COUNTY WORKS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 66, Issue 303, 4 October 1946, Page 4

COUNTY WORKS

PROGRESS DURING SEPTEMBER ENGINEER’S REVIEW Reviewing the progress of county works during last month, the engineer (Mr R. L. Lindsay) reported to this morning’s meeting of the Ashburton County Council as follows: — “A good water supply has been maintained in all races in the Ashbur-ton-Rakaia area during the month. Strong north-west winds blew ,large quantities of straw and debris. into the races and at times junctions, syphons and culverts were badly blocked. During periods of heavy rain the Mill Creek and races fed from, it are affected by flooding even though the gates at the Mill intake and Winchmore submain are shut down. The position is aggravated by the fact that large quantities of flood water find their way into the Winchmore submain Which feeds the Mill Creek. Investigations are now being carried out with a view to turning this water back into the Ashburton River in the vicinity of the Mill intake, and if such a scheme is possible it will give relief to areas lower down.

“AH supplies in the AshburtonRangitata area are adequate, but here also difficulty was experienced with debris, blown into the races by the strong' winds, blocking junctions, syphons and culverts. The Hinds ranger reports that a number of syphons are leaking in his area. .This matter will be taken up with the Public Works Department. , “The crushing plant output for the month was 3642 cubic yards. The bulk of thisi was spread on the Dar-fleld-Arundel main highway and roads in the Alford Forest district; the' remainder was stock piled. Mount Hutt Riding

“The following work was carried out by angledozer No. 1. Clearing reserves in Mount Hutt Riding; diverting flood water from shingle fan from which the Mount Hutt race derives its supply; clearing gorse from banks of Mount Jlutt race and deepening and cleaning the race itself; improving corners on Rakaia Gorge section of the DarfieldArundel main highway. The machine was also hired by various ratepayers in accordance with, agreements made some three years ago. “Angledozer No. 2 was engaged on clearing up the road frontages of Reserves in the Carew district. At, the present time it is being used to clear road frontages and prepare firebreaks around areas to he planted in the Spilingbum .and Alford Forest, districts.

“The bridge gang carried out the following w T orks during the month: — Erection of approach fences at Pudding Hill bridge; repairs to bridge on Hackthorne Road; construction of water race junction at Barrhill; renewal of water-race flume in Quantocks at Anama; repairs to flume on Prices Road; erection of earth planks and guard fence on Wakanui Creek culvert, Christies Road; repairs to approach fences; at Mount Somers bridge.” 1