flow has been kept up in the races from tiie A-etou twin, which is in good order. The " frost' did not affect this main -to the same -trstent as the mains in the apper di's-fcript. During the time which the Mill Creek was dry it was cleaned, and is cOW in good order from the Main South' Road to the Ashburton River. Water commenced to flow in the Nortn 1 Asftbtsrton River on June 21. and'since than' them has been a good flow in the Mill Creek, and consequently,- thvoushout' .the ''Wakanui" district-. ■ Asliburiou-llangstrvta, Water Supply. —In common with other parts? s>i the hills district.' 1 the main races' vyere blocked with snoiv and ice for a time, but to-day a tiiaw Idas set in, and; I : expect that- in the course of a few .days'the- races thz'ouglput this. distestf :will be running as usual. : The yearly overhaul of races is due 'to commence ou August 1, but I would •suggest that the work frs- deferred for a fortnight or three weeks, as., the days would be a little longer and more suitable for the work. The contractor for inlef/. and outlet channels at the headworks, South Ashburton Kiver, is making satisfactory progress, taking weather conditions into consideration, and will finish by j the end of July. !

Reserves,—Plans have been prepared of reserves the leases of which expire on September 1 and November 1 nest, which are kid on the table for' your approval. They cover an area of 2487 acres r in 15 lots, ranging from 1.5 acres to 642 acres. The term of lease is, I understand. 14 years. Proposed Bridge, Bowyer's Stream, Lambie's Crossing.—As instructed, 1 have visited the proposed site of the bridge and gone carefully into this matter so as to estimate the cost of a traffic bridge and other works required at the point indicated. In 1914 an application was put in by the Mount Soniers Boad Board for the erection of a. footbridge, and at that time, or shortly afterwards, the stream was diverted, and protective works put in by the Mount Soniers Board, the council paying half-cost;. biit no furither steps were taken towards the erection, of a bridge.. The .protective w,orks \vhieb. were put.in has answered the, intended purpose, but time and tho trend of the stream have shown that some farther training' of the stream and protection would bo necessary should the council decide to go on with the work of erecting a traffic bridge. The estimated cost of a bridge, complete, and protective works, is £1400. Stock Bridge over the Stour.—The deck handrails, and, in fact, all the superstructure, is in a dilapidated condition, and woukl recjuire, to be renewed. The piles which support the bridge are the only sound part of the structure. The estimated cost of renewals would be about £180. The bridge as erected is of very little utility to the district except for foot passengers, as it is almost an impossibility to take a. mob of sheep across (so I am informed) on a. bridge 100 feet in length and four feet roadway. This bridge is built I£ chains downstream from the roadline. and has a connection at both ends to the road over Reserve 3189, which is vested in the council. If the stock bridge was converted into a traffic bridge the cost would not be excessive, as there is one pile in position for each span, and with an additional pile driven for each span, and by using ironbark which was taken from the Ashburton Traffic Bridge when it was shortened, the whole of the timber necessary is on hand, excepting deck planking and handrails. The estimated cost of bridge and protection is £530. The cost of timber in stock is not included.

It was decided' to agree to the suggestion to postpone the cleaning of races. —The chairman said h<3 had visited the site for the bridge' asked for near Mount Somers, and considered the bridge was required, 'and the settlers were very anxious to have it erected. The ford was bad, and during the epidemic the settlers were iso-lated.-—Cr. Lochhead agreed that the ford was bad.—lt was decided that a copy of the report be sent to Mount Somers Road Board, and ask whether they would contribute towards the cost of 'the work.—-The Engineer's suggestion in regard to repairing the bridge over Stour Creek was agreed to. —The report was the a adopted.