COUNTY AFFAIRS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 45, 2 December 1938, Page 6

COUNTY AFFAIRS

WESTERN WATER SUPPLY.

SUGGESTION FOR A NEW RACE. DECISIONS OF THE COUNCIL. The Ashburton County Council met to-day, when there were present Messrs H. J. Crothers (chairman), W. G. Gallagher, S. P. Taylor, F. Frampton, J. Lambic, C. A. Campion, J. Carr, H. C. B. AVitbeip ,1, Moore and W. .1. Lowery.

A report in regard to the recent meeting of the Canterbury Centennial Committee in Christchurch was presented by Mr Frampton, who attended the meeting in company with the County Clerk (Mr G. Kelly). ‘ Mr Frampton said that the arrangements for the Canterbury Court at the Exhibition were well under way, and

a meeting of the committee at Ashburton .would 'go into the question of local exhibits. The celebrations in the several districts would be gone into by a special committee. The Chamber of Commerce should be approached in regard to the supply of exhibits. The County Clerk said it had been asked whether each district should hold its own celebration,, or whether there should be one big celebration in Ashburton, all local bodies combining. Suggested Stock Race. Mr Carr suggested that a new stock supply race should be constructed to feed the 10,000 to 12,000 acres in the western areas of the Mt. Hutt Riding above the irrigation channel, and using water from the Pudding Hill dam. The proposal had been before the Council previously but had always been shelved. It was not known whether any water for stock would be available for the irrigation channel for the country below . the channel.

The County Clerk stated that the Public. Works Department had made a statement that it would make water available for stock throughout the County.

It was agreed to communicate with Mr T. G. Beck (engineer in charge of the irrigation work) seeking an assurance in regard to the continuation of a stock supply, and suggesting that the new and higher race might be constructed in conjunction with the irrigation excavation.

The Engineer (Mr H. A. Vezey) reported as follows: “Water Supply: Ashburton-Rakaia —During the period the supplies from all sources in the foothills have been satisfactory. Although in a fairly temporary position, the Methven Auxiliary Intake has functioned satisfactorily. Although the Pudding Hill races were light for a few days, the Rakaia District has been well supplied. An improved supply has been obtained from the Auxiliary Main races in the Chertsey-Ovei dale District. Light freshes in the Rakaia River did not affect the supply to the Main Acton race and full supplies have been obtained. The Lower Acton race has been overhauled and the Dorie District is well supplied. So far there lias been an ample supply to all farms, but the smaller distributing races are becoming over-grown with vegetation andi a dry spell may have serious consequences. Tlie level of the North Branch of the Ashburton River has remained fairly steady, and plentiful supplies have been available at both the Winchmore and the Mill Intakes. Excepting for a few days when the supply was eased for cleaning purposes, the flow in the Winchmore Main

Race has been steady and distributing races have been well'supplied. The Mill Crook supply has been increased slightly. Spring Water Continues to Flow. “Ashburton-Rairgitata— Owing to the decrease in the flow of spring water, the flow in the Lagmhor Creek has been increased. The cleaning of this channel has been completed. A full .supply has been obtained from the South Ashburton intake. Some extra work was required at the intake after a. drop in the level of the river on. November 17.. The Hinds Gorge supply has been sufficient, although! all the available water has been utilised* The top end of the Main Race will be cleaned shortly. The Limestone supply has been satisfactory. The level of the dam has dropped amd rain is required to replenish tiie reserve supply. The Mount Somers races continue to supply all distributing races, although continued tampering above the township causes inconvenience. The Klondyke main race has carried a full supply to the Riuapuna district. The Rangitata, Lismore, Coldstream and Hinds districts have been well watered by the Cracroft main race. The annual cleaning of the Lismore sub-main has been completed. Spring water still continues to flow in the Willowby, Flemington, Ashton and Waterton districts.

“Government Grants —The contractor has made steady progress with the ejection of Bland’s Bridge. AIL piles have been, driven and caps and corbels fitted.

“Crushing Plant—The plant is now located in Nish’s pit near the Ashbur-ton-R-akaia Gorge Main Highway, and a commencement has been made- with the reconstruction of the WinchinoreMethven section of this highway.” Mr C. Boa veil, Eiffelton, made a request for a bridge over the Hinds River at Lynn ford, where, he considered, there was considerable danger to users of tin' crossing. The writer enclosed a letter received from the Minister for Public works (the Hon. R. Semple) stating that there was scarcely sufficient traffic to warrant the expense of a full width bridge, and in the meantime a suspension footbridge should meet the needs of the school children. If the Council made application for half the cost of such a bridge, be would further consider the question. The County Engineer stated that a bridge as suggested would cost £IOOO, find there was a possibility of the school being consolidated, and the cbildien would not then use the crossing. The location was 140 chains fi;om the Hinds River bridge. It was decided tojisk the Lynnloid School Committee if there is a- possibility of consolidation in the near future. When the deputation had retired the Council decided to hold over the ques-

tion of a grant to the Museum funds'. The Minister for Internal Affairs (the Hon. \Y. E. Parry) wrote in regard to the carrying into effect of the Physical Welfare and Recreation Act, and the setting up of district committees. He suggested that the personnel should vary from 10 to 12 in the cities to 6 to S in the smaller centres. Their functions would be to carry out a survery of tin* reereatonal facilities of the districts as a preliminary to the Government making grants.

Tt was decided that the whole Council should act on the local committee.

The Department of Internal Affairs wrote on the subject of the prevention of the spread of hydatid disease, stating that regulations had been issued regarding the remedy known as a recoline hydro-bromide. A copy ol the regulations should be given to each person registering a dog. and the lee for the remedy was Is per dog, whether or not the dog suffered from hydatids. It was compulsory to purchase the remedy.

The chairman said the disease was a very serious one, and the Government was doing its best to stamp it out. If the dog owners carried on; their part it would mean the disease would bo stamped out. Members agreed with this.