ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXV, Issue 7754, 11 January 1886, Page 6

ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

The usual monthly meeting of the Ashburton County Council was held on Friday ; present—Messrs W. C. Walker, M.H.E. (Chairman), Julian Jackson, G. W, Leadloy, E. S. Coster, E. G. Wright, Donald M'Lean, and C. J. Harper. chairman's statement. The Chairman made his usual statement, summarising the business to come before the Council. , . ENGINEER'S REPORT. Main roads : The works in Ashburton Gorge are proceeding satisfactorily. The gravelling on Woolshed Flat is complete, and the contractor is making steady progress with the improvements at Booth’s cutting. Blackford-Eedcliffe road: The contractor is not making rapid progress with this road extension ; but is doing the work in a fairly satisfactory manner. The same may be said of the improvements now being' executed on the south approach to the Eakaia Gorge bridge.—South road: Some repairs are necessary on that portion of road situated within Tinwald Town District, specially the repair or lifting of culvert near Ashburton bridge.—Flood channel. Upper Hinds: This channel has been completed, and the road surface and fencing, &c., restored.—Ford’s creek : All the improvements authorised have now been satisfactorily completed.—New races: The water-races granted to Messrs Helmore and Campbell, near Mitcham, have been constructed since last meeting of Council, as has also the race for Mr Maidens and others. The race for Eakaia village settlers and others has been formed from Como to Eakaia suburban allotments, and also for the most part through the Acton property, hut the works over the remainder will not be finished for some time, and the loopline through Mr Lyttelton’s E.S, 5821 cannot be undertaken till after harvest. The proposed race for Messrs Murphy, Butterick, Thompson, &c., is not being made in a satisfactory manner, and considerable waste' of water whs taking place; I have checked this, and operations are meantime suspended till arrangements can be made to have the work carried through on a proper footing. Mr G. H. Moore ha’s, I believe, consented to the proposed race through his paddock under certain conditions, which he is to notify to the Council. As authorised by

Council, !• have arranged the beat route tear supply of ■. E.S. 332f37, Coldstream, and. tenders for cthis, along -with extension of R racel'previously sanctioned, will be laid before you to-day. 'Ashburton-Eangitata-_Water Supply: The'supply in thisdistrict generally has been pretty well kept upr during the month, the exceptions being the. Winslow-Waterton race and the lower, end of Coldstream races, which have been intermitting. The Eanger reports waste of water to the extent of nearly one-filth in some of the distributing races, and I have instructed the contractor to check this without delay. I also beg to annex the contractors' report as to case of tampering, which will fall to be dealt with by the Council. I have also to report that the Winslow-Waterton race is in a very filthy state, owing to pollution by pigs, of which." there must; be nearly 1000 along-the route, and they should be fenced out by some means. On account of the river getting sa low during the recent very dry weather, "■ the inlet at South Ashburton river has had repeatedly to be deepened and extended;! and the mains, which have lately been cleared out, are now running full.—Plains Water-supply: The mains have been welt cleared out, and fully charged, and all the distributing races are fairly supplied, with." the exception of those in Seafield district,* the main A from which they are fed, though quite full, being barely sufficient in this excessively hot weather to yield a. supply which will reach further down than. Newlands. The consequence is that the district art the lower end, for a length bF five or six miles, is badly off, and this; notwithstanding the main contains nearly & half more than ordinary. To remedy thia I would suggest one of three courses: First, enlarging the A main for a distance of five miles j second, making a short connection between C2 and B races, near Dundas; third, opening up a new auxiliary channel 'from Wakanui creek, to extend as far as C2 race.- As best adapted to suit immediate requirements, and at small cost, I should recommend': the second scheme, though' it would also be well to* keep the other two in view in case of further supplementary supplies being required. I append, the ranger's report as to several cases of tampering, which, in present circumstances, should be dealt with" most summarily.—Hinds Bridge, Surveyor's road: The authorised additions'to I this bridge have been completed very satisf factorily.—Ashburton Traffic Bridge: MrThomas, the contractor, since the arrival of the Saxon, has been making satisfactory progress with the work. In addition to the completion of the pile-driving, stringers are now laid on 89. spans, decking on 79 spans of main bridge, and on 64 of fpotr bridge, hand rails over 64 spans. Hall off the painting is done, and more than half of the tarring. The contractor now awaits the arrival of the remainder of the timber' to complete the structure. The contractors for the south approach are getting on well with the earthwork, three-fourtha of the specified quantity having already beeja. put in. The question of fencing will shortly have to be taken up, and the question of" willow-planting at both ends of the bridge when the proper season comes round. OBEAT SOUTH ROAD. On the motion of Mr Wright, it was decided to Tefer to a Committee the clause in the Engineer's report referring to the Great South road running through tk* Tinwald Town Distriet, with power to act j. the Committee to comprise the Chairman, and Messrs Wright, Harper, and M'Lean. WATER-BACES. The Engineer was instructed to see that the race from Como to the Eakaia village. settlement was efficient. lEr Leadley called attention to the general condition of Butterick and Thompson's race, with which there had been some tampering, and several owners had not . constructed their portions of it according to the Council's conditions. The Engineer was instructed to see to the matter, and tp take proceedings against those, parties itho were responsible for the diversion." The whole'construction of the race was, referred to the'Engineer " " ' In the caseof F2 race, it was decided to hold back the water from the new race, until that race.had been constructed to the Engineer's satisfaction throughout its length. It was resolved to take proceedings against a number of parties for tampering with" the races; and further, to publish, for general information and warning, copies of the penal clauses of the by-laws.' It was decided to put in hand at once alternative race No. 2, connecting C2 and B races, near Dundas. ~ The Engineer was authorised to invite tenders for enlarging a race, for five miles, in the Seafield district, the Chairman being empowered to accept a tender, the tenders to be in within ten days. MOUNT HUTT AND ANAMAEOAD BOABDS. The award of the Committee in adjudication between the Mount Somers and Anama Eoad Boards was adopted. taylor's ceeek. - The Engineer was instructed to report by nest meeting on the state of affairs re Taylor's Creek, - WAKANUt MILL-SACE. Mr Protheroe wrote, renewing his application for a supply of water for 1 Wakanui Mill, from the Wakahui Creek. A Committee, consisting of Messra Wright, Leadley, Harper, and the Chairman, was appointed to consider the question, and report at next meeting. PAYMENTS. Several accounts were passed for payment. PLANTATIONS. On the question of Government's desire to bring the Plantation Board's existence to a termination, and hand over their duties to Counties, it was decided to accept those duties, on the understanding that the plantation reserves within the County be vested in the Council. MISCELLANEOUS. After a considerable amount of miscellaneous business had been transacted, the Council adjourned.