INCOMING CORRESPONDENCE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 685, 26 April 1879, Page 2

INCOMING CORRESPONDENCE.

From A. McKenzie, asking permission to erect a swing gate on the Gisborne-Wairoa Road. The Councillors saw no objection, provided the conditions stipulated were complied with, viz., that the gate should be properly hung, with " Public Thoroughfare " painted on it, and kept m order. Mr. J. W. Johnson also applied for a like object, and permission was granted on similar terms as the above. From R. D. Maney, Chairman Wairoa County, asking the co-operation of the Cook County m the construction of a coach road from Gisborne to Wairoa, and suggesting that each Council subscribe £500, when they could, by petition of united bodies during the forthcoming session of Parliament, obtain at least £2000 for the purpose and thus open up the large tract of intermediate country. All the Councillors agreed that the work was an important one, and that the large interest the Colony had m making these lands at once available and valuable, necessitated an appeal to the Government for assistance, and that the two Councils by all means co-operate m the matter. From H. Kenrick, auditor, making several suggestions as to the accounts which had subsequently been complied with. The Chairman said that he would recommend the Council to appoint a Finance Committee, so that m future all questions as to the accounts may be fully discussed before submitted to the Council. It would faclitate business, and they could entertain and adopt any suggestions. He would at the proper time propose a Committee. From A. Gray, complaining that the road laid out by Mr. Simpson intersected his property m such a manner as to make him a sufferer to the extent of £1,000, which amount would have to be expended m fencing and ather works. The road, he was of opinion, was not at all necessary, and he did not see why he should suffer to benefit the public. Councillor M'Kay said that the road laid out cut Mr. Gray's property into four divisions, and that he was of opinion that the line should be altered. Councillor Villers thought that the complaint was absurd, and that the road should be taken wherever it was required to do so. Councillor Locke said that he would be sorry to see any person suffer privately for a public benefit. He would propose that the Engineer be asked to furnish a plan of the property with line of road marked off, and to inspect and report on its necessity or otherwise. Seconded by Councillor McKay, and carried. From Robert Thelwall and George Davis, making application for appointment as Sheep Inspector and Registrar of Brands. REPORTS. Councillor Locke, on behalf of the Railway Committee, reported that after some discussion, the consideration of the subject had been further adjourned, as there were not sufficient funds to carry on the undertaking, and that they were not m possession of the necessary information from the Solicitor-General, and Mr. Blaokett, the Government Engineer. Councillor Villers wanted to know whether the Borough or County took the lead m the matter. (The Chairman : The County.) That was right ; the County should take the initiative. engineer's report. Sir, — I have the honor to report, re Mr W. Cooper's claim for £85, for work done on the Mangata Road, that cuttings and road formation to that amount has been executed. No road having been surveyed to Mangata the work was done along the track mostly used by travellers, the grades m all instances are steep, and lam of opinion that very few, if any, of the present cuttings will be utilized m the line which Mr Simpson is at the present engaged m surveying. But as this work, for which compensation is asked, was undertaken by private enterprise before the present legislative bodies were m full working order, and has been the means of keeping the dray traffic open for the paat two or three years to various settlers and ratepayers m that district, I would recommend the favorable consideration of the claim. Mr Simpson, the Government road surveyor, is at present engaged surveying a line of road from the junction of the Ormond-Opotiki road, near Mr Scott's, via Rangatira to Mangata, also a branch line to the proposed site of the Waikohu Bridge. 1 would recommend that the Council adopt that line via Waikohu as the county road, as soon as the survey is completed. I have had the metal or stone on Mr Bruce's property fairly tested, and find that it is a very poor quality of sand or free stone (three specimens of which I submit for your inspection), and which I consider is useless for the purposes of road formation. Plans and specifications have been prepared and tenders called for the following works, viz. : Formation of Dray road over Kaitaratahi Hill, Dray road portion of Gisborne and Wairoa road, deepening Te Kohi Creek, constructing Bridge and culvert Ormond-Opotiki road. I would recommend that tenders be called for the purchase of old sleepers and wooden rails at present stacked m heaps along the Quarry tram road. It is essential that these obstructions to traffic be removed with as little delay as possible. I would recommend that application be made to Mr Baker, Deputy Inspector of Surveys for authority to make two deviations m the road as surveyed through sections 90 and 91 Patutahi Block, for, if granted, the road can be formed at a saving to the County of from £80 to £100. I would ask the Council to decide what steps lam to take m reference to metalling the main road from Warenga-a-hika Hotel to town boundary, No. 1 section being nearly completed. Should the tenders for works (which will be opened later) be accepted, I would beg to draw the attention of Councillors to the state of our funds before incurring any other large and expensive works.

The contractor for Te Arai Bridge (as far as I am aware of), has not yet taken any steps to commence the work. Mr Barnard, the Field Inspector for this district, informs me that the line of road surveyed by Mr Simpson between here and Tolago Bay is not likely to be proclaimed aa at present laid off, owing to his having reported unfavorably of the same, and is of opinion that a report from me as County Engineer would greatly facilitate matters, I therefore purpose inspecting the line next week, and furnishing you with a report at the next sitting of the Council. I would ask authority from the Council to obtain a few loads of gravel from time to time as required, to repair road from Makaraka to Town Boundary. The works m hand are being pushed on expeditiously and satisfactorily. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient Servant, Geo. J. Winter, County Engineer. After the reading of the Engineer's Report, the several topics therein were all discussed. The first was W. Cooper's claim for £85. Councillor Villers thought it was the duty of the Council to reimburse him, as it was a useful work. Councillor Graham thought that the Council should entertain the request, and that they might reasonably allow £50, which sum he proposed be granted. Carried. The suggestion relative to the deviation m the Ormond-Opotiki Road via Rangatira to Mangatu, was next entertained, but it was decided to wait until after the Engineer's plan was completed before any recommendation was made by the Council. Respecting the metal from Brace's quarry which the Engineer reported to be useless for road formation. Councillor Villers said it was of the very best description, and that he was sorry to question the correctness of the County Engineer's statement. He maintained that it was very good material, and produced a sample for the inspection of the Council. (It was of soft sandstone, and of a very friable nature. Similar to the description of stone used for • ' tamping " m mines, and might possibly be utilised for pitching the bed of a road, but would require protection of a layer of proper metal to prevent it from pulverising.) Councillor Villers said he was quite .prepared to accept this metal on behalf of ratepayers at Ormond, and he thought that it might with advantage be used on the road sactioned for construction by the Council between the tramway and. Ormond. He would like to know why the work had not been proceeded with. He would propose that at least the lowlying part of the Ormond Road be metalled. Councillor Locke would second Mr. Villers motion if they had the means. A loan was promised out of which it was proposed to construct the whole road. We had not got it, and the work cannot bo proceeded with. The matter then dropped. The inland dray road to Tologa Bay was ordered to be inspected by the Engineer, and reported upon. Councillor Wi Pere promised to give his assistance m discovering a short and practicable dray route to Tologa. Matawhero Gravel. — The Council granted the Engineer authority to obtain a few loads of gravel from time to time for the Makaraka road ; and, after some discussion relative to river bed metal, it was decided that where screening was necessary that it be done. Re Post and Rails. — It was decided to offer them m small lots for sale by auction at an early date. Road to Tologa. — On the motion of Cr. McKay it was resolved to instruct the Engineer to write to Mr Barnard m accordance with recommendation and to inspect the line as proposed. Tenders. — A 18, Gisborne-Wairoa Dray road. C. D. Berry, £1,927 17s 2d ; M. McLeod, £1,254; Boyd, £3,408 16s ; Oxenham, £3,261 3s 4d ; and J. Gilmour, £500 each for sections 3 and 4. The Council decided, after discussing the matter, and the cost it would entail to the County, to call for fresh tenders for a track Bft wide, which might probably be done for two-thirds less than the original work. A. 17, Kaiteratahi Hill (dray road), Peter Laughran, £493 ; W. F. Stevenson, £563 ; J. M. Bidgood, £750 ; J. Price and E. Turner, £827; M. Boland, £540 ; M. McLeod, £444 ; [J. Price. £950 ; Oxenham, £569 ; R. Joyce) £595 10s. The tender of M. McLeod was accepted. A. 13, Deepening Kohe Creek, John Walsh, 15s per chain ; E. Harper, 20s ; Waldron and Bennett, 255; M. Boland, 17s 6d ; Edward Dwyer, 12s, (accepted). Payments. — Accounts m the aggregate for over £600 were passed for payment. Finance Committee. — It was resolved that Councillors Looke, Graham, and Porter be appointed a Finance Committee. It was also resolved on the motion of Councillor Wi Pere that the Engineer and Paora Kuti inspect the deviation on the Wairoa road, and [that the County Clerk be instructed to communicate to Paora Kuti the wishes of the Council. Councillor WiPere proposed — " That lines for future railways within the County be now laid out by the Government." He said he wished to bring the | matter forward now that the lands are unoccupied, and where there would be no difficulty m obtaining the land along the line of route. Councillor Locke was of opinion that the Council Bhould take advantage of this opportunity, and represent the matter to the Government who might be urged to take immediate Btops m the matter. The motion was agreed to. The notice of motion re quorum was brought forward, and, after a lengty discussion, terminated m the carrying of the following motion by Councillor McKay — " That all f progress payments on the certificate of the Engineer be paid by cheque signed by three Councillors Councillor Villers alone voted against the motion. Scab Inspector.— Councillor Locke said that it was an important question to discuss, and there was no question that for the good of the districts, they required a man active and experienced to stamp out the scab which is now bad m Tologa Bay, and is even here. The present Inspector he was sorry to say, was through illness incapacitated from the duties of an office which involved

an extra amount of exertion. We should,*|however, m obtaining a successor endeavor to obtain a pension for him. The Chairman said that it was an important matter that the infection should at once be rooted out. He regretted that Mr. Meldrum was unable to discharge his duties, and m the the interest of the district, he would recommend that the Government appoint an inspector m place of Mr. Meldrum, who was entitled to some consideration at their hands for his past services, and that the Council recommend that a pension be allowed him by the Government. Councillor Graham conourred with the views of previous speaker. There were several applications for the appoiuntment but the Council elected to choose 3 for recommendation to the Government, viz., R. Thelwall, Roskruge, and Robson. Amended Bye Law. — On the motion of Councillor Villers, it was carried that bye-law 4 be amended so as to read " that every such license for Slaughter-house shall be m force from the day of granting some to the 31st December next following. " Meeting of Council.— Councillor Graham suggested that the Council adhere to the usual monthly night of meeting. He thought if this was done that a quorum would be present on every occasion. If it was understood Councillors would attend better than at present. It was resolved to have (after the next meeting, called for Friday the 9th May) the meeting monthly on thefirst Friday m each month. Notice of Motion.— By Councillor Wi Pere, " That this Council meet at 3 o'clock, instead of 7.30, as at present."