COOK COUNTY COUNCIL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1433, 18 April 1905, Page 3

COOK COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING.

The ordinary meeting of the Cook County Council wa3 held lyesterday at tho Counoil office, Lowe street, when tho following members woro present : Capt. Tucker (in tho chair), Crs Clayton, White, Matthews, Gray, and Harding. TOLAGO BAY BRIDGE. i

Considerable discussion took place in regard to the rebate of wharfage on the material for the Tolago Bay bridge, the Harbor Board having forwarded the following oommnnioation : “ I beg to inform you that at the meeting of this Board last night Mr Sievwright, in pursuance of notice of motiou, moved the following resolution : * That the resolution of this Board at last meeting, remitting wharfage rst93 on. the Tolago Bay bridge, bo rescinded.’" This was seconded by the Chairman, and carried by a large majority, and I now enclose herewith a memo of wharfage due on the portion landed on this wharf,’ viz., £l9, 95.” It was decided to remit the amount mentioned from the money due to the contractor for the bridge, which is now completed, and will bo opened on Monday next

TEJAMWAYS ON BOAD3.

Me W. L. Esos wrote asking for permission to lay down a tramway on the main oonniy road at Karaka, also from the oorner of the Kanekanae road, down that road and on to tho other side of the Waipaoa river to tho Kumukumu blook. Or Clayton thought the Counoil should do ail in their power to assist Mr Bees so long as the interests of tho ratepayers were not prejadiood. _ The Chairman said that if the application were entertained the Council’s course was to pass a resolution and advertise tho same. Objections could then be made. Cr Clayton urged that the Council ehould give every facility towards fostering a local industry. The Chairman pointed out that the road traffic mast not be interfered with in any way. Some parts of the roads were not . enough to permit of a tramway being laid without interfering with tho ordinary traffic. If the application wore granted a stipulation should be made for the free carriage of gravol for the County Council. r Cr Matthews thought the Engineer should be satisfied on the whole matter. The Chairman said that this would be done.

On the motion of Cr Clayton, seconded by Cr Harding, it was agreed to grant the application made by Mr Rees, subject to everything being to the satisfaction of the County Engineer. > ... TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

The Poverty Bay executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union wrote asking the Council to give a small grant towards the promotion of agcicultural education. Cr Clayton- moved ; that the Council grant the sum of £SO per year towards the same. It was very necessary for farmers to bo educated in the practical and scientific methods of the industry in which they were engaged. Such classes were working with the greatest success in other countries, and also in the .'South Island of New Zealand. Cr Matthews seconded the resolution, endorsing the remarks made by Cr Clayton. He did not think they should debate the amount as it was altogether insignificant.

The motion was unanimously adopted. The Chairman : It is carried. Cr Harding : If one were to ask for £6 for a road he would not get it. The Chairman : X. was against it but after hearing the eloquent address by Cr Clayton I am convinced that it is money well spent. Cr Harding ; I am only remarking how things go round. Cr Gray : It is only as an- experiment. Or Clayton thanked members for the vote, which he was sure would bring forth excellent results. GISBORNE-ROTORUA STOCK TRACK.

Mr C. W. Hursthouse, of the Department of Roads, wrote in regard to the above, pointing out shat the sum of £395, i._ which was available for tho work was for - Gisborne to Rotorua, which track was partly in Cook and and partly in Whakatane counties. The vote wa3 a conditional one of £ for £. If the Council were willing to contribute any sum at that rate up to £250 he would bB glad to recommend an amount equal to the Council’s contribution boiog granted for expenditure. Capt. Tucker was anxious to secure the sum mentioned. He urged that the Council should endeavor to raise the sum of £250. It was resolved to accept the oSer of the Department and contribute £ for £ up to £250. NOXIOUS WEEDS. 1. Gazette notice was read, including kangaroo acacia, viper’s bugloss and wild borage, in the second schedule of tho Noxious Weods Act, 'I9OO. Cr Harding said that ragwort was fast increasing in the district, but by many it was not viewed as harmful. Cr Clayton : That is quite contrary to the opinion of Mr Gilruth. Ragwort might fatten the cattle first but it kills them afterwards. ■ ABATTOIRS’ ROAD.

The Borough Council wrote in regard to 4ho abattoirs’ road, asking for the Council’s contribution under an agreement previously arrived at. Several Councillors were not aware.that the Council was bound in regard to the road. Cr Harding referred to the road as being in a disgraceful condition in maDy places. The road was bad at both ends and he did not know how the Oounoils expected tbe butchers to go to the abattoirs the butchers would make an extra charge on tho consumers. He blamed the Borough Coaneii rnoro than he did the County Council. The agreement boing turned up it was found that the Council were bound within a reasonable time to attend to the road. After further discussion the matter was j referred to the Engineer to furnish a re- / port to tho next meeting.

TARUHERU BRIDGE. The vote of tho eleven-twentyeigbths of -the cost of maintenance and improvements to the Taraheru bridge provoked a lengthy discussion, Cr Matthews con tandiug that the reserve funds of the Council wero being encroached upon.to too great an extent. Ho wanted tho matter referred to'the Council’s solicitor, as he was not sure that tho auditor would pass the

amount. Cr Harcling said tho work boneQtod tho County Council as well as the Borough Council. Ho moved that the amount be ’ paid. It was only wasting time and money referring the matter to the solicitor. Cr Clayton said that from a County point of view the footbridge could not be £.l regarded as an improvement.' j Y. the Borough Council had powers the Council Bhould object to the payment. Or Matthews objected to the payment on principle. He did not see how the additions to the bridge could bo termed an improvement. A new bridge should have been constructed instead of additions being made to a rotten one. Under the terms of the decision of the Commission the Council should not pay the amount. Cr Matthews moved as an amendment that the account bo paid subject to the approval of the solicitor. The amendment was carried, the Chairman, Crs Clayton, Gray and Matthews voting for it and Crs Harding and White against. GISBORNE -W AIK ARE MOAN A ROAD A letter was received from the Premier acknowledging receipt of the Council’s letter of the Bth instant, applying for a grant of £SOO for repairs on the stock track between Gisborne and Waikarer xno.ana. The matter had been brought before the Minister for Public Works for report and consideration, —Receivod. CLARK’S ROAD. Mr W. Lissant Clayton, provincial secretary of the Farmers’ Union, wrote askiDg that the Council have the road leading from tho Big Bridge to tbo river opened to travelling stock. The road was at present fenced off, and people bringing stock' to the saleyards complained that they could not water BDimals. The Chairman said they would see what H could be done in tbo matter. , ; ; —■—...—: . ... *

COMPENSATION CLAIM.

Topora Ruru , wrote asking the Oounoil for £205, his share in the Mangarara No. 10, takon for tho Tolago Bay bridge road. It was dooidod that the matter must go to tho Native Band Court. WAIMATA STOCK BRIDGE AND BY-BAWS.

Tho “Waimata branoh of tho Farmers’ Union wrote stating that Mr Konway was claiming ;£BO for tho site of the stook bridge. They considered tho sum was excessive, and asked that a dose scrutiny Jbo rnado into Mr Konway’s olaim. Tho branoh supported tho Council in the matter of tho broad tyro by-law, and stated that if tho by-law proved to press excessively at any time tho Counoil could bo relied upon to have it modified. Tho Council decided that a reply bo sent to tho Waimata branoh thanking them for tho interest takoD in those two matters, and also stating that tho by-law would not be altered unless it prossod unduly on settlers. It was also rosolvod that an advertisement be inserted in tho daily papers asking that settlors got their stores in before the winter

TOBAGO BAY PUNT. Mr Wall, on behalf of Murewai residents, wrote asking for the uso of the Tolago Bay punt at he mouth of the Waipaoa river, which would considerably shorten the journey from Murewai to town. Many people preferred the beach to the road for driving and oyoling. A man could be found to look after the punt for the fees. The Engineer stated that tho Whakatano poople had communioated with the Counoii about tho punt, and he had been asked to value it. Or Harding stated that the punt should not bo allowed to leave the district. Xf they sold tho punt they would only have to proouro another onb for the Big river. Or Matthews also’Supported Mr Wall’s application;

It waa decided to agree to Mr Wall’s request, providsd that the Tolago Bay people did noli want the punt. STOCK PADDOCK.

Mr G. Tiffen waited on the Counoil, and asked that a small piece of ground across the Walpaoa river at Kaitaratahi be proclaimed as a stock paddock for travelling sheep. The Counoil decided to look into the matter.

TOBAGO BAY BRIDGE TOLBS. Cr Harding gave notice of motion that at nest meeting of the Council they revoke or alter the resolution fixing the rate of tolls re Tolago Bay bridge, and take into consideration.the advisability of reducing the foil of 4d levied on the ratepayers to 3d, as be considered a 3d toll ample to pay the interest on the loan.

The following tenders were received to collect tolls at the Tolago bridge :—Goodlev 41265, J. Hyde £lB6, W. F., Hale £236, Clsffy £205, W. Bookwood £276. Mr Goodley’s tender was accepted, the Council reserving the right to reduce the scale of tolls, they proportionately reducing the amount of the tender. SUPPBEMENTARY RATE. The Chairman gave notice of motion that at their next meeting the Council pass a resolution to strike a supplementary rate over the County It was with reluotance, he said, that be did so, but they had to face the position. He was besieged

with demands to have certain works done* The people were continually olamoring for the Council to apsist thorn, but they could not do so on pipi Bhells. The only way bo could see was to strike a supplementary rate. It would bo unpalatable, but if the people continued to besiege the Counoil with their demands .for this and that it was the only thing to be done. Or Gray suggested that the Finance Oommitteo go into the question before next meeting. It was agreed that the Finanoo Committee meet-on May 12, the Council to meet on the following Friday. ENGINEER’S REPORT. Mr Be G. Fraser, County Engineer, reported :—Contraot. 89: Uawa Bridge contraot —This work is now drawing to completion. The metalling at approaches haß still to be done. It is proposed to open the bridge for public traffio on the 24th ihst. Contraot 94 : Collecting and breaking boulders, Waimata Valley road —Completed.* The metal is now being oarted out on to the road. Contraot 96 : Mangamaia loan works— Fair progress is being made, and the road has now roaohed the top of the hill near Campbell’s. , Contraot 100 : Carting shingle,Puatae— AH shingle collected has been plaoed on the road, and the drays have now been removed to tne Tolago Mill. Contraot 101: Carting metal to depots —Completed. Contraot 102: Quarrying and breaking metal from Gray’s quarry, Waimata— Completed (668yds). Contraot 106; Carting 200yds shingle, Lavßnham road—Completed. Contract 107: Delivery of 200yds of shingle, Waimata, Gray’s Hill—Completed, Contract 108: Delivery of broken stone, Oripau—A further hitch has occurred in this contract. The quarry opened up is of very inferior quality, and work has been stopped for the present. The contractor has gone to considerable expense in making a road, etc., and opening up a face. I should, under the circumstances, recommend the Council to vote a sum of, say, £ls, to further prospect this district, as a quarry of suitable material would be invaluable, and there seems to be indications that metal may be obtained by further prospecting. Contract 112: Metalling, WhataupokoOrmond road.—2oo to 300 yards of metal have been delivered and knapped. Contract 114: Cleaning drains, Patutahi. —Fair progress is being made. Contract 115: Metalling. Mutiwai. —

Completed. ■ , Contract 116 : Metalling, Wairoa road. —This work is in hand, and the contractor quarrying and breaking the requisite amount of stone. Contract 118: Paramata-Mill road.—ls in hand ; not yet completed. Contraot 121: Metalling, Wainui road. —Progressing satisfactorily. Several other contracts that have been lately let out have not yet been taken in hand.

As the decking on the Arai bridge was in a very bad state, X have had the whole of the beam spans renewed and some patching effected on tho truss spans. X would recommend that the latter be sheathßd with 2-inoh planks, when the whole bridge will be in good order for several years. With reference to the proposed bridges to be ereotod at Wharekopae and Mangatu, I would ask authority to at onoo order the necessary steel work, so that the work can be proceeded with in the early spring. The cost of the steel work o i.f. Gisborne would be os follows : Wharekopae bridge, 15yds span, J 6372; Mangatu bridge, two 80ft Bpars, .£528. MISCELLANEOUS. Mr W. P. Somerville, of Tolago Bayi wrote in regard to several works in that district. He regretted that he had been unable to attend to the drain for which a sum was granted at the last meeting..— The Engineer said the sum of J 612 voted would be sufficient for the work. A culvert mentioned by Mr Somerville needed re-decking. In reply to the District Road Engineer the Council decided to oomplete the Wharekopae bridge, plans for whioh were at present under inspection. The Council accepted an invitation from the Tolago Committee to be present at tbs opening ceremony of the Uawa bridgo. In roply to Mrs M. A.JStevens, of Patutabi, the Council decided that they could not do anything to improve the road between Messrs Chambers’ and Kemptborne’s, as several sums bad recently been spent there. A letter from tho Public Works Department re a road through Waihuka valley was referred to the Overseer. Messrs Ereti Te Kani, M. Mullooly, and other owners of Maugatuna No. 1 block, asked that £lO an acre be paid into the Land Court for land token for road pur- i poses, so that the Court oould pay same to rightful owners.—The Council deoidod to empower -the Chairman to effect a settlement with the natives. Mr A. Macmillan, of Whakarau, wrote objecting to section 6, block 12, Motu, being included in the rating district to provide funds for a road through Waihuka station. His natural outlet was by the Opotiki-Gisborne road, and tho proposed . road would give him no aooess.—Tho Clerk stated that the objection came too lato, as the resolution had been confirmed. —Received,