COUNTY COUNCILS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXX, Issue 8552, 4 August 1888, Page 6

COUNTY COUNCILS.

ASHBURTON. The monthly meeting of the Ashburton County Council was held yesterday; present—Messrs E. G. Wright (in the chair), J. .Grigg, H. Friedlander, C. J. Harper, J. Brown, S. Jackson, E. S. Coster. chairman’s statement. The Commissioner of Crown Lands has written, in reply to the Council’s application, intimating that the Council should bring before the Government its claim for a share of the proceeds of Crown lands, towards payment of water races constructed through them. Hhe matter had been referred to Mr Walker in Wellington, and is having his attention. The Mount Butt Road Board wrote, that a meeting of ratepayers of that district approved of the Council’s resolution in favour of the division of the County and abolition of Road Boards. The Chairmen of the Wakanui and Longbeach Road Boards also forwarded resolutions on the subject. The Hamstead Town Board had been unable to agree with the Ashburton Borough Council for a water supply, and wished the Council to take the matter up. The amount of £359813s 7d bad been placed on account of general rates, and £304 10s lOd for water charges; the Bank overdraft was £1675 19s sd. engineer’s report. The Engineer reported that the damage done to the water-races by the severe flood of last week was inconsiderable. The water-race system generally was getting into fair order. > The Wakanui creek had been shut off for a few days, but was now re-opened. The Plantation reserve at Cbcrtaey, one hundred and thirty acres, would be sown with wattle seed next week. About forty-two acres of the irrigation farm had been ploughed, and sowing with barley commenced. wakanui creek. Mr Wright reported that he had met the representatives of the Borough Council and the mill proprietors, and a proposition had been agreed to, asking the Borough Council and mill proprietors to each contribute £lO towards the clearing of the creek, the County Council to contribute the balance required over and above the contributions of the residents. Also, that the mill proprietors and the Borough Engineer be requested to jointly regulate the quantity of water taken into the creek, so that it should not exceed that required by the mill turbines. The report was adopted. Mr Friedlander moved, Mr Coster seconded, and it was carried—" That the settlers pay one-third of the total cost of cleaning Wakanui Creek, and the Council the balance, inclusive of the contribution of £2O, to be paid by the Borough and mill proprietor." maintenance of bridges. Mr Brown moved—" That the maintenance of all bridges exceeding 30ft span that have been constructed by the Council, or by any Road Board in the County, be charged to the general account." The motion was not seconded, and lapsed. DANGEROUS FORD. Mr Harper called attention to the dangerous state of a ford, which the Tinwald Town Board had substituted for a culvert. The Engineer was instructed to examine the ford, and, if necessary, call the attention of the Tinwald Town Board to it. ford’s creek. Mr Harper stated that several ratepayers complained that in the present state of this creek it was unable to carry away the flood water. Consideration deferred. POSTPONED. Mr Harper was granted leave to postpone his notice of motion re cleaning waterraces by contract. OFFICE HOURS. Mr Friedlander moved—" That the office hours be altered to ten to three on Saturdays and ten to one on Wednesdays." Agreed to. WATER SUPPLY, The application of the Hamstead Town Board for a water supply was referred to the Engineer to report. A request from settlers at the Ashburton village settlement fora water race through their sections, stating that they were willing to construct the race themselves, was referred to the Water Supply Committee. BANKING ACCOUNTS. In answer to Mr Grigg, it appeared that each of the Council’s banking accounts was independent, and interest was charged on overdrafts without being allowed on accounts in credit. It was left to the Chairman and Mr Grigg to rectify this with power to act. FLOOD WATER. Mr Protheroe, Waterfcon Mill, waited on the Council, and represented that the drainage near his premises was insufficient to carry off the flood water, which last week accumulated axle deep on the road. He was willing to pay part of the expense. It was agreed to consider the matter at the next meeting. On the motio„n of Mr Brown, seconded by Mr Coster, it was decided to proceed with the erection of turf side walls to certain of the water-races, as recommended by the Engineer. After some discussion on the question of storm-water in the Methven district, it was resolved to request Mr Holmes, as Chairman of the Committee appointed to deal with the matter, to call a meeting of ratepayers at Methven. NOTICES OF MOTION. Mr Coster to move at next meeting—- " That a vote of the ratepayers be taken as to a loan for the purpose of supplementing the water race system, by taking a supply of water from the Rakaia." Mr Brown to move at next meeting—- " That the Chairman, under the advice of the Council’s solicitor, bo authorised to have the River road race continued through Mr S. Brown’s property, so as to connect the severance caused by flood." Mr Wright gave notice of motion for next meeting—" That the Council invite tenders for the construction of the flood chaMHeLSjomJSo. ?* creek to the Ashburton

river, along the line of road known as the old Timaru track.” TENDERS. The following tenders Were accepted:— Ploughing Eeserves, J. Johnston, 4s lOd per acre; Eangitata Traffic Bridge decking, Baines and Smith (supplv of heart of black birch timber), JE696 19s Bd. SPECIAL MEETING. A special order for a rate on the Ashburton Forks Eiver District was confined.