COOK COUNTY COUNCIL

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1962, 22 December 1906, Page 2

COOK COUNTY COUNCIL

Yesterday the ordinary meeting of the above was held at the Council offices. Present: Capt, Tucker, Crs Matthews, Hardmg, Carmichael, White, and Macdonald. Correspondence was read and dealt with as follows From Mr C. Neenan, Ormond Hotel, asking the Council for the usual contribution to the horse trough and windmill. The writer added that it had cost him several pounds to lift and clean the ’ pipes after the late flood. Usual contribution of £3 made.

From Mr Dan Porter, asking for permission to remove soil at the end of Fox street, Whataupoko. The Engineer stated a good deal of stuff had been taken that should not haye been removed, and he referred ' the matter to the Council. Cr Matthews said there w ere places where stuff could be removed with advantage. Tho matter was left in the hands of Cr Matthews. From Robert McNeill, enclosing copy of his letter to the Engineer in charge of Roads Department, re the Hauiti-Takapau road, for which the Government had voted £2OO, provide ing the Council spent a similar amount. Mr McNeill, as a ratepayer, objected to the “unnecessary squandering of public money, and trusted that the Engineer’s department would not allow Council to accept a tender for a„._, part of the work when they have a lower tender for the whole work.” Tenders for the above work were called in six sections, and Mr Joseph McNeill tendered for the whole work at £390, His tender was declared in--formal, as he had not stated a price for each of six sections. The next lowest tender was £530 and the Coujws***. cil cut out two sectious to bring the tender within the £4OO, and let the work.

Tho Engineer said that the last year the contract was let to the lowest tenderer, hut this year tenders werq called for the work in sections. He

thought the tender of McNeill, besides being informal, was too low.—The matter was deferred till next meeting.

From H. Pollen, Secretary for Colonial Secretary’s Department, forwarding copy of the Local Government Bill, 1906, which it is intended to introduce next session,—Received.

From Henry Trent, Commissioner of Crown Lands, forwarding schedule of 11 thirds ” and fourths ” and asking for details of proposed works, - Received. From A. Parsons, County Ranger, re stallion being put in Council’s stock paddock, Karaka, stating ho visited the paddock, finding that tho horse had been put in off and on for some time. Tbe owner had now another paddock for the animal.-

The owner of the stallion (Lord Glasgow) was William Warrington, of Ormond. Cr McDonald said tho horse was breaking down tho fences. From Howard Kenway, acting for P. T. Kcnway, resignation of latter’s seat' for the

Tolago 'riding, owing to absence in Eng r land. - Received.

From C. E, Armstrong, Engineer Publio Works, with reference to crossing at Te Karaka, forwarding the reply of the Engineer in Chief to tho effect that it is

essential to have an over bridge, because a level crossing would be very dangerous in that vicinity, both to road and railway traffic. If this ™as done there is no objection to tho road being diverted. The Engineer said the overbridge would cost about £2OO. Tho Council would havo to do it, Ho personally thought the overhead bridge would bo moro dangorous than tho local crossing. The Publio Works Department should pay a share of tho work, as it would-cost £BOO oc £2QQ,

rphe matter was dealt with in his report* FromThos. Todd, 5.G.8., 43a, sec, 1, AVaingaromia, asking permission to spond tho fourths accruing to tho AVaimataAraldhi road, which was in a bad condition. Tho Clork stated L 9 had accrued. The AVaimata. Hoad Board last year ■ claimed this money, but it was not in this case compulsory. Mr Todd’s roquost was granted. - Or McDonald statod that 3d per yard Ik was charged on grazing land. Tho Clork said tho Council reooivod only 25s por yoar on this account. From J. Mackay, Chiof Inspector of Factories, stating that it was necessary for tho Council to havo a spoeial meeting during January for tho purpose of fixing tho closing day for shops at 1 o’clock in each district. Special meeting to bo held, councillors expressing themsolvos of opinion that tho day for closing should bo Thursday ns in town. AVith roforcuco to tho exehango of roads on Mr Loisol’s property, AVaihau, tho following resolution was notified Mr Loisol: “ That if this Council is not permitted by Government to close tho old road, Mr Loisel bo paid just compensation for new lino of road.” . This was communicated to Mr Loisol, who in reply wrote: “From your letter of 20th I gatlior that thero is a likelihood of tho Government objecting to tho old road. AVill you inform mo whotkor that objection applies to tho whole lino of road or only to tho portion through my property, whilo allowing tho closing through Mr Cooper’s property known as “ Mokairau ? ” Tho Engineer explained tho position of the two roads, and it was decided to throw tho onus of closing or keeping road open upon tho Government when tho plans went forward. From M. Mullooly, Tolago Bay, asking that tho Council’s Bangor bo instructed to impound all stock running at large on tho roads thore. Tho letter was referred to the Council's ranger with instructions to act

The roport of the Ranger (A. Parsons was read showing that 86 impoundings had taken plaoo With roforenco to dealing tho Waimata Valley road, tho Rangor stated ho had to get assistance and now asked Council for an extra amount to cover this expense. Amount granted, councillors expressing satisfaction at tho work done, Tho Engineer’s report was read as follows Contract 186 : Ereotion of bridge at Matawhero —Satisfactorily completed, and opened for general-traffic. Contract 1508 : Pnatae deviation—this oontraot has been oomphted in a satisfactory manner; several heavy slips occurred daring tho lets floods, whioh are being removed and the road is now open for wheel traffic- I feel sore the work will be a very great boon to the traveling pnblio ; the grades are easy throughout, and daring the summer months the whole length of deviation oan be traversed in half an hoar. I anticipate some trouble with slips on oertain portions during the ooming winter, bat on the whole it may be considered a very good line of road. Oontraot 1 67 : Formation, etc., Haaiti —Good progress is being made with this oontraot, and excellent woik performed. Contract 159 : Bridle track and orating, Mangabanmia—This oontraot is now praotioally oomplete, with exoeption of Blips to be removed and farther olearing on portion Ibrongb the bush. Oontraot 163: Formation Waihoka Valley—Tenders have been called for a farther 237 ohains of this rosd. Oontraot 164 : Manrgahaamia—About !§■ miles of bush felled and oleared 36ft. Oontraot 163 : Bond metal for depots,— Work progressing satisfactorily. Oontraot 166: Metalling near MoLsan’s Waikobn road—32 ohains have been metalled with 66 fset of river shingle. Oontraot 167 : Metal repairs—Whatatutu road—Nearly 400yds of metal have been carted oat and the road repaired for about 150 ohains ; other portions of this road are also reoeiving attention. Oontraot 168: Dismanting Waipaoa bridge—Very good progress is being made with this work ; three spans have been removed, and the timber stacked within road reserve ; fencing oi approaches to the pew bridge are also nearly completed. Oontraot 172 : Metal repairs Lavenham road —Completed. Oontraot 174 : Depot metal Makarori and Tatapouri, in hand. A number of other oontraots which have been let will be under way after Christmas. With reference to the proposed deviation at Te Karaka catting, oopies of the plans were forwarded to the F.W. department, and while approving of the general proposed deviation require that the Council should at the eastern end oonstruot an overhead bridge at the railway crossing in plaoe of having a level road crossing. Should the Oounoil authorise it I will at ones put the matter in hand, and oomplete the necessary plane, etc. On the Whatekopae-Tabora road some five miles between the new bridge and Boberls have been laid off and tho necessary plane will be made as soon as possible and lenders called for-the woik ; the loan authorised, however, will not be nearly euffioient to execute the proposed work. Tenders have been called, to close on 9th January, for erection of bridges north of Tolago and at Paremata, and for formation and drainage work at Haiti, A sum was placed on the schedule of works for erecting a concrete wall at Tapuae to replace the present timber breastwork. I would recommend that this work be done by the Council and not by contract, B.S close supervision is necessary, and the work could be more advantageously completed with our own workmen. I beg also to report that I have laid off a bridge sito at Pakarae, together with g, very satisfactory line of approach, and which would lead eventually across the flat and join the Panikau road about half a mile north of Seymour’s homestead. Tho bridge site would be about 40 chains beyond the Pakarae hotel, up-stream; the river here is 189 feet aeross, with good banks, and by putting the bridge at this point I estimate that quite £IOOO could be saved than by the site near the ferry. With reference to total cost my approximate estimates could now be made as follows: Bridge complete, £2313; formation, fencing, and continuation, ,£524; total estimate, £2837. With reference to the Karaka crossing overhead bridge, it was decided to refer this matter to the Government. Or McDonald said he would like to see the deviation carried out as soon as possible, as two or three days’ rain would completely block the road. Ii was decided that the engineer prepare plans and specifications for the work re qaired, exclusive of overhead bridge, at onoe and that tenders be called for, the overhead bridge being left in aboyanoe nntil the Government was oommanioated withWith regard to the Pakarae bridge, Or Matthews said be would have a proposal to miike at next meeting. Tae engineer’s report was adopted. Or Harding presented a petition from 20 influential ratepayers asking that Monkbonsa street be made from Cook street to the hotel, a distacca of 12 chains. He thought the request should be granted, as the road wa3 very bad. S-oonded by Or Matthews. Tbo Engineer stated the oast would bo about £lo3.—The engineer was iustruoted to coll tenders for same. Or Oarmiohael said settlers were complaining of the state of the Wharekopae road, la one or two planes this road was in a bad state, and almost impassable for teams oomiDg down. The olork said tho road was not under the Ocuocil’s jariediotion. The Oounoil were of opinion that the road abonld be kept open, and the engineer was inalreol-ad to pat a surfaceman on the road. Aooonnts amounting to £2580 were passed for payment.