COUNTY AFFAIRS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 302, 4 October 1935, Page 8

COUNTY AFFAIRS.

MEETING OF THE COUNCIL.

WORK DONE IN MONTH.

REPORTS BY THE OFFICERS. Tho Ashburton County Council met this afternoon, instead of this morning, the adjournment being occasioned !by the desire of members to attend the funeral of the late Mr J. Connolly, M.P. There were present— Messrs D. J. Morrow (chairman), J. Lambie, 11. J. Orothers, F. Frampton, J. Bland, C. A. Campion, S. P. Taylor, J. Carr, R-. Houston, J. Moore, and W. G. Gallagher. The Chairman's Statement. In his monthly statement the chairman said that on September 19 a meeting of ratepayers of Methven was held to give further consideration to the proposal to install a severage system for Methven township. Mr carr had occupied the chair, and there were present also Mr Campion, Mr W. If. Stevens (drainage engineer), and members of the staff. Mr Carr hacl placed the full proposal before the meeting, and Mr Stevens had given information of technical parts of the scheme. Mr Carr had also placed before the ratepayers a proposal to pipe the open race from the sedimentation tank to the spring, the estimated cost ibeing £3137 6s 4d. Particulars of the annual cost to ratepayers for both schemes were submitted, and after discussion a resolution was unanimously carried, requesting the Council to take a poll of ratepayers on both proposals, after obtaining the consent of the Loans Board. The proposals sire: —Methven sewerage scheme £7BOO, less subsidy unemployment Board £930, main race, pipes £3187, less subsidy Unemployment Board £377; total, £9680. Meantime, the necessary application had been made to the Unemployment Board for a subsidy on the cost of piping the race, and the Board had replied undertaking to provide 12 per cent, of the cost. Attention was drawn to inconvenience which is suffered hv the shutting off of water when a connection is being made. The Council was requested to take steps to overcome the difficulty!. A vote of appreciation was passed to the Council for improvements and planting with ornamental trees at Methven.

Thiel Engineer’s Report. The County Engineer (Mr 11. AVezey) reported as follows:—< Water Supply.—The period for the annual cleaning of all water races in ■the County expired during the month, and all main races are again carrying a full flow. The opportunity was taken while the races were dry to carry out a great deal of repair work to flumes, gates, and headworks. Ashburton-Rakaia. —Abundant supplies have been available in this district, the races from the hills being particularly strong. All main and submain races have been thoroughly overhauled, and are in good condition for the carrying of tho sunmmer supplies. Ashburton - Rangitata.—The South Ashburton main race is carrying a normal flow. With the exception of a short length above the South Hands flume, this race has been thoroughly overhauled. One day’s scooping is required on this section, and it is hoped to have the work carried out at some opportune time before the summer flow is turned on. The Cracroft and Klondyke main races have both been thoroughly cleaned, and are delivering a good supply. The Hinds Gorge and Hinds Terrace intakes have been attended to, and a good flow is now running in both races. Tampering with junctions still continues in the Montalto district, and on a recent inspection a hoard was found firmly nailed across a race.

New Races. —Alt. Hutt District: The routes of the proposed Pudding Hill race diversion and the Black Bridge race have been pegged, and it will be necessary to confer with the property owners concerned as to their requirements.

Protective Work—Acton intake: Approximately 2500 willow stakes have been put in on the Raknia River bank at and above the main gates.

Timaru Track Drain.—A commencement has been made with the cleaning of this drain, which serves as an overflow to the Lagmhor Creek in time of flood. Roads and Bridges. The crushing plant is still operating on the M.H. Ashburton-Methven at the Winchmqre Church corner. The output for the period was 1857 cubic yards, delivered as follows:—Ashbur-ton-Winehmore (reconstruction), 1700 cubic yards; Lauriston Road, 60 cubic yards; Sales, 88 cubic yards. Main Highways—M.H. AshburtonMethven : The reconstruction of the section between the Wiuclnnore Church and the Hall is nearing completion. Tinwalclr-Mayfield—The small bridge north of the Maronan .bridge' has been widened to 82 feet, while two race crossing culverts in the vicinity have been extended. With the widening of this portion of the road now being carried out a better surface should result. The widening or the Maronan bridge approaches has been completed, and the wing fences have been erected.