COUNTY COUNCIL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 18, 1 November 1940, Page 6

COUNTY COUNCIL

HINDS DRAINAGE SCHEME.

CABINET’S DECISION AWAITED. BUSINESS DONE TO-DAY. There were present at the monthly meeting of the Ashburton County Council to-day, the chairman (Mr S. P. Taylor) and Messrs J. Bland, J. Moore, W. G. Gallagher, J. Carr, A. Doig, F. Frampton and H. J. Crothers. It was decided to advise Messrs Lane. Neave and Wanklyn that it was not the Council’s responsibility to remove gorse on a property at Methven occupied by Mr A. J. Wilson. It was stated that a. report ion the Ashburton River work would be available shortly from the Public Works Department. Because of the possibility of flooding through Methven it was agreed to ask the Public Works Department to supply the plans of a proposed siphon under the irrigation channel in the district. The chairman (Mr S. P. Taylor) reported as follows: “Accompanied by Messrs Carr, With ell, Moore and Frampton and officers of the Council, I attended the ceremony of the laying of the first of the 12ft pipes of the Sur rey Hills siphon by, the Minister of Public Works (the 'Hon. R. Semple) and had the honour on behalf of the County of extending a welcome to the Minister.” Hinds Drainage Scheme. “With the co-operation of Mr T. D. Burnett, M.P., we took the opportunity of interviewing the Minister, pointing out that the Uoyernment’s decision in regard to-the assistance it would offer toward the carrying out of the Aslibur-ton-Hinds drainage scheme had not been announced, and was informed by him that he realised the necessity for the work and' would do his utmost to assist in the scheme. Owing to heavy pressure of work on the officers of tlie Department, their report on the Council’s proposals had not been completed, hut it was expected that within a period of three weeks tlie reports would be available# and would then be submitted to Cabinet for its decision.

“While the delay in submitting figures of costs and rates to the ratepayers of the area is causing concern and disappointment, we must await the decision of the Government with patience, as without generous Government assistance it is unlikely that.the ratepayers could afford to proceed with the work.” Reporting on a recent meeting of the Canteirbury Provincial Patriotic Council, Mr H. J. Crothers said) that the 'Governor-General, had stated that it was desired to decentralise patriotic funds from Wellington, so that local committees would have more responsibility. The Engineer fMr H, A. Vezey) reported that two moderate floods occurred -in the Rakaia River, the first did not do any damage but the second one on Friday, October 18, washed out tlie temporary bag dam at tlie Acton intake. Immediate attention was given and the supply was restored at .midday on Tuesday, October 22. Steps have been taken to make this intake more permanent. Owing to the large flow of water into the Acton channel from the bill races a large number of distributing races were partly supplied while the Acton intake was being repaired. Except for this one short period both tlie Acton main and submain races carried a steady and sufficient flow.

An average of 14 workers on No. 13 Scheme have been employed clearing undergrowth from the Hinds riverbed. A satisfactory clearance has been made from tho Poplar Road bridge to a point a few chains above the Hinds Railway Bridge. Four workers have made a clearance of the planted reserve between the Rakaia Bridge and the Acton intake. One man has been engaged clearing gorse and broom from plantation reserves at Hinds. Application for Bridges.

Mr E. R. Ensor has made application for motor bridges for two* creek crossings on the track from the Double Hill Road to the “Glenariffe” homestead. As this is not a legal road it does not seem that the Council has any responsibility in the matter. The only suitable old timber on hand is Ashburton bridge piles which could be used for hearers.

In connection with a petition from Mr R. B. Robinson and others regarding a proposed outfall channel, it- seems certain that the Public Works Department intends to construct an outfall channel to the North Ashburton River in tbps locality. The proposals have not been finalised.

It was decided to* supply material at a nominal cost for bridges on Mr E. R. Elisor’s property. It was decided to supply material four bridges at Mesopotamia, on tlic application iof Mr R. Ruick.

The petition regarding the proposed outfall channel west of the Borough was again considered. It was stated that there uould probably be no alternative hut to allow the Public Works Department to construct the channel. The Council had done all possible.

It was decided to hold over the appointment of a rabbiter until a later date. The Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. W. Parry) advised that although, tlic bringing of British children to New Zealand had 1 been delayed it was necessary to keep lists of offered homes available.

It- was agreed as usual to assist the Health Camp Committee with transport to the camp site at Methven early next year.