ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Press, Volume XLIV, Issue 6877, 8 October 1887, Page 6

ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Tbe regular meeting of the Ashburton County CoahcO was held on Friday. Present—Messrs B. G. Wright, Coster, McLean, Leadley, J. Jackson. Mr K. G Wright was voted to the chair in the absence oTMr W. C. Walker. The CaAiBMAJf stated that a Gazette notice had* been received, containing an order in Council placing the Mount Somers Cemetery under the control of the Council. A tender had been accepted for making up the breach at Digby's bridge caused by the the recent flood. The audited balancesheet for the six months ending 30th September was ou the table. It would be seen that the amount of rates collected to date was £4807 12s Id leaving £11913s 3d outstanding. A total of 116*4 dog collars had been sold, producing revenue to the amount of £361 15s Bd. The general elections for the new Councu would take place on 16th November next. . . ... Mr Weight supplemented this statement by drawing attention to the fact that the Bank overdraft stood at £2848. All the subsidies were in, and the rates to be collected only amounted to £119 13s 3d. There was due by the Council on account of contribution for hospital and charitable aid, the sum of £550, so that by the time the accounts on the pay-sheet were passed, the overdraft would stand at something like £3780. As this was the last meeting but one of the present Council, he felt it only right to draw attention to the Council's financial position. It was now a question as to whether the matter should be dealt with by the present members, or be allowed to stand over for the new Council. He thought the more manly course to pursue would be for the present Council to take the matter up and discuss the question as to whether a county or water rate should be struck. The Engineer's report was read and considered. It was resolved to send to the South Rakaia Road Board a copy of the Engineer's report, pointing out that there was still considerable waste of water about I the Rakaia township, chiefly through the condition of the fords and race formed by the Road Board. The Engineer reported that a good deal more required to be done to restore the plantation near Benny's, burnt down last year. It was decided to communicate with Mr Hawdonand request him to satisfactorily complete the work of re-planting according to his promise. On the motion of Mr Coster, seconded by Mr McLean, Mr E. G. Wright was appointed Treasurer during Mr W. C. Walker's absence. Mr Hoatlen interviewed the Council with reference to the water-race to the irrigation farm. Owing to a misunderstanding, a race had been made down the road, and the water had ceased running in the race made through his property. The Council decided that the water should be allowed to run in both races in future. „ . „ Mr P. Stewart and Mr T. Walsh waited on the Council and asked for a deviation of a water-race now going through Mr Corbitt's land. They did not wish the Council to bear the whole cost of the work, but they thought it would be hard on them if they had to pay for the whole of I the work to he done.

The Chairman informed the deputation that the deviation would be consented to, but the question of the Council paying for the alteration would be a matter for consideration.

After the deputation had retired the question was discussed, and the Council decided that the cost of the deviation must be borne by the parties interested. A strong deputation of residents from the Wakanui district waited on the Council in support of a written complaint with reference to obstructions to natural watercourses, these obstructions having the effect of throwing a large body of water on to Wilson's road in time of flood, and also flooding many sections of land in the district.

Mr D. Wilson addressed the Council at length, and asked that the Council would enforce the notices that had been served on

certain owners to remove obstructions so as to allow the storm water j!|o flow in its natural course. With one c xception the owners of property have refused to remove the obstructions. Mr S. Brown also addressed the Council, and suggested that steps should be taken to keep the water iv the river. As far as he was personally concerned it would put him to great expense to remove sod fences and erect floodgates, and no good purpose would be served thereby. So" far as Mr Jamieson and himself were concerned, they had never placed any obstructions to the natural flow of the water, but he (Mr Brown) had suffered serious damage through his own land being flooded.

After the deputation had retired, the matter was discussed, and it was decided —" That the Council adhere to its action, determined upon at the last meeting, and that the Wakanui Road Board be notified

that, the corner of the road must be cut down, so as to allow storm water to follow its original course." A deputation from residents in the Wheatstone, Ashton, and Waterton districts waited on the Council with reference to a large overflow of water that was occasionally taking place down Graham's road and on to the land in and around Wheatstone, Ashton, and Waterton. Mr Taylor and Mr Bishop pointed out that the overflow was caused, to a great extent, through defects on the Lagmhor road and near Tinwald. More of the storm water should be caused to flow down Carter's creek, and if this were done great relief would be afforded and less water would be sent down Graham's road.

Mr G. Gilmour also addressed the Council to similar effect, and said that at present too much water went into Houston's creek at Tinwald. The Engineer was requested to inspect the districts mentioned by the deputation, and to report on the best method of dealing with the accumulations of storm water complained of. A letter was read from Mr William Gerard, stating that the late flood had made the Black Mountain track impassable. Mr Gerard made an offer to put the track in repair for £30, and to keep it in repair up to Ist May, 1890, for the sum of £20 a year. The Council agreed to contribute onehalf the cost if the Mount Hutt Road Board would contribute the other half.

A letter was read from the Ashburton Borough Council,, enclosing resolution with reference to supplying the Hainpstead Town Board district with water.

A letter from the South Rakaia Road Board with reference to the control of Rakaia-Wakanui boundary road was held over to be dealt with at next meeting of the Council. It was decided to contribute at the rate of Is per 100 for heads and eggs of small birds.

An application from the South Rakaia Road Board to lay off two acres of reserve 173 for a gravel pit was granted. A letter from the Mount Somers Road Board, with reference to damage done on the tramway road, was held over till next meeting. It was resolved that, at the next meeting of the Council a rate of one-eighth of a penny in the pound be struck for charitable aid purposes, and Jd in the £ for general county expenditure. Leave of absence was granted to Mr W. C. Walker during the present session of Parliament.

Tenders were accepted as follows:— Montalto water race,. Mr Fawcett. Some miscellaneous business was transacted, and the Council adjourned till November 4tb.