TOUR OF INSPECTION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 65, Issue 191, 26 May 1945, Page 2

TOUR OF INSPECTION.

ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL. | A PLANTATION TO BE SOLD. Plantations and localities where j various problems have occurred in connection with drainage, river clearing and damage by floods were inspected by the County Council yesterday. It was decided to sell a 74-acre plantation of oregons at Yaletta for timber and firewood. Properties near Mount Somers, where land-occupiers have encountered difficulties with drainage owing to springs, were inspected. It was found that water rising on some properties had been crossing roads and going through fences onto neighbouring areas and retarding cultivation programmes. It was agreed to obtain legal advice regarding the location of natural channels. The question of planting the Mount Somers tramway reserve in trees was held over. The tramway having been lifted, it was thought that this would be the best means of keeping the gorse down. Members expressed satisfaction at the growth of young plantations in the Alford Forest district. A decision concerning the purchase of another block there for a plantation was deferred till the next meeting. While at Alford Forest the Council witnessed a demonstration of a waterlace plough drawn by a tractor. It was agreed that the implement might be very useful to the Council for cleaning water races and it was resolved to communicate with the owner after the matter had be.cn further considered. Full consideration of the recommendations from ratepayers affected by the Ashburten-I-lmds drainage proposals—that a modified scheme be gone ahead with —was held over till the next meeting, the member for the riding concerned (Mr S. P. Taylor-) being unavoidably absent. ' Those present were the County ! Chairman (Mr H. C. B. Withell) and Messrs A. G. Holmes, H. A. Harrison, M D. McDowell. L. L. Richards, W. G. Gallagher, )H. MacKenzie, J. Bland, M. S. Turton and J. T. Morgan.