COUNTY RESERVES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 54, Issue 192, 28 May 1934, Page 7

COUNTY RESERVES

INSPECTION ON SATURDAY. USEFUL SURVEY MADE. A tour round the County that gave members a valuable indication of the condition of plantations, standing, milled, burnt out, wind-blown and cleared for planting was made on Saturday by members of the Ashburton County Council. The tour extended over about 75 miles; it commenced at 9.30 a.m. and concluded at 4 p.m.

A good'deal of useful work was accomphshed during the day, and members expressed satisfaction with the arrangements, which ""included travelling in one vehicle, a passenger 'bus. bprmariy, these tours were undertaken in several motor-cars, but the party usually became scattered. Under the new method all members of ihc Council were together whenever any particular points arose for instant discussion and decision

Before leaving Mayheld, the Council considered several questions, arid with regard to the extension of the stock route to JFairton, Mr W. G. Gallagher moved that the 10i acres reserve on the edge of the main road should be planted at once, that the, roadside fence should be shifted back a short distance, and that Mitcham Road be continued on the east side of the main road and as far as the railway line, to permit stock to be driven that way instead of along the main road as at present. The tree-planting would be a great improvement. This was seconded by Mr F. Frampton.

The motion was carried, the Council holding over for further report the portion of the motion referring to the stock route, though members were in favour of haying the new road put through. ' It was agreed ;to shift the fence back a distance of 12 feet, and to plough the ground between the new fence and the line of the telegraph poles on the side of the road to serve as a firebreak.

The- tender of Messrs Millichamp Brothers, at £57 14s, for the planting of the Fairton reserve was accepted-

Two tenders for planting 340 acres of reserves in the County were received and as both were the same amount, it was agreed to allot half tbo planting to each tenderer, Messrs Millichamp Brothers and Messrs G and 0. Clark, the Works Committee to arrange the reserves to be planted by the two firms. Wind-blown Sawdust. The Council then went to Barrett's plantation, where Mr A. -V. Barret* pointed out certain destruction that bad taken place in one of his paddock* through north-west winds blowing sawdust from a huge heap nearby. He stated that the blown sawdust last summer reached a depth of two inches on this land and when it caught fire it destroyed his pasture oyer an area of about fpur acres. He asked, as compensation, that the area of eight acres adjoining, already leased to him. should be leased to him free. The Council decided to grant the free use of the land for one year The Council next viewed an area of 60 acres at Barrett's corner, where replanting will this year take place as part of the Council's afforestation programme. '; , It was stated that a relief workers camp would be established at that point to have the land cleared of debris left by the wood-cutting contractors. Sixty-acres of Oregon pine trees, some two years old and others four years old, were next seen and the trees, it was noted, have been making excellent headway. This area was formerly occupied by the St. Leonard sawmill. -_ ~ At Anderson's corner . the Council decided to'offer by tender 25 to 30 acrAs of pine, bluegum and larch trees, in. blocks of five acres, for firewood, a stipulation being that the ground must be cleared within 12 months. / A request for a fence, 40 chains long, to replace the one stnashed down by falling trees in.a gale somo years ago, was made at this place by 'Mr H. C. Barton/ acting as trustee in Sim's Estate. It was agreed to supply the material for a fence, Mr Barton undertaking to find the labour to erect it. ' At Hinds, the Council inspected several plantations where woodcutting has been carried on, and where damage had been done by gales. In regard to pne area of 40 acres, it was decided to have this cleared up and made ready for planting. On the way back to Ashburton . the Council inspected trees west of the railway line, where a good deal of wattle has been put up in cords. After reaching Ashburton it was decided to again view'the proposed stock route to Fairton and members went out and inspected the place where it had been agreed earlier in the day that the Mitcham Road should be extended. When it was realised how much extra space would be available for stock on the side of the main road after the fence has been shifted back it was agreed not to take action with regard to the new road. Back at Ashburton, members proceeded to Madden's tea-rooms, where they were the guests of Mr J. Moore whoso term a® chairman expired last "Wednesday.