SELWYN COUNTY COUNCIL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXI, Issue 7228, 30 April 1884, Page 3

SELWYN COUNTY COUNCIL.

Tho usual monthly mooting of tho Selwyn County Council was hold at 10.30 a.m. yesterday 5 present—Messrs H. J. Mathias (Chairman), F. Jones, D. M'Millnn, H. W. Peryman, J. Rennie, W. JDunlop, and R. Westenra. LEAVE OP ABSENCE. Mr M’Millan asked leave of absence for Mr Bruce for the present mooting. Leave was granted as requested. CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT. The Chairman made the following statement ; Planting Reserve at New Brighton.— The Committee appointed at last mooting have visited this reserve and selected the portion considered most suitable for planting. Their report will bo laid before you. Drainage at Greenpark.—The residents at Qreenpark who recently applied to the Council to provide drainage for their land, have guaranteed to find the cost of tho works if tho Council will undertake them. A communication has also been received from Mr Andrew, through whoso land it is proposed to construct tlie drain. Selwyn Conservancy.—l have received a letter from Mr G. H. Brown, asking whether tho sum of .£SOO, voted some years ago for protective works on tho River Selwyn, Is still available for the work ? Tho money was voted conditionally on tho residents taking steps to form a conservators’ district. Dog Registration.—Mr Robert # Montgomery applies to have the fees for the registration of rabbitera’ dogs fixed at Is each. Eakaia bridge.—The Ashburton County Council have sent me a copy of the resolution passed by them in reply to the claim made by tho Government for a refund of the cost of repairing the planking of the Eakaia bridge. Eakaia Gorge bridge.—l have received a letter from the District Engineer, asking the Council to approve of the balance to tho credit of the special account for the Eakaia Gorge bridge and approaches being transferred to the public account; there is a balance still due to the Ashburton County Council, which should be retained. Spreydon Eoad Board.—The Spreydon Eoad Board asked for a grant in aid of the maintenance of the Lincoln road; a recent application from this Board for a grant for clearing the rivers in the district was deferred till after the close of the financial year, and should be borne in mind in dealing with the funds to the credit of the district. Water-races. —Mr J. Deans wishes to have an interview with the Council respecting the Greendale water-race. A petition has been sent in by the ratepayers of-the Templeton district, asking that that part of the district known as the Waimakariri Eiver bed may be included in the waterrace district. A special meeting of the Council has been’ called for Wednesday, May 14, at 10 a.m., to make by-laws for the water-races in the County. The usual monthly report of the overseer of the Malvern water-race has been received. Slaughter-houses.—The Inspector’s monthly report has been received; also a special report on a complaint that a quantity of blood from the freezing works at Belfast had been running into Kapitone Creek. It appears that on one occasion, owing to an accident, blood was flowing from the Freezing Companyfs works to the creek for about 20 minutes.—Circulars have been received from the following persons:— Austin, Kirk and Co., with list of drain pipes, &c.; Mr W. Badger, with prospectus of publication on the law of New Zealand. . Latter’s Bridge.—A deputation from the residents of Colombo road propose waiting on the Council in reference to the reduction in tue width of the bridge known as Latter’s Bridge. PLANTING RESERVE. The Committee appointed to consider the subject of planting the New Brighton reserve recommended that a portion of. it, containing about 50 acres, was the most! suitable for planting. It was im. close proximity to population, was fenced on one side, and the soil was suitable for treegrowing. The distance from Christchurch, was between three and four miles. The report was adopted on the motion of Mr Dunlop, seconded by Mr Peryman. DRAINAGE AT GREENPARK. A letter was read from Mr Andrews, objecting to have an open drain carried across his land at Greenpark, and stating that there was another drain in the locality which would answer the purpose. Messrs Andrews and J. Parish waited on the Council with reference to the matter. A long conversation, illustrated by reference to plans and documents, took place. The Council advised the parties concerned to settle the matter among themselves, Mr Andrews remarked that he had no objection to having a drain carried through his property near the boundary, provided it was fenced and kept in. order. LATTER’S BRIDGE. The Eev H. B. Cocks and Captain Fisher waited on the Council with reference to the reduction in the width of Latter’s bridge, which it was proposed to make narrower, now that it was being repaired after the recent accident to it. Some time ago, they stated, the residents in the locality had subscribed over .£9O in order to have the bridge made wider. Mr F. Jones said that it was merely a matter of £ s. d. The money subscribed by the residents had been spent in good faith, but there were now really no' funds available for the work. He believed that the Heathcote Eoad Board proposed to put up a footbridge at a cost of .£lO or .£l2, if there was any money to spare. The deputation pointed out that the narrowing of the bridge would be dangerous. After some further conversation, the Council promised to take the matter into consideration, and the deputation withdrew. Mr Westenra ‘ said that if, as appeared, an agreement had been made between the people of the locality and the Heathcote Eoad Board that the bridge should be maintained of a certain width, it would be as well to re-consider the vote to the district. He would like to see what correspondence there was on the subject. The Chairman thought that perhaps a Committee might be appointed to take tho matter into consideration.

Mr Jones was of opinion that there had been an agreement to construct the bridge of a certain width, but none that it should be kept at that width under all circumstances. It seemed that a portion of the bridge had been washed away, and that the funds of the Eoad Board would not allow them to reinstate it the full width of 40ft. At the same time, everyone would be glad if that could be done. If the bridge were of faulty construction, or had been neglected, that of course would alter the matter. It was remarked that the Council would not be bound by any agreement made with the Eoad Board. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr M'Millan, seconded by Mr Eennie —“ That the Council regret that their funds are insufficient to enable them to rebuild Latter’s bridge the full width of the road, and that they cannot recognise any liability on account of any agreement which may have been made by the ratepayers with the Heathcote Eoad Board.” SBLWYN CONSBEVANCY. Mr Eennie reported that he had made some enquiries on the subject mentioned in Mr Brown’s letter re Selwyn Conservancy. He thought that an expenditure of JBISO would tend to stop the encroachments of the river. The residents of the district thought that it would be too expensive to form a Board. If works were erected on the south side they would not endanger the safety of the other bank. After a desultory conversation, Mr Westenra suggested that the matter should be referred to the Eoad Board. It was decided on the motion of Mr Peryman, seconded by Mr Westenra —" That

Mr Brown’s letter bo referred to tho Ellesmere Head Board for their consideration.” OUF.ENDALE water-rack. Mr J. Deans, accompanied by Mr J. C. Martin, interviewed the Council with reference to the Greondale watcr-raco. It appeared that the Council intend to include Mr Deans’ land in the water-race district, with an understanding that it is not to ho rated, on consideration of hia allowing the bead works to ho constructed on his property. •Mr Martin suggested that a special clause, exempting Mr Deans’ land from rates, should ho inserted in the agreement. The Council agreed to the suggestion, provided the clause in question is approved by their solicitor’. DOG REGISTRATION. The Council decided that they could not grant Mr Robert Montgomery’s request that the registration fee for rabbitors* dogs should bo reduced to one shilling. BAKAIA BRIDGE. It was decided to agree with the views expressed by the Ashburton County Council on the subject of the refund of the money expended in re-plauking the Eakaia Bridge. BAKAIA GORGE BRIDGE. The Council resolved to get further information before agreeing to the balance at the credit of the special account for the Eakaia Gorge Bridge being transferred to the public account. LINCOLN EOAD. On flhe motion of Mr Peryman, it was agreed to grant tho sum of .£SO to the Sproydon Eoad Board for the maintenance of the Lincoln road. TEMPLETON ROAD DISTRICT. With regard to the petition from certain ratepayers in the Templeton Eoad district asking that the old Waimakariri river bed might be included in the Greendalo Waterrace district, it was agreed to reply that the interests of tho petitioners would not be neglected by tbe Council. SPECIAL MEETING, It was resolved to hold a special meeting of tbe Council on May 14, for the purpose of making by-laws for tho management of the water-races. „ • WATER BATE. It was resolved to instruct the caretaker of the Malvern water-race to take proceedings against all persons who had not paid their water rates. CROSSINGS OVER WATER-RACE. A letter was read from the Eakaia Eoad Board, requesting that in all cases where branches were made 9 to convey water from the race to private property, suitable crossings or culverts should be constructed by the Council out of the water-race funds. They suggested open crossings in preference to culverts. ' Mr'M'Millan moved —“That the recommendation of the Eakaia Eoad Board be agreed to.” The motion was carried nem con. The report of the Inspector of Slaughterhouses was read. Accounts amounting to <£6BG 11s 8d were passed for payment, and the Council adjourned.