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Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 121, 1 June 1901, Page 4

Continued from third page, week or two would naturally take that line, A short piece of road near the second crossing at Karaka (10J chains) requires to be formed and metalled. The cost would notexceed about 35s per chain, and if: wet weather comes on this particular portion of the road is the worst, between Gisborne; and Whaiatutu.. I would ask permission to have the country bridges numbered and ; dimensions taken. By this means carters can leave timber for repairs without the chance of mistake ; also it enables nie when on my rounds to note and locate requ'romentr. Works have been laid oil at Murewar and Waipaoa, tenders for which close to-day. A survey has been made of the continuation of the Poututu track through Poututu Nos. 1 and ’2, Rnd to connect with the main • line of road. On the Hangaroa-Tiniroto track work has been laid oft' under the Govern ment grant, and plans and specifications will shortly be forwarded to Napier for approval. On this road I may state that considerable slips have taken place, and £SO to £6O will be/ required to open for dray traffic, also three culverts and two small bridges. This would complete the road as far as O’Leary’s contract. In the meantime, however, there is nothing to be gained by clearing any more oi the slips than would let horse traffic through to the end of the proposed new work. My-opinion of the line of road is that it will cost several thousands to complete, and will be for certain lengths a constant source of trouble and expense. About 20 chains immediately below the present proposed work is a steep papa cliff siding of the . ,same_ nature as that at Karaka, with the , .further 'disadvantage." that no ground can be made up'"sn "tlfe''duf?ide"oh'aedbunf of'the river being at the base of the cliff.

In regard to the shingle, tbo Engineersaid that not much more was obtainable, and ho thought a price for spreading .might- be asked from the contractor before he shifted his drays. The Chairman moved, that the 400 yards be placed on the hill, the amount to be taken from £2OO for metalling that was still reserved, owing to other contracts not being taken up. The motion Was agreed to, tbo Engineer to write and explain matters to Mr Gold-Smith.

In regard to the Wainui road, the Engineer in reply to the Chairman,, said that the grant had already been exceeded by about £25, and it was considered that nothing further could be done at present. The recommendations as to metalling were allow-ed to stand over. —“ No funds.” The suggestions as to bridges was approved ,pf, and it was decided that the timber at the Ixaiteratalii bridge should be stacked.

In regard to the new Hangaroa-Tiniroto road, Cr Jex-Blako said they should call the attention of the- Government to the way the grants were being spent; it was wasting it to do the work witli small grants, as there wore constant slips. Cr King said that: the road ought never to have been made ; it was not on the sunnyside, and would bo a great expense to tbo Government, and ruinoust the Council when they- had to take it over. In reply to the Chairman, the Engineer said he did not think the advantages of the road wore sufficient to make up for the cost of making. ‘The, slips could be removed for about £6O, but that would only bring them to the first state. Cr Jex-Blako said that he understood the settlers interested were Messrs St. Leger, GuthricSmitb, and Richardson.. Tho Clerk said there was £3OO Government grant yet to be spent on the road. Tho Chairman suggested that the Engineer in charge of the new Department should be informed of the latter part of tbo report, and stating that the Council was anxious to spend the grant, but did not think it would bo sufficient to be in any way effective. Cr Mossman thought they should do something to prevent tbo grant lapsing; it was a concern of all the Tiniroto people, in fact of all Wairoa traffic, to get a saving of some miles in tho distance. The Engineer said the grant would allow for a bridle track. Cr Jex-Blako said that lie was not acting in any way counter to the Tiniroto people, but it was clear

that the Council could not maintain three roads to Tiniroto, and they should decide which one was to be adopted.—Cr King seconded the; motion, and said they had

had so much trouble about fliis road that they should leave it to. Government to see .what could bo done. Tho road would be no use to Tiniroto unless it was bridged. —Cr Mossman, in reply to Cr King, said that the road would bo beneficial to all Tiniroto settlers as well as Wairoa people. If the Council sent down a report that tbo

road was so bad it would bo throwing cold water on the subject of an'important road. Even a horse track would give them a better chance to get a telephone line, Tiniroto being so isolated.—Cr King said it did not need a bullock dray road to enable them to put up a telephone line ; lie was quite as much interested in Tiniroto as Cr Mossman.—Cr Jex-Blako said they would not get permission to convert the road into a bridle track.—Tho motion was carried.

As to Messrs Law and Co.’s application for a slaughterhouse, Mr Caesar attended and repudiated statements made. The Chairman said that it would be for the firm to mako representations to tho Government when the application was sent down

As to the drain being cut through to Pouparae by the Government, Cr King said that as soon as the water came down in fresh as he had seen it the culvert and road would be washed awayq and the lowlying land affected. He moved that the Department be asked to, provide a bridge across the main road to carry off the water being taken there, and also that the creek below be opened, Mr Caesar, Chairman of the Ormond Domain Board, waited on tho Council as a delegate from the Board, and offered to subsidise the Council to the extent of £1 for £1 to enable a portion of the road to be formed, and Domain to be drained. It would cost the Council about £2O. It was necessary to drain the property ,by tho road, and the road would be formed. Cr King, speaking as a member of the Board, said they wanted the Council to doepon the Council’s drain, and 'clear the outlot drain, for which tho Board would pay half.’ “No money,” said the Chairman. “In that case,” added Mr Caesar, “wo will have to lot it stand till the spring. I can sympathise with you.” The question of the Council’s office tenancy was discussed in the passing of accounts, and it was resolved to ask the Library Trustees to arrange a new leaso to the Council, and to consider the matter of the strong-room. Cr King’s motion, of which notice had been given, in regard to a wheel tax, was brought on. Cr King said that all he desired was that Cook County should bo put on the same level as other Counties. He would like an Act like that iu Westland, to use it or not as they liked.

The Chairman said it would cost £4 or £5.

Cr King: Never mind, we have;spent more and done nothing. It would bo for the new Councillors to decide whether or not they- brought it into force. Cr Graliam_seconded the motion, saying that tho new Council would have to deal with it. Cr Hutchinson said that be would like to learn how it had worked in other districts. ■ 4 The Chairman said that they would have heard complaints if there had been any cause for them. The Chairman said that if they wanted a local Bill they must not lose time. The motion was carried, Cr King saying that he wanted the matter pushed on.

Cr Jex-Blake desired information as to whether or not Mr Lysnar’s statement as to the wide tires being cast aside had general application. The Chairman said that the delegates could find that out when they went to Wellington. They could leave the question of tires stand until tho whole matter was gone into again.

As to the loan proposals it was resolved, to leave the matter stand for a month, the Chairman saying that ho believed the Government were going to :pass the Local Government Bill, in which case the Council would not need to carry their Bill through. Suggestions by the Southland County- Council as to the amendments in the Local Government Bill were approved of. * - ■

On the suggestion of Cr Mossman, it was resolved to put direction posts at the Wacrenga-a-hika crossing, one at each side.

Three applications were received for metalling Murcwai road up to £220, according to scale fixed by the Council. A ballot was taken, and Mr Macdcrmott was drawn. A tender was received from Mr E. Devcry for works on Waipaca road, Tho tender was accopted to the extent of £9B.