WORK STOPPED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 124, 7 March 1941, Page 6

WORK STOPPED

ASHBURTON RIVER CONTROL. APPEAL FOR ITS CONTINUANCE. DECISIONS OF COUNTY COUNCIL. A statement that-an order had been issued that control work which has been in progress in the Ashburton river-bed over the last few months was to be stopped to-day, was made at the Ashburton County Council meeting this morning. The County Clerk (Mr G. Kelly) said that on receipt of this advice he had sent a telegram to the Minister of Public Works (the Hon. H. T. Armstrong) pointing out that the work was nearly completed. The people of the County would he shocked if the work was left undone, and tho Council appealed to the Minister to have the work carried on.

The Minister of Finance (the Hon. W. Nash) wrote that the Ashburton River control scheme was being investigated further, so that no definite decision on the question was possible yet. As far as the Ashburton-Hinds drainage scheme was concerned, the Department was working on the survey and report, but it would be appreciated that in the present difficult times such, extensive investigations take somewhat longer than normally. There were present at the meeting Messrs S. P. Taylor (chairman), J. Lowery, J. Bland, J. Moore, J. Carr, H. C. B. Withell, C. A. Campion, A. Doig, F. Frampton and H. J. Crothers. The County Engineer (Mr H. A. Vezey) reported that except for the Chertsey-Rakaia district and the small area supplied from the Limestone Creek above Mayfield, water supplies have been sufficient and any temporary shortages have been caused by blockages in the distributing races. A special report is being prepared on the shortage in the Chertsey aiid Rakaia districts. The fire-fighting plant had been sent to eight fires. In connection with fires in the County in the last month, the Council expressed appreciation of the work done by the Council’s fire-fighting plant. On advice received from the treasury regarding tho paving loan, the launching of which had been held up through lack of sanction of Government assistance, the Council decided to allow tho authority to lapse in the meantime. Application for its renewal will be made at a more appropriate time. f With regard to the Ruapuna loans, which. Originally amounted to £7324, tho clerk stated that the yearly interest total had been reduced to £59 4s iOd against a yearly amount of £256 previously paid, and the loans would very soon be paid off altogether. It was decided to ask the Borough Council to collect Allenton and Ashburton river-control rates. This, it was stated, would save the- preparation of a Special roll and. the sending out of special rate notices, while there would be only one office for payment instead of two..