COUNTY COUNCILS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15920, 4 May 1912, Page 17

COUNTY COUNCILS.

ASHBURTON. Tho monthly meeting of the Ashburton County Council was held yesterday; present—Messrs C. J. Harper (chairman), W. J. Dickie, M.P., J. Cairns, W. T. Lill. G. Murdoch, W. Morgan and J. Studholme. Tho chairman reported that tho accounts for the year ending March 31 had been audited and forwarded to tho Auditor-Gene-ral. Tho county overseer reported that tho Ashburton llangitata water supply had boen well maintained during tho month. Protection work 3 had been erected in the south branch of tho Hinds River, preparatory to shortening the flume, which would soon require renewing. The supplies of water from tho Pudding Hill dam had been maintained, and the water was reaching tho extreme end of the terminal races. In the lower districts, tho main races from the Rakaia River wore in fair order, but tho distributing races needed overhauling. Up till the last few days the supply through O'Shea's Creek had been kept open, so as to provide water for the Winchmore main and the Mill Creek. An inspection had recently been made of tho decking of the south end of the Ashburton 'traffic bridge. The planks had been lifted, and were found to be verv much worn. This condition extended over about 150 feet of tho decking. At the suggestion of Mr Studholme,"it was decided to convene another conference with tho Borough Council to further consider the question of shortening the bridge. Mr Lilt complained of tho impassable condition of the Lagmhor Creek at a point at which it crosses the road near Mr Pringle's property at Tinwald, and suggested that a sheep bridge should bo'oreeted. It was decided to ask the Tinwald Town Board to furnish a report and to state what amount the Board would be prepared to pay. The Council decided not to purchase a cottage at Chertsey for tho water ranger in that district. It was also decided to ask the Railway Department to vest in tho Coldstream Road Board a strip of land fronting the Main South Road between tho Hinds township, and the Rangitata River. Mr Christie, the traffic inspector, applied to the Council for petrol for his motor-car, which was now costing him on an average of £2 per month. It was decided to A"crease the inspector's salary by £1.7 10s per annum. A discussion took place on the alleged cutting-up of a road by a traction engine in tho South Rakaia Road Board district, but nothing was done in the matter. Mr Studholmo was appointed to represent the Council at a meeting convened by the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, for the purpose of appointing a dclegato to attend the conference in Wellington to consider the Local Government Bill. Mr J. Cairns was appointed to represent tho Ashburton Forks River Board. It was decided that a special meeting of the Council should be held to discuss the question of erecting a number of bridges in various parts of the county, and also.the question of obtaining an additional supply of water from the Rangitata River. Accounts amounting to i'oo/ were passed for payment.

SPRINGS

The Springs County Council met on Thursday; present—Messrs Andrew (chairman), Ryan, Lochhead. Wolfe and Fleete. Regarding Mr I<. C. Murray's request that the drain on Springs Road should bo cleaned, tho Council decided that it could not do anything in the matter. Mr A. Riches (Greenpark) wrote, giving notice that if the drain running through Mr W. B. Andrew's land was not cleaned within fourteen days, legal proceedings would be taken against tho Council. It was stated that the drain was a boundary between two properties, and the Council decided that it was a matter for arrangement between thoso interested. Mr J. Doherty wrote, drawing the Council's attention to tho water channels and footpaths in Lincoln township, 'ft was decided to clean tno channels and improve the footpaths as soon as possible. Messrs Paterson and Newton, civil engineers, wrote recommending' contractors for taking out the shinglo bars in the 1,1 River. As there was .so much water in the river, it was decided to make inquiries as to whether the Ellesmero Drainage Board's dredge was available for the work. It was decided to apply for a Government grant of £SOO towards tho cost of taking out tho shingle and clay bars in the LI River, and a further grant for roading tho lake lands. It was also decided to write to tho Minister of Public Works and the member for tho district with a view to acquiring tho waste lands at the clay bar. It was decided to take legal proceedings against a ratepayer who had failed to cut a fence which overhung a public road. Tho chairman of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board wrote,_ convening a meeting of representatives of local bodies, for the purpose of selecting delegates to attend a conference in Wellington to consider the proposed Local Government Bill. The chairman was appointed to represent the _ Council. The Minister of Internal Affairs wrote, forwarding a voucher in pa.yment of the £IOO subsidv on the Lincoln Coronation Library. The clerk reported that the accounts had been audited, hut the balance-sheets had not yet been received from Wellington. Tt was also imported that, owing to the recent heavy rains, work on the gravelling contract was at a standstill, and that very little progress had been made in cleaning tho district drains. Tt was decided to inspect the outlet of Powell's Drain with a view to making better provision for storm water. Accounts amounting to £269 14s 5d were passed for payment. '