COOK COUNTY COUNCIL.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 144, 29 June 1901, Page 4

COOK COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of the Cook County Council was held yesterday. Present: Messrs Macfarlane (Chairman), J. Tomblesoti, King, Graha in, A. Hutchinson, W. Cooper, W. J. Mosstnan, and Jcx-Blake. CORUESroNDEXCE. The Public Works Department wrote, stating that they could not see their way to accede to the Council’s request to have a dag station at Makauri, as the station would be one and a half miles from the stopping place. Messrs W. A. G. Hicks wrote, asking for payment of half cost of cleaning and deepening fifteen chain of drains on the main Ormond iioad.—The Engineer stated that the work had not been authorised by the Council.—C-r King proposed that half the amount should be paid, and was supported by Cr Cooper.—The Chairman opposed the payment on principle.— Cr Tombleson thought it would bo a bad precedent if the Council paid the amount. —The resolution was lost. The Whataupoko Road Board wrote, drawingattcution to the unsatisfactorystatc of the drains on the main road.—Referred to Engineer.

The Motu Settlers’ Association wrote with regard to the state of the Motu road from Maungatawaßush. —Matter was deferred until Council had more funds.

Mr Robert Scott of the Willows wrote, drawing attention to the state of the drain on the main road just across the Kaitcratahi road. —On the motion of Cr King it was decided to get the Engineer to report on the drainage in the locality at the next meeting. At this stage the Chairman asked to bo excused for au hour, as he had to attend a meeting of the Licensing Committee.— Cr Hutchinson was therefore voted to the Chair.

One of the Accident Insurance Companies wrote with regard to the Council insuring their workmen against accidents. One member stated that it was only in connection with the quarry that there was any danger. The Clerk said that in the ease of the quarry the contractor would be liable. Cr King stated that it cost him LlB 10s per year to insure the men at his timber mills. The rate was according to the schedule of wages put in. Cr Graham said that there was no necessity to go into the matter at once. They had only their own stall to consider. After further discussion it was decided to refer the matter to the Chairman, the Council’s solicitor, the Clerk, with instructions to take out a general policy insuring the workmen employed by the Council. Cr Mossman brought up the question of improving the Murcwai Road in the vicinity of Mr White’s house. There were a number of ruts which required to he attended to. The Engineer said that the quarry whore stone could he obtained was throe miles away, and the road would not stand the metal being carted over it. Consideration was deferred.

engineer’s report. The Engineer reported as follows : —All works from Government grants in the Tolago-Arikihi district have been completed. At the Putac hill some 500 yards of shingle have been collected, and arrangements made with the contractor to cart same on to the road as weather permits. Depots: The specified quantities of metal have been delivered, and I am having it spread whore most required in the different sections. Metalling Inland Waiapu road has been satisfactorily completed to the junction with the main Ormond road. The formation of Mahia road will probably bo completed in about 10 days’ time. Work of clearing drains, WhataupokoOrniond road has been well done throughout, but owing to outlets not being cleared, many of the road drains will quickly silt up after heavy rains. Formation and metalling Murcwai : I understand that the party is engaged in quarrying out stone ready for breaking, and shall inspect the work early in the month. With regard to complaint made by Mr Whitaker that offensive matter and a largo amount of surface water was being drained through his land. I have inspected the locality, which is the head of a well-defined watercourse. I saw nothing objectionable, and do not consider he has any claim against the Council.”

The Engineer reported at length with regard to the state of the Waipaoa bridge, and recommended that the same should bo repaired at a cost of about £Bl. This amount would meet with all requirements for ordinary traffic, but with regard to strengthening for heavy) traction engine traffic the sum of .£845 would be required. The cost of strengthening bridges, culverts, etc., to Patutahi quarry would also be £99, making the total estimate for the three works £lO6l 18s 2d, which work could be executed with little or no interruption to the ordinary traffic. It was decided to do the necessary repairs to the Waipaoa river bridge, tenders to bo called for the work. —The report was adopted. For metalling on the Waimata road the tender of Mr Henderson was accepted.