LATE COAST NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 878, 30 April 1903, Page 3

LATE COAST NEWS.

WAIAPU COUNTY COUNCIL. MONTHLY MEETING. Tho monthly meeting of the Waiapu County Council wus held at Wuipiro yestoi'day morning, when tho following members were present: Messrs T. Sherwood (in tho chair), A. B. Williams, Knox, Hindmivrsh, Henderson, and T. S. Williams. Leavo of absence was granted to Mr A. H. Wallis. CORK K SCON DEN' C E. The Clerk of the Cook Hospital Board wrote asking for tho total value of all rateable property in tho Waiapu district for the purpose of assessing tho Board’s contribution. Tho amount for tho ensuing year was LlOu.

A considerable amount of discussion followed, members being of opinion that the district received little or no benefit for tin amount levied. One member said that it was dreadful to have to pay anything at all, seeing that no benefit was gained. It was agreed to supply the information asked for. SLAUGHTERING LICENSES. The Chief Veterinarian forwarded a circular and application form for the renewal of slaughterhouse licenses for the information of councillors. A similar copy had been sent to all butchers iQ the district. ACCIDENT INSURANCE. The Government Insurance Department wrote drawing attention to the fact that under the terms of the Workers’ Compensation Act Amendment Act, which camo into forco on April Ist, the liability of the Council on account of accidents had increased. EXTENSION or TIME. Mr V. Sorrenson, contractor, wrote asking for an extension of timo for three weeks for the completion of his contract, bio. 10, also for an advance of £3O. The Engineer agreeing, it was decided on tho motion of Or Heudorson, seconded by Cr Knox, to grant both applications.

A FOOTBRIDGE WANTED. Mr J. S. Pottie, Chairman of tho Wai' piro School CoinmiHoe, wroto pointing out that a few years ago tho Council had offered to build a footbridge across tho Waipiro creek if tho residents fonnd tho sum of .£lO. On behalf of the School Committee bo now offered 1112 towards tho work. Mr Pettie pointed out that the Government were about to erect a new school on the opposito side of the creek, und it would bo awkward if the footbridge was not built.

Tho Engineer said tho bridge would cost £3O. Cr Hindmarsh said that all tho children lived on this side of the' creek, and the footbridgo would bo required. The Chairman said that tho matter had been mooted some years back. Ho thought the offer of the Committee a very fair one,

Aftor further discussion tho matter was deferred. UKAZINO UU.YS. Messrs McLuchlan and Barclay wrote asking-.to be allowed to spend tho fourths that had accrued on small grazing runs at tukcauaru, as tho river was eating away tho newly surveyed line. They proposed to erect a groyne to turn tho river from

the road. Cr Henderson spoke in favor of tho application boing granted, as ho considered it a reasonable ono. He moved a motion to that effect, which was seconded by Cr T. S. Williams and carried.

A RESIGNATION. A letter was received from Mr N. McKay, of Tokomaru Bay, tendering his resignation as poundkeeper. Two applications were received for tho position, and Mr J. Wilson was appointed.

LICENSES.

A renewal of a slaughterhouse license .1 ivas granted to Mr W. Oates, of Toko- j maru. Kite,INKER S ltEl’OltT. The County Engineer, Mr \V. O’Ryan, in his report, stated that Air AlcGtackcn had completed his Hikiwai-Pawariki contract, and had commenced on the IhuniaAlata road, with which work ho was maki„c good progress. Mr McNeil reported having got to peg 184 on tho Tuakau road. The Engineer pointed out that this con- > tract was not being carried on so espedi- ' tiously as he desired. He had spoken to Mr McNeil in regard to tho tardy manner in which the work was being carried out, and tho reason given was that tho contractor was unable to obtain labor. One effect of the loss of tirno on the Tuakau road was that Air AlcNeil had not been able to start his work on tho To Pua road contract, lot to him over a month ago. Tho Engineer stated that he had not been able to visit tho Tuateroku bridle track, being carried out by Ernoka Ivukuata and others, but he was informed that good progress was being made. Renata Ngata and Wi Pepero were making very fair progress with tho Kakariki road contract-, and on the occasion of his last visit a mile and a half of formation had been done. Renata Pohatu had completed his contract for formation at Tiki Tiki. JSorrcnson had made some progress with his work at Pakeakanui, but so far had not been carrying on tho work in a satisfactory manner. He had drawn his attention to this on the occasion of the last two visits, and he hoped that matters would have improved when he next inspected the work. In regard to day labor, the cutting ovor Neil’s crossing had been completed in the early part of the month, and ho had employed the same men to remove largo boulders from tho Alahangawini creek, near Tokomaru. These boulders occupied the middle of the stream, and in floods directed the current against tho bank, undermining tho road, which had i begun to slip. Two men had been cmi ployed repairing about half-a-mile of the . Waipiro-Te Pua road, and oni gaged in repairing the Awanui-Kawakuwa i road. He had had timber for tho culverts

. carted on to the road, and the culverts . would now be put in. Ife purposed geti ting lire men to travel the I’akuakanui . track, and do some light repairs wtiich ’ were badly required before the winter The Engineer further reported that he had the broken deck planks in the ffika- ' wai bridges repaired and the culverts opened ; lie had also had the approaches to the bridges made up with gravel where they had sunk. .During the last month he visited the northern end of the County and arranged for small necessary repairs. .Mr •McCracken had commenced work with the road machine ori the Waipiro-.Uakariki road, and when that was completed he I would do tire Waipiro-fhunia road. The new iine of road through Pakariki would shortly he completed from Awanui to Kaianga. IJcpairs to the value of JS2O were necessary ori the Te flora-V/aimata-tini road. The engineer urged that provision should he made for a water-trough on the Tokomaru Tolago road, and ho also mentioned the necessity of settlers destroying the Dathurst burr and Californian thistle, which was spreading rapidly throughout the district. The Chairman complained of the slowness in starting woik on the Springs road, and the Council decided to write informing Mr McNeil that the delay in starting work had been recorded. On the motion of Cr Knox, seconded by Or Henderson, it was decided to expend the sum of T'iO on the Waimutatiui road | as suggested by the engineer. | Tub question of the erection of a water trough on the Tokuuntru-Tolugo road was deferred.

NOXIOUS WEEDS. Considerable discussion look piaco in regard to the growth of Bathurst burr and Ouliforniiiri thistle. Cr T. S. Williams thought it was no use so mo settlers striving their best to eradicate tiro weeds when others did not do anything. Tho Engineer said that it was difficult to get the natives to clear their lands. It was decided to try and arouse enthusiasm amongst the natives and European settlers and get them to take steps to clear their properties ; failing that the Council would he compelled to adopt stronger ! measures. AN A WAN UI MATTER. Mr C. Butler, of Awanui, wrote asking the Council for a vote of £u towards the cost of forming the road near his hotel. It was pointed out that tho Council was not in funds to grant tho request, and this gavo rise to a discussion as to tho amount paid by the Awanui hotels in the way of iiconseSj of which the Council got fcllS benefit. Finally the sum asked for was voted.

KING KR COSTS. Cr Hindmarsh urged the necessity of erecting finger-posts on the PuketikiParawariki road.

Cr A. B. Williams thought tho matter might stand over until tho Government grant had been obtained to convert the track into a dray road. It was part of the Waipiro riding, and they had no money available. Consideration wa3 deferred. TENDERS.

Tho following tenders wore received : Contract No. 22 : J. Murphy X 230, H. McClutch.y XToO, Renata Tahata Xl5O, Manaha Kauvvi XBU (X 80). The Engineer’s estimate for this work was XIUO. Contract 33: A. T. Forrester X 37 10s, George Wilson, £27 10s (accepted). Engineer's estimate X 34.

Contract 31 : T. H. McCracken X 316 (accepted). Tho Engineer’s estimate was X 335. ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to X 595 9s 6d were passed for payment. SERIOUS ACCIDENT. Late last evening a serious accident happened at tho Okitu bacon factory to a son of Sergt. Siddcils, of Gisborne. Tho young man was returning to tho factory from town, and by some means was thrown from his horse, and sustained concussion of the brain. Tho accident happsned close to the factory, and a messenger was at onco despatched to Gisborno tor medical assistance. Sergt. Siddeils was also informed of the accident, and at once left town.

Tho Rev. O Fitzgerald will hold servico at To Horo (Port Awanui) on Sunday morning next, and at Kaharau in the afternoon.

Mr A. DeLautour is leaving Te Araroa at the end of the present month for the Waimata, and prior to his departure is to be tendered a complimentary social. The function promises to be a groat success. Sorno anxiety was caused at Kawakawa during tho week on account of two natives who were missing for sovcral days, and who it was feared hud been drowned. It appears that the natives loft Kawakawa for Hicks’ Bay in a whaleboat to fetch a caeo of corrugated iron, and the weather coming up rough fears wero entertained for their safety. A search was made for them on Sunday and Monday last without success, but on Tuesday at noon a tolograph message was received from Little Awanui stating that tho two natives had arrived there in an exhausted state, having been at sea in tho whaleboat since tbe previous Saturday morning.