COOK COUNTY COUNCIL.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 893, 16 May 1903, Page 3

COOK COUNTY COUNCIL.

The mooting of tho Council was hold yesterday, there being present: Captain Tucker (chairman), Crs White, Gray, Ilarding, Sherratt, Murphy, and Clayton. Mr W. F. Halo waited on tho Council and urged them to proclaim gorse in terms of tho Noxious Weeds Act; that the road surveyed through tho Mangatuna No. 1 block by tho Engineer be forthwith taken ; to draw attention to tho state and management of the Tolago Bay pound ; that .as the matter is one of great importance to himself tho initiatory stops to the takiDg of land for an approach to tho proposed Tolago Bay bridge, on the north side of tho river be at onco taken. Messrs A. Beeves, W. F. Somerville, G. Spence, H. Brill, J. Dixon, and Fitzgerald Brothers, drew the attention of tho Council to the Mangahina rond. The line, about one mile in length, and all on flat land, was the only connection with the Tolago township, and for wheel traffic with tho Waiapu road, for tho settlers on the Uawa-Mangatuna

river. Regarding gorse, Mr Hale said the north° part of Tolngo Bay had been a commonage, and the stock had kept down tho weeds and so kept the unformed roads open for traffic. Now stock was being taken off the roads, it was necessary to take some measures to keep down gorse, briars, etc. There was no road board there. As to tho Mangatuna road, ho stated that if Councillors looked at tho plan of the district and tho ultimate requirements they would see that something must be done towards connecting the two roads. The Chairman stated that tho road would come up later on. Mr Hall said the pound was quite out of repair. The Clerk said Mr E. Boland was given power to act as poundkeeper provided ho kept a yard. Mr Halo said if by next Court day at Tolago, the pound was uot in a better

state, ho would take it that the remedy was in his own hands, and act accordingly. Referring back to the Mangatuna road, ho stated that be was prepared to do the fencing as cheaply as possible. Cr Murphy said the road had been usod from time immemorial. Tho Chairman suggested that thoy should do as tho Motu people had done, indemnify the Council. Cr Murphy said ho understood tho religion of the new Council was to holp those who helped themselves. Tho Chairman moved that tho Council take over the road if the sottlers wero prepared to indemnify the Council against the cost. Cr Murphy said if a loan had to be raised it would be bettor to stato a sum to buy, fence, form, and metal the road. Tho Chairman said it depended a good deal on what the settlors would be contented with.

Cr Harding seconded tho motion, which was carried, Cr Murphy suggesting that an estimate should bo supplied of cost. The County Ranger reported that 77 cattle and horses and 55 sheep had been impounded during the month. It was decided, on tho application of Cr Gray, to proceed with tho Wharekopae road as soon us the loan fund was available. , On the motion of Cr Harding, tho laoy clerk’s salary was iucroascd by 10s per week.

The Treasury notified that i'2ooo was available for expenditure for tho erection of tho Tolago Bay cart bridge.—Received. Mr W. E. Holder, secretary Tolago Bridge Committee, asked that Mr Hursthouse, Chief Engineer of Roads, would supply tho Council with plans and estimates cf the bridge. Tho Chief Engineer wroto in reply to the above, stating that plans would be sent as early as possibio, and cnro taken to have tho amount for tho work revoted. Mr A. Reeves wired on April *.oth : riense stop piocoedings with road. Mr Caldwell going to block road and proceed at law.” In a letter to tho Council, Mr Reeves asked them to avoid any expense until he saw what was to be done, lbc Chairman stated Mr Reeves had guaranteed any expenses. Request acceded to. The Chief Engineer, Department of Roads in reply to the Council’s letter that the Gisborne Rotorua stock track bo made via Ruatahuna, stated the Government could not at present carry out this work. Tho Chairman said the Chief Engineer was very favorable to this when he visited Gisborne. It did not seem to give them much chance for the other work. The Chief Engineer, Department _of Ronds, wired on May Sth ‘ g Grant 4518 (Wairoa road deviation, Aral Valley, £200), wholo vote exhausted. No more Continued on page 4.