COUNTY AFFAIRS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLV, Issue 10384, 1 May 1925, Page 8

COUNTY AFFAIRS

STATEMENT OF FINANCES. PROGRESS OF WORKS. The monthly meeting of the Ashburion County Council was- held tc-day. There were present: Messrs W. G. Gallasher (chairman), W. T. Lill, F. Frampton, H. B. C. Withell, .D. J. Morrow, J. Moore, J. Lambie, A. T. lilley, T. S. Harrison, A. J. Magson, and C. Reid. , The financial statement showed a credit-balance of £769 Is 5d in the county fund account, after deducting £2„460 5s 7d, the amount of the month's accounts. The antecedent liability was £3,806 7s 2d. The Methven loan account showed a debit of £4,361 17s lid, including £412 13s lid <as payments for the month. The Chairman's Statement. The chairman stated that several en'quiries had been made in regard to ,the sale of timber on the county plantations. Accompanied by Messrs Morrow, Moore, and Withell, and local residents, he visited Mayfield on April 29, and decided the position of the electric lights. He recommended that the present crossing over the race on the Mayfield-Valetta road, near Valetta, be piped, as the road carried considerable traffic. The Council decided to bring under the notice of the N.Z. Counties' Association, the matter of the upkeep of danger signals at railway crossings. The executive had replied that the matter was being discussed with the Railway Department. The balance-sheets for the year ended March 31, 1925 2 had been examined by the Government auditor. The Methven water supply was near in g completion. Would the Council like an official turning-on of the water when the scheme was completed? In several quarters endeavours were being made to have constituted a separate Highways Board for the South Island. It appeared to him that such an alteration would be of immense benefit to this island, and if the Council was in favour, he would recommend that the Council give its hearty support to the proposal. The neeessary forms for the issue of licenses for motor lorries had been, prepared, and steps were being taken to collect the license fees. The tender of Mr William Clark for the lease of Reserve 1770, 48 acres, at £5 per annum, had been accepted for a term of seven years.

The Engineer's Report.

The Engineer (Mr A. A. Fooks) reported that owing to freshets in the Pudding Hill stream the shingle had been rolling and causing the water to •diverge, making the supply irregular, constant attention being necessary. The position, however, was now satisfactory. The supply from the North Branch to the auxiliatry main race had been well maintained. Complaints of shortage of water in the races in the vicinity of Overdale having been received far some time, the races were reported to be running well up to the original flow; this had not occurred for several year 3. A full supply from the Winchmore main intake had been maintained throughout the month, and the Mill Intake supply had been efficiently maintained. The reinstatement of this dam at the intake had been completed in a substantial and satisfactory manner, and no trouble should occur for some yeara. The North and South Hinds supplies had been quite sufficient, and the Remmington Creek supply was quite inadequate. The Ashburton-Rangitata mains had been well supplied. While a large number of ratepayers had cleaned their races, others had failed to do so, or the races had been badly cleaned or left in a rough state. Material for the construction of the new weir (Pudding Hill Dam) had been obtained, and the work was ih progress. Taylor's Bridge on Graham's Road, had been .substantially remodelled, and should last for many years without further expense. Authority from the Main Highways Board had been received to proceed with the work of redecking land repairing the Rangitatai Traffic Bridge. The title to the land at the North West approach of the present bridge at Stayeley, had been searched .and it was found that there was no public road or right-of-way over this land. Good progress had been made with the reconstruction of the main highway, West Street, the formation being near completion. • The metalling would be commenced shortly after the arrival of the stone-breaking machinery, which was expected within a day or two.

The Inspector's Report.

The Inspector' (Mr E. N. Johnson) reported that the notifications of infectious disease had been yery few during the month. Fortunataiy no paralysis cases were reported'. Two cases of scarlet fever were reported from Timvald. A satisfactory number of drivers' licenses had been issued during the month, the total number ■issued to date being 890. Dog Registration: £66 12s 6d was paid in during the month. The reports were adopted.

It was decided to urge the erection of a railway siding at Hackthorne, to allow of the trucking of timber from the plantations nearby. Members approved of holding a ceremony at the turning-on of the Methven water supply. Mr 0. F. Dyer,formerly County Engineer, reported that the work waa progressing satisfactorily and should be completed by May 16. %e Council decided to inspect the works on the opening day. The clerk reported the following amounts, computed on a valuation basis, could be granted to each road district: —Longbeach £37 13s 9d, Mt. Hutt £BO 17s 7d, Mt. Somers £22 16s 7d. Anama £3l 2s 7d, Rangitato £37 18s 6d, Coldstream £lB 12s lid, South Eakaia, £SB 15s 2d, Upper Ashburton £6B 14s 3d, Wakanui £37 10s sd; total £4OO Os 9d. The request of the Pondarves tinW Committee for the waiving of the water charge, because water was not being used, and its running through the property necessitating ■-.'bridging, was granted. The Wakanui Road Board applied for three sets of concrete pipes for the following crossings:—Chertsey Road, between the township and Le Breton's road; near Mr Hoatten's; and at McConachie's corner. The Board had decided to have these fords replaced with

concrete culverts as the result of representations lrom the Postal Department, as the roads were on the route ot the rural mail service. The application was granted, provided the cost did not exceed £37 10s sd. The Highways District Council, for purposes of the estimates for construction and maintenance, requested the. Council's plans for work on highways for the coming year. Only those schemes of work for which the Council could make financial provision were enquired for. The matter was left in the hands ot the engineer.

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