COOK COUNTY COUNCIL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2191, 21 September 1907, Page 2

COOK COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the Cook County Council was held yesterday. Tho Chairman (Hon. Captain Tucker) presided, and there was a- full attendance. PRIVATE WORK SUBSIDISED. Mr. A. Kempthorne, of Westmere, Kaitaratahi, made application for a grant of £lO for the purpose' of scooping the earth thrown out of the Battle Hill drain on the roadway about one or two chains distant. Mr Kempthorne proposed filling the cart ruts with the earth and raising the level of the road as much as possible with the material, them covering the surface for a width of 12 or 15 feet with marl, say four or six inches deep. Marl could be got from a spur of the hill near Te Kani’s native settlement. < The writer also requested a grant of £2O for re-filling gravel depots, as it was two years since they had been filled.

After discussion the grants were made. It was stated that if the amounts were insufficient the Council would consider the question of supplementing them. LEASE WANTED. Mr J. Sutton, roadman, Tolaga, applied to lease a piece of land known as the quarry reserve, on the nopth side of Tolaga. It was at present leased to Mr Reeves. The applicant wanted it for a horse paddock, and would undertake to grub the gorse and blackberry. - The Clerk said the Council had no control. The Roads Department, however, said it would reserve the Council’s privilege to obtain- Btone there.—Applicant recommended to apply to Cmmissibner of Lands.

CONTRACT SYSTEM. Mr. G. W. Tiffen, of Whabarau, wrote asking the Council, when next discussing the question of. road, maintenance, to take into consideration the contract system. From his own observation he was not satisfied that the Council was following the best system in day-work ; he thought a return to the contract system would be of benefit. With the day-work system the Council was so much dependent on the day-wages man’s ability, his desire to work and his punctuality in getting to work. The writer went on to give reasons, adding that nothing said in the letter should be construed as a slur on the roadmen. The Chairman said he thought there was a good deal in what the writer said. He thought it would apply to some portion of tho roads; and it was a fact that tho main road had never been so well kept as when under contract. When the time came for discussing maintenance he would be prepared to move in tlie matter. Cr. W. D. Lysnar said the time had arrived when the Council should try and effect a. saving in the cost of work. The roads should be put in thorough repair in the summer months, and he thought a system of letting contracts for the summer, and reducing expenditure in the winter, would result in a- large saving. He believed that in the dry weather £IOO would go as far as £3OO in winter for road work. He

moved that a committee,, consisting of the Chairman, Crs. White, Matthews, and the mover, be appointed to go into the question, confer with the engineer, and present a report to next meeting. Cr. White seconded. Cr. Boland said he-wanted a full discussion in open Council.., So far as the Tola.ga riding was concerned he was satisfied that the I !.present system was satisfactory. The day men could always be asked to do lepairs in an emergency. Cr. Kenway held similar view's. The Chairman pointed . out that the committee would report: to the whole Council, so there would be full discussion.

In reply to a question, the Chairman said the Engineer, would have work proceeded with as usual pending a decision on the matter. It would not lead to delay, as Cr. Kenway suggested. As to Cr. Boland’s remarks, the adoption- of a contract system in part would not lead to an entire change. The Council could not do without a certain number of maintenance men. He thought the contract system could .be applied with advantage to certain portions of ro id; at all events tile experiment w-a 6 well worth trving. Gisborne main road was ono thoroughfare which could he, worked well by contract. After some further discussion the committee named by Cr. Lysnar was appointed, a proviso being added, on tlie Chairman’s suggestion, that any other councillors who. desired Lie empowered to assist in their deliberations, the rejiort to come up at next meeting. MISTAKE IN A CONTRACT.

Mesrs Evans Bros., Kaitaratahi, wrote that they had made a mistake ill the names of metal depots, and asked to be let off the contract. They had understood that the depot which the Council called Te Kooti whare was identical with Te Karaka. They had put in a tender for the depot known locally as Phillip Whare, and called by the Council King’s Mill. Cr. McDonald believed it was a genuine error. The Engineer said it was a very small matter. The letter was referred to him, with power to settle. KING’S ROAD. Tho Wo,ini at a Road Board (Mr F. B. Martin) asked the Council to take over its portion of King’s road, Ma - kauri. —The request was compiled with, this completing the full length of the road placed under the Council’s control. ■ In reply to' Cr. F. Lysnar, the Chairman said the road was in failorder. AVAIPAOA RIVER, Mr J. M. Gould smith wrote that the cutting into the Waipaoa river, at the crossing near Mr J. Poyute.-’s on the inland Waianu road, was at’ present blocked for traffic. It was only through the courtesy of Messrs Scott .and Telford, in allowing traffic through their paddocks, that the river was crossable at all. Three culverts, also, required to be taken up and cleaned out, and fliers were sovoral minor cuttings to be done. Mr Gouidsmitli asked if the Council would mak© a grant of £25 .oweds making a new cutting into the river and other work. The Waikohu Road Board, -he added, had already trade

a small grant towards tlio same. Tho road and wore largely r:sel by Waihora and Kanaekanao settlers for stock traffic, besides tho writer and other settlors in tins Papakorokoro block. Ho understood tlio Council collected a fair amount of _ rates from that portion of tlio district, and nothing lind been done to tlio road since the flood in July, 1906. Tho settlers had about five miles or private road beyond theWaiapu road to keep in order themselves, and unless the river was crossable they could not got their wool in. Tho Engineer said tlio Council had spent some money there. Hie expense of bridge maintenance would bo saved by adopting the road through Scott’s. The Council had already spent some money on the cutting, but the ford was mot a good one. It was considered by Councillors that the writer was entitled to some consideration in view of the expenditure ho was put. to. Cr. Kenway said that with floods expenditure on tho siding was always recurring. Money should be spent only on a permanent work, and some ten chains of land for a road should bo acquired from Mr. Scott under the Public Works Act. Cr. Lysnar pointed out this would bo much more costly. The Chairman : It would tnko three months to do the larger work. The Engineer said the cost of tlio road would be trivial; the main cost would be for tho land. Tlio matter was referred to the Engineer, with discretionary power to acquire the new rood proposed. The Council favored taking over the now road, but in the event of undue delay tho Engineer was empowered, if he thought it advisable, to expend £25 oil the old road. PATUTAHI QUARRY. Mr. John Griffin. Napier, pointed out tho necessity for despatch in carting stone from the Patutahi quarry, in view of tho currrent contracts. It was for the Council to see that tho carters toefk away the stone as soon ns crushed, instead of making trips only when it suited them, which hindered operations at tho quarry. If carters would come regularly it would be better for all concerned, jfr. Griffin hoped tho alterations made at the quarry would meet the 'demand. The Engineer, said there were complaints from tho carters of inattention at tho depot. On .the other hand many of tlio carters dawdled until late in the season, and then rushed the depot towards the end. Some stricter conditions wero advisable. ■' The matter was referred to Mr. Fraser to take what action lie considers necessary. MANGAPAPA BRIDGE. The Mangapapa School Committee (Mr. E. S. Goldsmith, secretary) asked the Council to alter the condition of the bridge and roadway over Mangapapa Creek, Ormond-road. In wot weather the road was almost impassable and quite unfit for children. A footway on the side of the bridge was necessary for safety. . The Chairman said the provision of a new bridge, with a footpath for tho children, was a very necessary work. The present bridge was too narrow and too low, being flooded in wet weather, and was fit for neither vehicular nor pedestrian traffic. The Engineer said the work was sufficiently large to be done out of the bridge loan. The opinion was unanimous that the bridge was dangerous, and a report is to he made at next meeting. Cr. W. D. Lysnar drew attention to tlie state of a bridge at Wainui, which required raising. The Engineer' stated that he had marked this and another bridge on that road for attention at an early date. Being small works, he would renew-them in the ordinary course of maintenance. . Cr, Lysnar was satisfied with, the assurance.

AN ORMOND MATTER. The Ormond Road Board (Mr J. McLeod) called attention to the bad state of box culvert at the entrance to Ford-road, by Mooney’s corner. — To be attended to. WAIMATA APPROACH. Mr. Phail, learning that the Conncil required 3 or 4 acres of land for an approach to one of the Waimata River bridges, offered open country at £25 per acre, for one or more acres. For plantation land, between the existing road and the new road, he asked £4O an acre. —The matter was referred to Cr. Kenway, to endeavor to make more reasonable terms.

PATUTAHI ROAD BOARD. The Patutahi Road Board wrote forwarding copy of a resolution passed in favor of raising a loan of £IOO6 for the purpose of improving the drainage of the district. Cr. Sherratt explained that the desire was to raise a loan, , but there was a difficulty about the interest. It was considered the Council should make a grant of £SO annually towards the drain, which was a County one, and it would be a saving to the Council. , .. ~ The Clerk, questioned, said a poll would be necessary, there being over 100 ratepayers. _ . . Cr. Sherratt said tlie raising of a loan was’ contingent upon the Council’s support He moved that a vote of £25 towards keeping the mam drain clear be passed. „ . The motion, seconded by the Cui-jur-man, was carried, and it was agreed to take steps to raise the loan. Cr Shorratt observed, in response to a’remark bv the Chairman that the Patutahi people would take the risk of getting a grant from ttie Council each year.

WAIROA BOUNDARIES Telegrams to the Chairman and Cr. Kenway regarding the proposed alteration of boundaries between the Wairoa and Cook counties, were read, the Wairoa Council opposing any alteration without a conference. The Chairman said the AAairoa Council desired flic alteration to include certain settlers who made AVaiheadquarters. Cr F Lysnar volunteered to confer on the" matter, and his services were accepted, no exnenuse to be entailed on the Council. WHAREKOPAE MATTERS. The AA'harekopae-Tahora Settlers Association wroto requesting the Council to expend the sum of L K)U raised for formation of two miles of stock track as soon as possible; also requesting that the Council carry on "formation of dray road as far as the Wharekopao crossing at .Roberts , which would be a distance of about 20 chains from Mitford’s woolshed, thus giving access to another settler. There was a flat at the crossing for waggons to turn. It would also be a convenient place to move the sheds to from the falls bridge, as there was sufficient room there for loading packhorses. Tho Association also asked to have the services of the Engineer to lay off the Wharekopae-Tahora ■road from crossing at Roberts to "Williams’ corner, and that estimates bo taken as to formation. they wished tho work of formation to be put in hand as soon as possible. The Clerk said tho £4OO was not ■yet available. .., Cr Macdonald understood that the 15 chains of road referred to would come out of the loan. . ~ , Cr. Kenway: Oh, that is all right, but no further grant. Tho Engineer said ho would like the laving off mentioned deferred for a month.—Matters referrod to EnSi “ eer ‘ STRAYING CATTLE. . Mr E. B. Martin, wroto with reference to straying cattle, on the Waimata road, acknowledging the Council’s lotter. He stated that ho was by no means tlio only transgressor in this respect, and would assist tho Council if it was intended to enforce the hv-law. At present ho had no ca' Me on tho road. . Mr. W. A. Spurrell, Waimata, wrote further protesting against cattle and horses being turned upon County roads to graze. Cr ' Kcnway stated tho roadman had found 190 head of stock on the road It was simply swarming with stock. A single drover would pick UP 50 or 60 head on tho road, and it Alined much inconvenience. It was mentioned that tho nearest pound was at Ormond. A weeklv (-isit by a ranger was recommended by Councillors. It was decided to V warn stockowners generally, and JjHOwn offenders are to bo written to-

POVERTY BAY ROAD BOARD. Messrs Brocklebank (chairman) and Cuff (secretary) waitod «P on *' lo Council with roferonce to the petition for merging tho district into tho

said tho potation had not gone through tho Road Board, which was tho Pi'oper hod.v. He appoared to oppose it, haling been informed that many persons had signed it under a misapprehension as to a rate. They had been led astray. Tho Chairman: It is liko a deed, and cannot ho altered by a vorbal request. They could lot us know by a counter petition. . Cr W l). Lysnar said it was not necessary that the presont petition should como through tho Road B< T'he Clerk, questioned, said tho Council had three months to docido. The proceedings would tako about fivo weeks. Tho necessary number having signed, the Council had no option on tho question. , . Cr F Lysnar was against taking over the district until tho roads wero put in ordor. Ngatapa and Hangaroa had to put thoir roads in order before Cr. Macdonald pointed out that tho Board was raising a half-penny rato, which would provide for the work. Tho Chairman said tlio Council had apparently no option but to dissolve the Board. Ho could not seo tlio object of dissolution, because the Board could attend to tho by-roads far hotter than the Council. As a ratepayer of tlio district ho would have preferred leaving tho control in the hands of tho Board. Cr W. D. Lysnar: Wo can’t spend anv "more than they raise. Cr. White said thore seemed to bo a misapprehension. The Board’s ratepayers did not escape liability by merging; tho Council could not spend money for nothing. C’r. Lysnar thought tho Council gained by getting tho subsidy. Cr. Matthews said it was simply a transference of rating power to the Council. Tlio district did not gain. It was a 'Question, lie thought, whether tho Council could rato the district as it liked, or be confinod to tho Board’s rate.

Cr. Boland said the deputation would bo satisfied if the matter were held over until they could get up a counter-petition. He moved that it be deferred one month. The Chairman: That will give them time to consider the matter. We can’t make a pound go any further

then they can. Mr. Brocklebank said the ' Board recognised this, but the ratepayers had been led astray, and told that the Council would keep the roads in repair without the rate. The Chairman: If we attend to the by-roads we must have a special rate. They will learn the position through the press, that merging does not relieve them of responsibility. Cr. Matthews: If they have signed under a misapprehension it may affect the petition. Deferred for a month. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The County Engineer, Mr. DeG. Fraser, reported:— .‘■Contract 200, metal depots: A number of contracts have been let, and work will be started at the be-o-inninv of next month. Contract 199, formation river road: Tenders for this work were called some weeks ago, but’ no' offers have been received, and I have arranged to get the contract put in hand at a satisfactory price. Contract 197, erection of four bridges, Waimata V alley road: Tenders to close on sth proximo have been invited for these works. Contract 198, erection of bridge, Pakarae: I have prepared plans and specifications according to instructions, and tenders can be called as soon as funds are available from the Treasury. Contract 194, road formation, Aroha: Completed, as* far as the loan money available. The following contracts held over on account of bad weather will be resumed at an early date: —Contract 193, formation Mangatuna; contract 183. formation Wharekopae-Tahora; contract 183, formation Maungahaumia ; contract 182. metalling College road: contract 181, metalling Man-o-atu : contract. 180, formation Mangamaia; contract 17S, bridges and approaches Mangatuna ; contract 175, Te Karaka cliff deviation. “The weather having been unusually wet for the last six months, it has b«en almost impossible to keep the roads open for traffic where unmetalled The metalled portions also have suffered considerably, our supplies for maintenance purposes having in many instances been quite insufficient to effect repairs. We have had a very large number of men on all tho country roads, but I hope to considerably reduce the staff as the fine Veather comes on. . „ . . “I should be glad of instructions re obtaining horses for the road machine, as some of the members M the Council consider it would be better to purchase than lure horses. “With reference to the Waihuka Valley road, the present contract in hand will Shortly be completed, and as Mr. Hutchinson’s claim for land taken, and the cost of fencing wi absorb all funds available and still leave the Council in debt to the amount of £3OO to £4OO, I have abstained from letting any further work until the above claims arc proVU “ A short piece of road, Riverside Kaiti. requires to be formed, the road lines having been lately fenced about 20 chains is almost impassable. 1 understand the settlers are endeavoring to raise a loan to metal other portions of this road.” TE ARAI ROAD. f'r. White brought up the question of re-instating the Te Arai road after the damage caused by the waterworks contract. Ho had legal opinion that the Borough Council was legally responsible. He moved to the effect that the road ho repaired, with a view to claiming the amount from the Council. _ . , , , , The Engineer pointed out some allowance should be made for damage to the clay portion of the road, not duo to tho cause mentioned. Tho Chairman: Accounts will be kept, and the matter adjusted before we make our claim. The motion was carried. WAIHIRERE RESERVE. The Under-Secretary for Lands wrote with reference to the suggestion that a portion'of the Waihirere block bo secured for domain purposes. It was pointed out that the . lato Scmmry Preservation Commissioners in August, 1905, had recommended that a suitable area of land in the block should he acquired for scenic purposes. Owing to the Gisborne Borough Council intending to acquire th<> whole of the land it had been derided to take no further action. In the event of tho Government favorably considering the question of purchase, the Under-Secretary inquired what portion of the purchase money would be contributed by the County Council or the Borough Council. Tho lei!or quoted instances where .local bodies or public subscription paid 51) per cent towards the cost of reserves. Tl.o Government bad so many ream sts that it was impossible to comply with all of them. It was for tho residents 0 f tho district to show tneir boua-fides by raising a sufficient contribution towards tlio purchase of tho lard, and tlic Under-Secretary sug"es cd a meeting of representaives of the County and Borough Councils and the public. , , , Tho Chairman said he had been informed by the Hon. Wi Pere that tlio nr five owners would not oppose the taking—but not as a gift—of 100 acres. . . . ~ , Cr. W. D. Lysnar said it would bo a disgrace to the local bodies if the opportunity wore let to slip. Cr. E. Lysnar: The Government vu l nation is £6 per acre. Cr. W. D. Lysnar: No doubt wo would come to some agreemnt. Or. Sherratt: It is tho last chauco to get a good scenic reserve. Crs. W. Lysnar, Matthews, and White were appointed a committee to confer with tho Borough Council to see if anything could be done. Cr. Boland: Have the committee power to spend money? The Chairman: No, but to raise subscriptions. ~ .... Cr. Lysnar: We should contribute something, also tho Borough Council. Wo can go into that later on. GENERAL. Mr J. Dickinson, Ruakituri, was granted So for work clone in connec-

tion with tho grnvo of tdio lat-o Captain Carr. , ~ Messrs T. Albortou and P. McDermott woro granted an oxtonsion of two months to eomploto contract on Wharekopao road. 11l rogard to a letter from Mr. W. Spurrell, Waimata, it waß decided to roply that tho Council cannot now entertain any objection to tho bridge loan. Respecting gates on roads, it it was pointed out that tho procedure laid down in tho Aot must bo complied with. After a lengthy discussion a motion to increaso tho royalty on Patutahi stone from 3d to 6d por yard, was withdrawn by Cr. Sherratt. On tho motion of Cr. I* 1 . Lysnnr, a sum of £SO was voted for work on Steele’s road, Hangaroa. Tho Engineer was authorised to procuro any assistance ho requires

during tho busy season. A motion by Cr. .Macdonald was carried, agreeing to expend £SOO in widening and metalling portion of tho Motn road. Mr. A. Zenker notified tho refusal of a To Kowlioi resident to remove u fence, aftor due notice had been given.—lf tho facts aro substantiated, tho Council will comply with the request to issue formal notice. On Cr. Roland’s motion a grant of £5 was made for a stock crossing at tho Mongaheia River, tho settlers providing a similar amount. Tho Chairman mentioned that lie only agreed conditionally on other applications of a like nature being similarly treated. Tlie statement of accounts presented was as follows: —Overdraft August 17, £BB7B 17s 3d. Collected: General rates £27 12s Bd, special rates £2Ol 6s sd, cliaritablo aid rates 3s, interest £1 2s Bd, Nativo rates ss, hawkers’ licenses £1 17s, sundries £1 9s 9d, rate of timber, ote., £ls, hotel licenses £32 10s, rent of cottago £5 7s. kind fund £287 17s 9d, grants £650 8s 2d—£1224 19s sd; total, £7653 19s sd. Required to-day, £1246 7s lOd. Overdraft September 21. £B9OO 5s Bd.

The Department of Roads notified that 2 acres 1 rood 28 porches of Block 7, Patutahi, had been proclaimed under the Public Works Act for

the purpose of a stock road. —The Engineer was instructed to open up the road. —The Clerk stated that the matter would come before the Native Land Court for assessing tho interests of the Native ownorß. Cr. Boland, in accordance with notice, moved to rescind the decision arrived at regarding tho Pabarae site. —Finally the question of site was left open until next meeting, to ?ive Cr. Boland an opportunity of learning tho wishes of tho Pakarae residents. Cr. MacDonald moved that the Council vote £SOO towards the cost of the Waihuka Valley road. Mr. Carroll had promised on a recent visit that the Government would grant at least £750 subsidy to the loan.—The motion was unanimously carried. Cr. F. Lysnar advocated a grant towards Kaiti road. —Or. Kenway moved that a grant of £IOO be made if a loan of £4OO is raised.—Carried.

Cr. W. D. Lysnar urged the Council to buy a team of liorses for the road maohine. —Crs. ’White, Sherratt, Boland, and MacDonald were authorised to buy a team of six liorses, harness, and one dray. On behalf of the Borough Council, the Mayor and Crs. Pettie, Wihinray, and Somervell attended as a deputation, and discussed matters in connection with the Patutahi quarry.— It was agreed that hoppers, at the cost of £2OO, screens, chutes, etc., be provided at the quarry, in order to facilitate handling, the cost to be borne proportionately by both Councils. The contractor will also be asked to contribute. —Tho County Council agreed that the Engineer furnish a report on the cost of strengthening Patutahi bridge, with a view to the possible use of motor or Straker waggons for haulage of stone. —A motion was then carried that the County Engineer report on the supply and quality of W-aihirere, in order to have a report independently of the Borough Engineer’s. ’With regard to the Abattoir road, the Chairman assured the deputation that the County Council would be prepared to do its portion of the work, thus completing tho whole length of road.