COUNTY AFFAIRS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 17, 1 November 1935, Page 6

COUNTY AFFAIRS

REPORTS ON MONTH’S WORK.

TUNNEL ROAD TO LYTTELTON.

CONTROL OF NOXIOUS WEEDS. The Ashburton County Council met to-day when there were present Messrs D. J. Morrow® (chairman), H. C. B. Withell, J. Lambie, R. Houston, F. Frampton, J- Bland, C. A. Campion, S. P. Taylor, J. Carr, H. J. Crothers, J. Moore .and W. G. Gallagher. Chairman’s Statement. In his statement, the chairman said: “Tunnel Road, Access to Lyttelton. On the initiation of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, a deputation was to interview the Government and advocate the construction of this tunnel road. The Canterbury Progress League was asked to support the repieseutations. The League, however, was unwilling to comply with request until it had consulted its constituent bodies and a conference was held on October 16, when it was decided to de-

fer decision, as some delegates had not been instructed as to their council s views. This Council was represented by Mr James Carr, who had given evidence before the Tunnel Road Commission in 1930, and I must express my thanks to him for so ably representing the Council. We fear that the necessary cost of reconstructing the wharves at Lyttelton, estimated at £1,500,000, to provide 'for motor transport by tunnel road, would mean increased wharfage charges or a special rate over the district, and that little or no benefit would accrue to primary producers by such a work. We can therefore approve of the proposal only on condition that increased charges or rates shall not be levied over those districts which will not derive benefit. “The following extract from the re-

port of the Direct Access to the Sea Commission, of 1930, is impressive:— ‘We attach considerable importance to the evidence of Mr James Carr, exchairman of the Ashburton County Council, in which lie indicated the relative importance of the Ashburton County trade to the port of Lyttelton, and gave particulars of the freight and wharfage charges to the ports of Lyttelton and Timaru respectively. From the figures supplied it is clear to us that any substantial increase in charges at Lyttelton with no corresponding increase at Timaru, must inevitably bring about a diversion of trade from the former to the latter port.’

Gorse in the Foothills. “Planting and Gorse Control—Du October 14 a conference of representatives of County Councils and Government Departments was held at Ashburton to consider the necessity for concerted action to control the spread of gt rse, particularly along the foothills of Canterbury. There was an excellent representation, presided over by the chairman of the Waimate County Council (Mr H. B. S. Johnstone). Mr Carr and I were this Council’s delegates. It was pointed out that in some of the Canterbury foothills the spread of gorse is alarming, threatening to put a considerable area of land out of production. To overcome the menace, it was suggested that the land affected be planted with pin us trees which would not only control the gorse, hut would bring other advantages such as the production of timber, attraction of rainfall, provision of windbreaks, prevention of river erosion, and conservation of moisture. “After discussion it was resolved: ‘That this fully-representative meeting of County Councils of Canterbury and other interested bodies urges upon the Government the necessity for the control and eradication of gorse, more particularly on the poorer lands along the foothills of Canterbury.’ A committee consisting of Messrs H. B. S. Johnstone (Waimate), C. J. Talbot (Mackenzie), O. B. Thacker (Akaroa), J. Deans (Malvern) and myself was appointed to consider the proTTlem and recommend what action should be taken. After the conference, delegates were motored to inspect a number of this Council’s plantations, and a sawmill at Mayfield.” Members stated that the Council should stand behind the Department of Agriculture in its endeavours to keep clean lands clear of gorse. It was not desired, however, that the Department should yse harassing methods. The chairman said the pest presented a difficult problem, and if it was kept in check it was about as far as anyone could go just at present. He thought the farmers generally were keeping Californian thistle in check also.

It was decided to support the Department in its efforts to control Californian thistle and noxious weeds, within reasonable limits. v '

The statement was adopted. “That, while regretting Mr G. Holford’s impending departure from Canterbury, this Council places on record its appreciation of the valuable services rendered by him to the province in the way of the development of irrigation, soil surveys, and other investigations which will ultimately lead to greater production and be of the utmost value to the primary producer and to the Dominion,” was the text of a resolution carried by the Council. It was resolved to ask Mr Holford to come to Ashburton and address a public meeting on irrigation before leaving Christchurch for the north.

The Engineer's Report.

The Engineer (Mr H. A. Vezey) reported as follows: “Water Supply.—With a period ot low rainfall and frequent north-west winds the water-race staff has been fully occupied in keeping sufficient water in the distributing races. Welcome rains on October 19 and 23 greatly improved the position, and at present there are ample supplies for all purposes. ‘‘Ashburton-Rakaia. —A fresli in the north branch of the Ashburton River early in the month cut out the Methven auxiliary intake, and supplies from this source were irregular -for some days. Gorso cuttings and debris blown into the races by the north-Avest Avinds also interfered with the junctions, and the correct distribution of Avater. At present all the intakes at the foothills

are in order witli satisfactory supplies in all main races. In the main Acton additional water has now been turned on as the irrigation farm is being supplied. ‘ ‘Ashburton-R angitata.—-The South Ashburton main race has continued to carry a steady flow, and the intake has required very little attention. Some alarm was caused by the rapid decrease in the flow of the Hinds Gorge races, and although every olfort was made, barely sufficient water was obtained. The low flow from the source was unprecedented; for this period of the year, 'but the rain showers towards the end of the period have replenished the supplies. “Methven H.P. Supply Race. —Additional cuts have been made into the supply race, and a greatly • increased flow has resulted. “New Races in Mt. Hutt District. — The surveys of the proposed Pudding Hill race diversion and the Blade Bridge race have been completed. Locality plans have been prepared in duplicate while the engineering plans are well under way. Roads and Bridges.

“The crushing plant continues to operate at. the Church Corner, Winchmore. During the period extra, pit stripping was carried out, and during the enforced idleness of the plant the opportunity was taken to carry out some fairly extensive repair work. The output for the month was 1225 cubic yards, all delivered to the AshburtonMet hven Read.

“Main Highways. field: Maintenance shingling has been carried out between the Lismore School and Austin’s Corner, a total of' 182 cubic yards being spread. Beach Road, Hakatere: The upper end of this highway fronting the Ashburton River has been surfaced with 37 cubic yards of maintenance shingle. AshburtonStaveley.—Fairly extensive patching and shingling has been carried out between Digby’s Bridge and O’Shea’s Creek, the output for the* period being 321 cubic yards of pit shingle.

“Main Roads.—A commencemeut/haj been made with the shingling of the lower portion of the Seafield Road between Charing Cross and the sea, 52 cubic yards so far having been spread. The Ashburton Gorge Road is being patched and graded. A set of pipes has been enlarged at the Coal Mine, while a set immediately above Mount Somers has been extended. The following main roads have been graded : Graham’s, Hinds-Rangitata Mouth, Lauriston, Barrliill-Methven, Ellery’s, Lagmhor, and Seafield. Roads in the Rangitata, Mount Somers, Ashburton and Upper Ashburton ridings have received attention.” *

The report was adopted. The Geraldine County Council suggested that the question of vesting a reserve in Rangitata Island, owned by the Ashburton Council, and the custody of the Rangitata traffic bridge in the Geraldine Council be considered by representatives of both councils. It was agreed to reply that, as the Ashburton Council was not favourable to such a proposal, no good purpose could be served by-a conference. On the recommendation of the Finance Committee, it was decided to approve of the chairman’s action in accepting the tender of E. C. Norrisli for the erection of' the Allenton fire station at £246. Rangitata Bridge Planking.

Another- recommendation from the Finance Committee, that the letter of the Main Highways Board, stating that it was not proposed to widen the longitudinal planking of the Bangitata Bridge, be received, and that a copy be forwarded to the Geraldine County Council, was also adopted. Mr J. M. Arnold (Lagmhor) waited on the council on behalf of several petitioners who desired the shingling (10 feet wide) of 1J miles of road from Mayfield to Westerfield in a southwesterly direction. The petitioners resided i'll the Upper Ashburton road district, and were greatly inconvenienced in the winter. The road had originally been cut up by traction engines taking wood from a plantation nearby. It was decided that the riding members should inspect the road and submit a report. The chairman stated that there; was no provision in the estimates for this work, hut the matter would be considered.

The Defence Department was granted permission to use the property rented by Mr Peter from the council at Cavendish, Mount Somers, for a combined camp in February. Mr Peter had already given his sanction. It was also’ agreed to provide the camp with wood. The request for a supply of water from the Wakanui Creek made by Mrs M. Walsh was referred to the riding members for a report. The Ashley 'County Council wrote thanking the council for the hospitality accorded its delegates at the recent gorse conference ‘held in Ashburton. “A day well spent,” was the manner in which the delegates described the conference. '

The Royal Humane' Society of New Zealand was granted £1 Is. The clerk (Mr G. Kelly) stated that there had been no objections to the council’s proposal to apply to the Local Government Loans Board for permission to raise the following loans: — Methven drainage, £6870; Methven drainage advances, £2oooj Methven water supply, £2BIO. On -the motion of Messrs Carr and Campion, it was decided to apply to the board for the necessary sanction.

Replying to- Mr Taylor, the engineer stated that the District Highways Engineer considered the culverts provided in the Main South Road to cope with the storm-water near Winslow were sufficient, but if they were not big enough they would be replaced. It was decided that investigations should be made regarding the site of the Mayfield library in order to retain it on the present site.