COOK COUNTY COUNCIL.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 274, 28 November 1901, Page 3

COOK COUNTY COUNCIL.

Tiik annual meeting of the Cook County Council was held yesterday. Present : Crs Macfarlano, Jex-Blako, Hutchinson, Graham, King, Cooper, and Mosstnan.

Mr Warren, County Clerk, presided.

Cr Graham proposed Cr Macfarlano as Chairman. Seconded by Cr Jex-Blako and carried.

Cr Macfarlano, in again taking the chair,

thanked the members. He would rather somebody else had taken it, as the duties required a great deal of time. Still, ho was willing to go on for another year. Tho engineer and clerk were re-ap-pointed at the same salary, and tho assistant clerk’s salary was increased to 20s per week. The ranger was re-appointed, and instructed to impound off any of the county roads; also to occasionally visit the Murewai.

With regard to Henderson’s contract for metalling at Waimata, the Chairman said tho workmen had been paid. Tenders received were too high, and fresh tenders would be called next month.

Tho engineer was instructed to inspoefc land at Waimoko, which a native claimed had been taken from him for the purpose of the bridge. Mr C. Neenan, Ormond, wrote, stating

that at the request of tho carriers and settlors, he had erected at his own expense (IM7) a windmill and water] trough in front of the Ormond Hotel ; it would be a convenience to tho general public, and should tho Council assist in the cost, a guarantee would be given that'the windmill would remain and bo kept in good order during the pleasure of the Council. After some discussion, Cr King proposed that Mr Neenan bo given £3 for the first year, fresh arrangements, if necessary, being made next year. Cr Cooper seconded. Carried.

Eg-.! l; mU_ wrote that nothing ye: L,.-on done t■ j tsie Aireail;. . attorul, 1 :o. j Mi- H. Kin" Spencer wrote that he h;vl let a contract to widen the inland \\ atapti track, to be paid out of the thirds accruing from section 1. bluck 11., lokomaru, and section 2. bloci; 1, t.Vwa. I'.;! >rtu-natc-iv. the L'-iO 15s would Hot widen it into a drav road as fir a- the homestead. Mr Hardin", occupier of a Government block, was willing that any thirds accruing from his selection should be spent in widening the trad;, and he and the writer would be glad if the Council would make up the balance of the X'b2 Is required to complete the 172 chains. The contractor was willing to do the 172 chains at os a chain.—The Overseer stated the settlers were unable to get their wool out. It it was possible to continue the work it should be done.— It was resolved to reply that the Engineer would be authorised to expend up to XiO on the road. Mr Barron. Department of Lands and Survey, wrote stating that with regard to

the request that 50 acres of land situated near Abimana, on the Gisborne-W airoa road, should be placed under the Council's control as a stock paddock, the Stock Commissioner thought that a stock paddock at that place was unnecessary, as stock drivers could arrange with settlers to graze their stock, the country along the road being generally in grass. —Cr King remarked that the letter was tinal. but he would like the writer to try and graze cattle along the road. Mr Shaw, Clerk Wairoa County Council, wrote stating that the settlers residing in the liuakituri Valley had represented to the Wairoa Council that the portion of road between the liuakituri crossing and the Kaiterahai bridge (county boundary) was in a very bad state. If the Cook County Council were to allow a

small grant for the purpose, the Wairoa Council would take over the mainlc-nu ec of this picric of road. One of the n topayers interested was in the Cook County, and it was desired to obtain the Council’s views on the subject. The Engineer stated there was about a mile of the road in question. Cr King suggested that the Wairoa Council should be given the revenue allowed. On the motion of the Chairman, it was decided to give the rates received from run 52 in consideration of their attending to the piece of road. Mr TrafTord, Wharerata, wrote asking that his thirds be spent in the rocky cut-

ting opposite bis place, as it was dangerous for waggons to pass. Agreed to. From the Department of Roads, enclosing copies of a Gazette proclamation taking land for a road through Maraetaha block, block xiii., Turaugauui survey district. Received. From Mr I'. T. Fenway, stating that as there was reported in the papers to be XdOO granted by the Government this year for the Wamiata-Arikihi-Tauwharo-parac road, he would ask that the Council might consider whether this sum should not bo expended from Boland’s towards Arikihi-Waimata, instead of the other end. He was paying heavy rates, and yet had to rate himself very heavily besides to get his wool out to the road mentioned, which was as yet unmade. Ho thought there were no other settlers

directly interested who paid appreciable county rates. —-The Chairman said they did not know of such a grant. —Cr King remarked that a grant was made last year, but the Council did not get the money to spend. It was decided to reply that the Council was not aware that there was any grant. Mr T. V. Coleman, auditor, forwarded statements of the Council’s accounts for the half-year ended September dOth, duly audited and certified. The defaulters’ list showed arrears at September bO last amounting to .£172 bs sd. Of this X 27 19s lid had since been paid. It was recommended that the balance be sued for. Special rates amounting to X 25 10s were in arrear. Native rates outstanding at September bO amounted to Xfiil 12s, of which Xl4 10s had since been paid. During the year .£-1 17s bd was paid on account of these rates, and it was suggested that special measures bo taken lor collecting the amount now outstanding. The Chairman thought the outstanding rates, amounting to XbOOO, should bo collected as soon as possible. Most of the largo ratepayers had paid. A notice had boon inserted at last meeting that all outstanding rates would be sued for. The Clerk stated bo had sent notices to ratepayers owing X2OOO of the rates. With regard to the nativo rates, the Chairman suggested appointing a collector. The Clerk said the natives did not appear to understand the idea of ono man being made liable for tho rates on a block. Crs King and Mossman supported the Chairman’s proposal to get a special collector, and it was resolved that offers for the collection of nativo rates be in by' next meeting, and that the Clerk go on suing for the general rates.

Mr D. G. Fraser, County engineer, reported : —Contract 1, formation and metalling road to quarry: Formation completed and portion of metalling done. Contract 7, collecting beach shingle : The full quantity lias been stacked, and 805 yards spread on the Puatae Hill. I have discontinued metalling, as it will be bettor left until the autumn. Contract 10, metalling Wairoa-Gisborno road : lieformation and quarrying being proceeded with. Contract 16, formation and metalling Murcwai road: Completed. There arc still some 00 or 40 yards of broken stone at the quarry, beside the quantity to be taken over by the Council. I should recommend this also being taken over at the price of os per yard. Contract 20, formation Hangaroa-Tiniroto road : Some 12 chains are nearly completed. Contract 21, Waipaoa bridge repairs : Satisfactorily completed. Contract 23, carting to depots : Proceeding satisfactorily. Breastwork and sheet piling has been essential at Richardson’s Hill. Some further filling in is required, and the cutting of a drain on the hill-side to be done when the ground is dry. Most of the roads have been cleared of slips and ruts filled in. At Makarori and Talapouri Hills the road has been widened in several places, and tables cleaned out. I have completed surveys and prepared plans for roads to be taken through Mangatuna and Mangaheia blocks. Repairs have been effected to several small bridges, and as occasion offers I am continuing this work on all defective bridges. The road machine has arrived, and been put together, and started work on Inland Waiapu road. I should bo glad of the Council’s instructions re work to be undertaken, and also appointing a man to work the machine. Temporary arrangements have been made by me pending the meeting of the Council.

It was decided that the metal mentioned be taken over at 5s a yard, as recommended. With regard to the road at Tapuawae rocks, Cr Cooper considered the Engineer's recommendation should be carried out. — The Chairman said that, os the work would be over £'3oo, it would bo necessary for Cr Cooper to give notice of motion.—Cr Cooper said he would do so. In regard to the taking of land for roads, it was decided to write to the Waiapu County Council drawing attention to their liability in the matter. Cr Graham said the road machine was working well, but it was necessary to have a who knew how to work it.

Cr King said they wanted a competent man to take charge of the machine, and a suitable team was necessary, The Engineer was authorised to call for offers of a team of eight horses, with a hill-side plough, for three months. Tenders for dog-collars were received from : —Primrose and Leslie, £57 10s; M . Morgan, .£55 (accepted). For the collection of fees at Tolago Bay ferry, two tenders were received, but were o*. Adieu as luionual, and fresh tenders were ordered to be called. A special meeting to confirm the special orders authorising the raising of the Mangatu and Huanui loans was held.