COOK COUNTY COUNCIL.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VII, Issue 1171, 13 November 1880, Page 2

COOK COUNTY COUNCIL.

Present : At the ordinary adjourned meeting there were present ; A. Graham, (Chairman), Crs. J. W. Johnson, Wi Pere, G. Scott, W. K. Chambers, T. W. Porter, D. McKay. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed, and an extenclusive correspondence, relating to business transacted thereat, was read. Bridge, Tologa School. — Cr. Reeves wrote objecting to the bridge asked for being erected out of County funds. Councillors were of opinion that the application of Mr. Stewart should be referred to the Educational Department, or to the local Road Board. Slaughter House Fees. — L. Mclntosh, on demand of the County Clerk having paid the full fee, requested the Council for a remission of £2 10s. as he had only been slaughtering for 9 months. The slaughtering Act, 1877, was looked up, and it was deoided that in accordance with the 23rd, section, the remission could not be made, licenses being annual and terminating on the 31st December. Cr. Johnson moved that Mr. Mclntoah be written to and referred to the Act. Cr. McKay moved that the amount . asked for be remitted, as also the excess charged in a simlar way to Mr. Poynter. Cr. Porter seconded the Amendment, the bye-law stating that a license shall be in force for a year from the time of granting the same, and no longer. After furter discussion the remission was allowed to Mr. Mclntosh only, as he had taken out his license under the bye-law, and Mr. Poynter and others under the " Slaughtering Act." The Mahia Road. — The Engineer did not think the traffic on the road warranted the subsidy of £25 a year, which was now being paid to Wi Kaipuke, for keeping the road clear for 12 miles, as far as Paritu. The present contractor did not expend that amount on the work. Cr. Johnson advocated the continuance of the subsidy. Cr. Porter said they should be guided by the opinion of" the Engineer, and besides they should do all they could to improve the middle road. Crs. Scott and Chambers opposed, on the grounds that there were no rate-' payers residing there. Or. Wi Pere supported Cr. Johnson's motion for the subsidy being continued. For : Crs. Johnson, Wi Pere, McKay, and the Chairman ; Against : Crs. Scott, Porter, and Chambers. XjAJPSSD Yoie — The Surveyor-General informed the Council that the 1879-80 vote for £500 for the Gisborne- Wairoa Road had lapsed, the conditions of the <*rant not having been complied with. The Clerk submitted a reply, which had been sent by the Council, protesting against the injustice of the Act in withdrawing the grant, the Council having already expended £180 in the drainage of h portion of the line of road. This County is not an exception, the same proceeding having been practised on the Wairoa County who have made strong representations to the Government. Cr. Porter moved — " That this Council authorize the Engineer to inspect the road, and form an estimate of the work required and that then, a further application be made to the Government." Crs. Scott and Chambers supported. Cr. Porter, also suggested that the application and estimates be forwarded to the District Surveyor in the first instance. Lytton Road Drain. — The Borough Council applied to the Council to clean out this drain, and to contribute onehalf of the cost of lengthening the culvert. The Engineer said he did not see the necessity of the culvert ; and as for the outlet drain, he would not recommend it to be cleared out at present. Cr. Chambers said the culvert, as it stands, was quite useful enough for the present j if the Borough wanted to increase the length for the ornamentation of the town, they should do it at their own expense. Cr. Porter said at last meeting of the Borough Council it was considered by the majority whether they had any right to apply as it was in the Borough. Cr. Sott said as the Borough was flush of money, and the County the other way, they should do it. as it was only beneficial to the Borough. Extension of Time.— J. R. Hurrey | applied for an extension of time, as the work had not progressed favorably on account of the late severe weather. He would like to have it extended as far into the summer as possible, and to expedite the work, he proposed to obtain another engine. Cr. Scott said that there had been a resolution passed refusing to grant extension of time, but under the exceptional circumstances in this case he would be in favor of granting it. Cr. Chambers thought it would be better to consider the matter at the expiry of the contract, the 31st December. He certainly thought that he was entitled to some consideration, if the work in the meantime was pushed on. Cr. Porter quite agreed with Cr. Chambers, that it would be unadvisable to grant the extension at this time. They could consider the matter at the expiry of the term of the contract. The Chairman said he was inclined to view the matter in the same light as Cr. Chambers, and if the Council were satisfied that the contractor was pushing on the work vigorously, they could then decide as to the extension. It was decided that a letter be sent to Mr. Hurrey, informing him that the pitching of the road was required to be finished, and that Mr. Boland be permitted to enter the Quarry to carry out his contract, by the 31st December. Financial. — The half-yearly statement of receipts and expenditure, which had been published was submitted, as also the auditors' report, whioh among other matters drew the attention of the Council to the vote of £30 to the cemetery which had been voted contrary to the "Counties' Act." Waiapu-Wharekahika Road. — Mr. H. A. Black offered to keep this road in repair for 12 months for the sum of £40. — Cr. Porter considered it a very low price, and doubted whether he could carry the work out for the money. — Cr. McKay said as there was no tender received when called for the work in question, there were none sent, and there was a spontaneous offer to do the work at this low figure he thought they should accept it. It was agreed that if

Mr. Black entered into bonds to carry out the work that his offer bo accepted. Drainage from Roads. — Cr. Scott presented a remonstrance from Messrs. Boland, Mnllooly, and others, as to the flooding of their lands from the drainage of the main road. — Councillors were of opinion that they were not responsible. It was resolved that as the water from the main road only flowed in its natural channel that nothing could be done for the petitioners. Engineer's Report. Sir,— l have the honor to submit the following report on works in the district : — The main road contract is being pushed forward in a satisfactory manner. There are about 20 chains completed, and the contractor, Mr. Hurrey, expects to have another engine at work in a few days, by which means he expects to complete half-a-mile per week. The stone is of better quality than that taken from the old quarry. I find that the quantity of fish-plate, bolts, nuts, and dogs received with the railway plant were not at all in proportion to the number of rails. Both Messrs. Hurrey and M. McLeod require about 7 cwfc. each to complete the laying of their lines, and there are about 4 miles of rails to spare without either bolts or dogs to use with them. These are articles I believe that cannot be purchased in the Colony, and the cost of making them here would be considerable. I would recommend that the Government be asked to supply the deficiency, if these rails were not used before coming into the district the deficiency is owing to them having been broken or lost in the taking up of the line, or not having been shipped with the remainder. The late heavy rain retarded the pio-are-ss of gravelling the Bridge Road, also the cutting of the drain of the GisborneWairoa Road. The contractor is at work again at the drains, although there is far too much surface water to make much progress. They are unable to proceed with the gravelling owing to the deposit of silt and it being too soft to , work at present. The cutting on the left bank of the river at Rangatira crossing was washed away, and those at Kaiteratahi damaged. The latter have been repaired, and a new cutting is being made at Rangatira. A few slips came down in the cutting near Mr. Scott's, and I have made arrangements to have them removed. A large jam of timber occurred at Te Arai bridge, causing .slight damage. In order to prevent a recurrence of these jams, I recommi-cl tli»t n floating boom 3C3 feet long bo ujnatiucted and secured so as to carry the whole of the timber through two of the spans. By this means it would be much easier to keep the bridge clear, and prevent the timber accumulating. There were a few logs and some rubbish on the piles of Waipaoa bridge, but it sustained no damage. I would recommend that a custodian be appointed to look after these bridges, with authority to employ any necessary labor, and take such steps as he may deem advisable for the preservation of the bridges during floods. Tenders have been called for forming about 87 chains of the Mungatu road through Scott's bush ; also for regravelling the Bridge road, and for the lease of the Tologa Bay ferry. I have not called ior tenders for gravelling the road from Makaraka to Biggs' corner, owing to the river at Matawhero ford being too deep to cross, and it being impracticable to procure it elsewhere, awing to the cost. I propose calling for tenders by nest meeting for the protection of the Oimond river bank. The contract for formation of road through Ormond is progressing satisfatorily, but I am of opinion that the contractor will not complete the work in the specified time, as he has had considerable difficulty in obtaining labor. The late heavy rains have made several portions of the Ormond-Opotiki Road quite impassable for dray traffic, and as the settlers require to use the road at once, I would recommend that the work be undertaken immediately by day labor, at an estimated cost of £30. I have examined the surveyed line of road between Rangatira and Mangatu, and find that it would cost between £300 to £400 to make cuttings and form the road according, to the grades laid out, but the present cuttings (some portions of which are on the surveyed line), could be greatly improved by the expenditure of £100 upon them, and I would recommend that the work be undertaken. I have, &c. , G. J. Winter, County Engineer. Supplies kor tram. — In connection with the report it was resolved on the motion of Cr. M'Kay, that the Clerk be instructed to apply to the Government for a sufficient supply of the required fish-plates, dogs &c. Custodian. — The Chairman said that Mr. C. Evans had signified his intention of taking charge of the Arai Bridge in time of floods. He did not expect payment, but would require authority to put on labor on an emergency such as at the late flood. Mr, Evans was authorised to act as custodian. River Boom. — The Engineer was instructed to estimate the costs and make the necessary inqurie3 for fixing a boom at the proposed site. Shingling. — Makaraka to Biggs'a corner. It was resolved to call for tenders for screened and unscreened metal — the tenderer to state where he proposes obtaining it from. Obmond-Opotiki Road. — The Engineer was instructed to proceed, with this work by day labor, under his personal supervision, the work to be completed within ten days. Council Offices.— Cr. Scott moved that the question of providing offices for the Council be discussed at next meeting. Waikohu Road Boahd. — Cr. Scott applied on behalf of this Board for the sum of £12 10s. value of timber whioh formed a portion of the old bridge and which was disposed of to contractors for the above sum, which money was paid into the County fund. After discussion it was agreed to pay the sum asked for by the Board. Sheep Dips. — Cr. Johnson thought it very necessary to have a sheep dip and quarantine ground. He proposed that a letter be written to the Government pointing ont the heavy fines received and the xirgent necessity for dips. Cr. Scott said it was a thing which should be seen to, and cordially aupp.orte.l Or.

Johnson in asking for a sufficiently large dip — agreed to. Slaughter House Inspector's Report. — The Inspector pointed out that it was impossible to find out the brands of cattle disposed of by auction, and requested the Council to instruct auctioneers to give all brands of cattle sold by them. Crs. thought it was aimply the purchaser's business to obtain the brands of cattle bought at auctions. Dog Registration. — Cr. Johnson proposed that the necessary collars and tickets be obtained, and that tenders be invited for persons willing to undertake in each district the duty of enforcing the Act. It was required that all owners furnish a return of all the dogs that they had. The registration fee is 10s. to be paid to the Inspector before the 14th January, under a penalty of £5, a moiety of the fee going to the informant. The proposed fees paid to the collectors would be ten per cent. Cr. Johnson thought that the County would derive about £300 a year. The districts suggested were Gisborne, Makaraka, Matawhero, Te Arai, Tologa, but the discussion on the subject was arranged for at the adjourned meeting to-day, when possibly a sub-committee would be appointed to provide for the efficient working of the Act. Tenders, Office op Valuer.— There were four tenders — Mr. G. Davis, £75 ; O. L. W. Bousfield. £75 ; C. W. Ferris, £90 ; W. Ratcliffe, £100 per annum thej}; two latter being informal as the deposit did not accompany the tenders. Ors. Porter and Scott supported the appointment of O. L. W. Bousfield, Crs. Johnson and Chambers supported the application of Mr. C. W. Ferris. After se/eral motions and amendments, the tender of Mr. O. L. W. Bousfield was accepted. Tologa Bay Ferry. — There was but one tender from Mr. T. Kirk for £4 per annum which was accepted. Adjournment. — At 12.30 the Council was adjourned till 10 p.m. this day.