COUNTY COUNCIL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6120, 5 March 1898, Page 7

COUNTY COUNCIL.

— ■» ASHBURTON. „ The ordinary monthly meeting was held on Friday ; present — Messrs E. G. Wright (chairman), C. J. Harper, S. S. Chapman, M. Stitt, J. Johnson and D. Williamson. The Engineer submitted the following report on proposed irrigation schemes : — " First, Rangitata — I have indicated on map the boundary which will be necessary if the 1600 acre3 of Lowcliffe Estate, which the trustees are agreeable should be included, are to be added. Second, KyleSeaiield district— 72,ooo acres.— ln order to fix the upper boundary and enable the Council tc make special order, I have taken levels over fourteen miles of the route, which is now shown on the accompanying map, and the pegs on the ground will show the different owners tho approximate location of proposed main. You will observe that this division includes all the Dorie district. Whether the settlers there may wish part of it to be excluded remains to be seen. Ifc appears they are to have a meeting on the subject on March 4. Third, Dromore - Chertsey district — 76,000 acres. — The cost of this scheme, if the water be taken from the Rakaia River at Lavington, I estimate afc .£48,000. If supplied from Lake Heron and taken in at Winchmore, I estimate at .£27,000, the former involving a rate of one shilling and threepence per acre, and the latter ninepence per acre. The former could probably be mado to yield the bettor supply, but the risks and expense at the intake will be heavy. 1 must herq state that at each of the meetings held at Seafield, Chertsey and Dromore, while mentioning the feasibility and probable cost of the various proposals, I distinctly stated the allocation of Lake Heron supply would have to be left an open question, as the Council when considering the claims of other portions of the county might decide to allocate it in whole or in part to other districts. A special order for that district cannot be made until levels are taken and boundaries nioro accurately defined." Messrs Studholm and Dobson wrote, requesting a slight alteration in the proposed boundaries of the Hinds-Cracroft district. The Council resolved to adhere to the original plan. The constitution of the Kyle-Seafield district was postponed till next meeting. A petition from ratepayers in the Winchmore district was read against supplying Chertsey from Lake Heron, aa that was the only source from which Winchmore could be served. After discussion. Mr Stitt, who said that Chertsey could be supplied from Lavington, gave notice of motion for next meeting as follows: — "That as the wator from Lake Heron will be required to supplement the water in the Ashburton 1 River for irrigation of lands included in irrigation blocks higher up the plains, the Council cannot entertain the idea of allowing the Chertsey ratepayer's "to draw their supply from that source/' ; After some business had been transacted in committee the meeting terminated.