ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL

Press, Volume L, Issue 8476, 6 May 1893, Page 9

ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL

The monthly meeting of the Ashburton CountyCohncil was held yesterday. Preseal—Son. W. C. Walker, Chairman, Messrs J. Brown, D. Cameron. H. Friedlander, J. Grigg, W. McMillan, C. J. Harper, E. G. Wright. The Chairman stated that tho Commissioner of Crown Lands had decided to change tho purpose of part resoive 2938, Hinds, from a plantation reserve to that of a cemetery reserve, this being the site suggested for a cemetery. Application had been made by the Geraldine County Council, and the Ashburton Council for the necessary laud for approaches to the stock bridge ovor the Rangitat* rivor. The Minister of Lands had intimated that a grant of £28 would be made towards providing a water supply for the Dromore Village Settlement. The Mount Somers Road Board had applied for a grant towards maintaining tho main road bo Alford Forest. Beforo proceeding with the ordinary business tho Chairman moved — "That this Council desires to place on record its appreciation of the services of the late Mr Bailanoe, Premier of the colony, its doop rogrob ab his death, and that a letter expressing the sympathy of the Council be forwarded to Mis Ballance." In moving tho resolution the~Hou. W. C. Walker paid a high tribute to the late Premier* many excellent qualities. Mr E. ii. Wriuhv secondod the motion, and in doing so said thab however much one might have differed with the late Premier in ..politic-., all. could sympathise .with suffering humanity. The case of tho Hon. J. Ballance had been no common ono, and it Was a matter of very deep regret thab he should have been strickeu down stf soon after he had reached tho goal of his ambitipn. _ . # - The motion was carried unanimously. The Engineer's report was then dealt With. '

On the motion of Mr Wbioh* ib waa decided in the matter of Mr Shillito's application for a water-racd, to communicate with the Commissioner of Crown Lands asking for an assurance that the thirds accruing annually be paid over for the reduction, of tho cost of construction and nuvintouancjo." On the motion of Mr WiudtiT, Becottdod by Mr ÜBiao, it was resolved that in the matter of the Hinds water supply the Engl* neor's plana be appiovud, and if woe decided to forward a copy to the Minister of Lands, with a request that ho will furnish tho funds necessary for tho work on behalf of the Hinds farm homestead and vUlage settlement settlers. > Mr Friedlander reported that with reference to the Wesberfiold mill water supply arrangements had been made with Mr Lublow to. continue tho present agreement for anothor„year. . The Committee reported thas the Canter" bury College Estates Committee had been approached with reference, to an casement along Q'Shea'a creek. Tha authorities had offered no objection, but before giving their consent hftd decided to send an independent engineer to report on the' matter.

Touching the Wakanui creek question, the Chairman reported that all tho settlers bub two had; agreed to tho conditions of an easement along tho crock. Mr James UrOWU wished the Council to takajfover i control of the intakes of both', tu<T mill supplies, and also dokired to be Aupplied witli information as to the quantity of water tho Council would be likely to send through his.proper by if ib wore decided to provide a toil race for the Wakanui mill supply. ',•.■•- ",-:.'"." ;i it was decided that the Information asked for bo furnished, aud that tho Chairman endeavour to, make a satisfactory arrangement with Mr Brown.

Accounts amounting to £642 were pained for payment. . It, was decided to forward the deed relating to the erection of the Rangitata stock bridge to the Geraldine County Council, asking that body to signify their approval of it in writing. •''.... ' . .'Tha Council decided that it could hot entertain an application from Mount Somers Road. Board for a grant towards the maintenance of the main road to Alford Forest.

It was decided to proceed with the work of tha Dromore village- settlement) water supply subject to tho Commissioner of Crown Lands approving of the plans of, the Council's engineer. On the motion of Mr Frikdlander, seconded by Mr Harper, the Engineer was instructed to report on the condition of the Mount Somers tramway line. Mr Brown moved for a return showing the amount expended during the lost year for tho destruction of small birds in tho various Road Board districts in the county. A letter was received f romthe Charitable Aid Board, stating that the Council's contribution for the current year had beun fixed at £977 Is 4d. The amount last) year was £81413a10d.

His.Worship the Mayor (Mr R. Mr D. Thomas, on behalf of the Borough Council, appeared as a deputation and drew attention .to, the desirableness of lighting tho Ashburton bridge at night. The Borough Council would be prepared to pay their share, of the oost of lighting, and had already decided to place a lamp at the approach ou the northern side. . The deputation retired, and on the motion of Mr Wright ib was decided that two gas lamps be placed at tho north approach to the Ashburton bridge. '•. Mr Crooks, Chairman of the Tfampst-ad Town Board, waited on the Council and urged, that the bridge oyer the creek near Mr L. Markey's house, on the road to the saleyards, be put in a proper state of repair. On the motion of Mr Brown, , the Engineer was instructed to report on the cost of repairing the present bridge or replacing it by a wider and more substantial structure to meet the requirements of the increased traffic, the Engineer also to make enquiries end report on whom the liability for the maintenance of the bridge rested. The Cbmmitteo appointed for the purpose reported on the question of an additional Water Ranger. The Engineer had drawn up a report on the matter, defining an area on the south side pf. the Ashburton rfver > to constitute a separato" water supply district, the new Ranger to havo charge .of the proposed district. The report was- adopted, applications for the position of Ranger to be Invited. _ : . . . _> Mr 8011, Waterton, renewed an application for. deviation of a water-race through his property. The Engineer had reported on the matter, and a copy of his ropprt was ordered to be sent to Mr Bell.

On the mobion of Mr Fbibdlander, seconded by Mr Harper, it was resolved— " That the Chairman take immediate'steps to enquire into the existing authority under which the Canterbury mill owners divert* water from the Ashburton river into the Wakanui creek near the Alford Forest road, with power to take prompt action if necessary to proteot the Council's interests." * The tender of the Ashburton Drug Company was accepted for a supply of poisoned wheat at lis lid per bushel, with ls extra if supplied in 101b bags. It was decided that it be optional for Road Boards to take their proportion of the cum voted either in poisoned grain or in money, such choice to be limited to a period to the end of May. ' • The following tenders were accepted :— Planted reserves—l 436, T. Cairns; 1418, George Cole; 2569, F. Peter; 1778, Tfibs. Carroll; 2820, Thoa. Charles ; 2821, 0.-J. Harper; part 1770, 20 acres, P. kysaght. Unplanted reserves—-30,029, E. GV Wright; 2561, 90 acres, R. Anderson ; 2561,63 acres, C. Jaine, Enlarging main race—J. Dovery, £88; 16s; Mont Alto, J. Downte,:£l7 15s lOd ; Shillito'a race, N. Nicholas, £1110s. Tbe Council adjourned till the fiwt Friday in Jane. -