COOK COUNTY COUNCIL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2145, 21 March 1908, Page 1

COOK COUNTY COUNCIL.

-MONTHLY MEETING. Tho ordinary monthly mooting of tlio Cook County Council was hold yesterday. Present: Tho Hon. Capt. Tucker (chairman), Crs. I l '. Lysnar, It. Sherratt, E. Toil and, W. D. iS. McDonald, AVhito, H. Kenway, A. E. Matthews, and AV. D. Lysnar. CORRESPONDENCE.

Cr. E. Roland presented tho following resolution, passed at tho meeting of tho Council appointed to consider the establishing of freezing works at dauiti: “That tho Cook County ouncil bo asked to tako stops to- 1 bo appointed a Harbor Board so that Tolnga- Bay be gazetted a port in tho terms of tho Counties Act 1886.” Cr. Boland said tho idea was not to inoreaso tho rates, or for any special rates to bo charged. Until Hnitui had been proclaimed a harbor, boats could not call in for frozen mutton, mails or anything else. It was proposed to establish freezing works at tho -bay and if tho County was appointed a harbor board ' they would have control of tho wharves Tho Chairman said ho doubted if tho Council had any power under the Act. • Cr. Boland moved that tho request bo acceded to and the resolution was carried. Mr J. 'Brosnahan, contractor to tho Council, wrote stating that as ho had been unable to obtain a sufficient supply of gravel, tho river-sido contract had not been completed in tho specified time. Ho asked that tho time be extended. Tho Engineer said tho delay was not altogether on account of the scarcity of gravel. He recommended that no extension of timo be allowed, but to reconsider the application when the contract was completed. Tho Council agreed to the suggestion.

Mr It. Boyd asked for permission to removo a small quantity of gravel from the bank near tho Freezing works.

Cr. Matthews said the taking of gravel! was often a great nuisance, and a good deal of damage was often done. The matter was referred to the Engineer. Mr George Robb, carrier, through Mr Coleman, solicitor, served notice on tho Council of his intention to claim £9S, under tho Workmen Lieu and Compensation Act, due to him for work done for Messrs Abboton and McDermott, late contractors to the Council.

It was decided to accept the notice, the clerk reporting that there was a sufficient amount due to the late contractors to meet the demand. Mr G. C. Hale wrote offering to sell a pound notice hoard at Tolaga Bay to the Council for £2O. The Clerk said the board had been legally seized' from the poundkoeper and was worth only about £2 10s. It was decided not to buy tho board back. Messrs Common, Shelton. and Co Ltd., on behalf of the subscribers to tlie Ormond Road telephone, wrote stating that some years ago the subscribers obtained the. Council’s permission to erect a telephone lino on the south side of the road from the County boundary to Bruce’s store. The lino was now being over-grown by hedges and trees, and they asked the Council- to exercise such .power ■as they could to have the trees removed. i

The Chairman said some of the trees had boon trimmed some timo ago. One land holder had promised to make further alterations and these would be done. It was decided to inform Messrs Common, Shelton and Co. Ltd., that the Council would compel property owners to remove any trees that caused an obstruction to the wire.

Mr J. B. Holler reported that Mr A. Gregg would rebuild the Matawliero pound for £2B. The Engineer said a now' .pound was required.. The estimate was for labor and material. The Chairman said the pound site was not on Council property and lie was against erecting buildings until the ground was secured, either on lease or otherwise. The matter was left over for further consideration. Mr Jobu Colebert drew attention to the state of the pootpatbs in Tyndall and Huxley roads. Cr. Matthews said the footpaths wero in a bad stato, children being unable to get to school. The Engineer was instructed to attend to the work.

Mr A\ r . G. Sherratt, as agent for Mr G. M. Guthrie-Smitb, asked 1 the Council what they intended to do to form a road giving access from Mangapapa road to Mr Guthric-Smith’s property at Mangamaia. Ho was under tho impression that the road was to be formed out of loan "money. Tho Engineer reported that ho had intended to form a six foot track, but circumstances had occurred which prevented tho work being carried out. The slips on the road had hindered the work, and the best had been done under the circumstances. When the present contracts had been carried out, the whole of the loan money would bo expended, dt would not be expensive to form a bridle track "to tlie property. Cr. Kenway said a fourteen feet track; had been formed over portion of the way and was useless until the whole of the road l was completed. The Engineer said lie thought a four feet bridle track, would serve the purpose. Cr. Kenway said there was an understanding that Mr Guthrio-Smith was to have tlie track formed. The Engineer said ho thought the amount of the loan (£300) would be enough to complete the work, hut he had found the undertaking expeusive. _ Cr. Sherratt said he would 1 uiko to see a bridle track formed. Tho Chairman moved that the Engineer arrango with one of the contractors, working on Alangapapa road, to form a track to tho property. Cr. AVliite said tho setters might bo prepared- to raise another loan to form a dray track. Cr. F. Lvsnar said ho thought it would bo better to form a dray road. On the motion of Cr. Matthews it was decided to leave tho matter with the Engineer. The Chairman’s motion being •withdrawn. The Department of Public AVorks informed the Council that tho agreement entered into by them, to contribuo towards the cost of the maintenance of tho AVaikohu road and railway bridge, liad been completed, and 1 i cony of the document forwarded for the Council’s reference. Received. m , Mr A. P. Agnew, ranger at lolaga Bay, in a latter, complained that a neighbor was allowing his cattle to rttrav on the void and do considerable damage. He a.-k d what action lie could take to prevent the nuisance, and to be allowed to appoint an "assistant. " Tlie- request to appoint" .an: itisststaut was granted. ", "»••* •,! ;vfMr J. Bisset-, storckdepor,AA;aimata, on behailf of the AVaimata settlers asked the- Council to lay down metal in front of the district post office, at a cost of dbout<.£2u, -the.settlers offering to conHibttteqhaltthOn°S tho motion of tM' -Chairman' £l2 10s was voted for the iwoTlrc fed) Air G. AV. Tifferi, AA'het-UT&uy'dre.wv attention to a rough niece' oP road; at Mirgataiknpua, and 1 mskeffi -hnat it ho reformed before the winteivsets ,n Tho Engineer said about lO clvnnS, • could ho reformed at a cost or about; £49.

Cr. AW, I). Lysnar said ho knew the road was in a. bad stato. Tho soil was mostly clay. Tho Engineer said to metal the trade would cost from £BO to £IOO. It was decided to proceed with the work at a cost not exceeding £BO. The Department of Roads informal the Council that the AVaihirero quarry was under'"tho control of tho Railway Department. Tho Engineer said he had boon informed that the Railway Department intended to hand tho quarry over to the local bodies.

Cr. AV. D. iLysnnr said the Engineer shoui'd see what quality of stono was in tho quarry. Tho Engineor was instructed l to visit the quarry and report upon the size and supply of stone. Messrs Partington and Peryer made a claim for £l, for preparing tenders for -a contract which was not accoptcd, through tho Council deckling not to go on with tho work. Tho claim was allowed. . > REPORTS. ( Mr A. Parsons, poundkeoper, 'reported that fifty-seven, impoundings had been made during tho > month. — Received. Mr It. Thelwall, sanitary inspector, reported that two cases of an infectious nature had been brought from Ngatapa, station to the Gisborne hospital. Ho had visited tho station, and found that in both cases tho patients had been camping out for six weeks and had in all probability contracted the disease (enteric fever) from drinking polluted water. Since then the .camp had been broken up, and no further trouble was anticipated. A case of dinthoria had been reported l from Awapuni and tho usual disinfecting had been done. The dwelling, where the ease of scarlet fever bad occurred at Patutaju,. had boon disinfected. A case of enteric fever had. been sent from Ormond Road to tho Hospital’.. He bad examined the dwelling; but could find no anparont cause. The houso bad been disinfected and the tanks cleaned out. Tho Muhunga creek, which runs through the Ormond township was a scource of danger owing to refuse being thrown into it., and causing a menace to health. He was doing all be could to check the nuisance, but thought that heavy rain was the only remedy. Tho County Engineer reported as follows:

Contract 180, road formation Alaungamaia : Work nearly completed. Contract 182, road formation, Maungahaumia : About 43 chains nearly complete and a further 21' chains partly broken down. Contract 184, on same road : Progressing very sJiowly; about 150 chains partly completed. Contract 185, AVharekopac-Tahora : Road completed from steel bridge to Roberts’. As no provision has yet been made for maintenance, I would commend that extra, surfacemen bo employed. Contract 93, Mangatuna : Completed.

Contract 197, erection of bridges, AA’aimata : This contract is progressing steadily. Piers at No. 2 and No. 4 bridges nearly completed; all ironbark timber on tho ground and approaches being formed at the different sites. I expect the material for superstructures in a few weeks. Contract 198, Pakarao bridge: No further work lias been done since iuy last report. Contract 200, metal depots: Nearly completed. Contract 28, metalling GisborneAA T airoa-road : This--contract Is progressing somewhat slowily, 700yds delivered only. Tho total quantity required is 1000yds; full number of drays are not being regularly employed. Contract 209, metalling and ro-for-ming Motu-r,oad: Some 470yds of poor metal has been used on this contract, and the work of widening parts delayed; the contractor will bo notified to uso more despatch.

Contract 210, formation and metalling Riverside road: This work lias been very much delayed, particularly as to tlie execution of tlie formation, and unless we are favored with good weather I fear the metalling may not bo completed ; 12 _ chains are completed out of 30 chains. •Contract 213, quarrying and breaking 6tono at Gray’s quarry: Completed about 500yds. Contract 214, quarrying and breaking stone, Maraetaka: About 120yds knapped; this I propose to get carted out for repairs at once. Contract 216, repairs to metal Arai road: Completed. Contract 217, clearing drains, Patutahi and Lavenham: Completed. Contract 218, metal repairs near Gray’s, AVaiohika: Satisfactorily completed, except a few chains mar Bruce’s store.

Contract 228, metalling Mangatuna : Tho work of carting out what stono lias been broken is not being lushed on by tho contractor; lie has oeen notified to proceed with the carting. Contract 223, metalling portions of Ngatapa road: Proceeding satisfactorily. Tenders have been accepted for forming and motalling on AA’ainui inland road. Metafling near Harris’s, Gisborne-AA'airoa road. Formation part of Darwin road. As tlio road from Makaraka contract. As the road from Nuliaka towards the quarry is in a bad condition through the heavy metal carting, 1 shall at onco proceed to effect such repairs as possible from tlio depots in hand. I would also respectfully bring to tho notice of the Council that many contracts are much behind the time for completion, and while in many instances * extenuating circumstances may be urged, in other cuse6 the penalty for non-complotion should be rigidly enforced. Re Maungahaumia road : AVith reference to a complaint lodged by Mr. AV. G. Sherratt that moneys raised for road formation, Alaungahaumia, had not been expended in first making a bridle track throughout, I beg to ronort that it was my intention to carry out the work on theso (lines, hut circumstances occurred which, in my opinion, rendered it advisable to form portions -as a lafoot road. The total length requiring formation under this loan was 9J miles Tenders in the first instance wero invited for felling, clearing, and forming a 6ft track for a distance of 6 miles 13 chains, and a further contract let for felling and clearing (preparatory to formation) Bi miles. Ifio contractor for these works was unable to properly carry thorn out, and, after considerable delay, they fell back into the- Council's hands. During last winter floods and slips occurred over the formed bridle trade, and as it would have taken a considerable sum to remove them, I deeme_d it more economical to at once get rid of them by forming out tlie road to lift (the loan being raised for road formation), Two further contracts woro accepted by the Council for this work. I was, moreover, assured by

soino of tlio promotors of tho loan that it was proposed to borrow further funds to complete tho road formation, etc., ovor tlio distanco of 3J miles, which had only, been felled and cleared. Had the original proposal of Mr. Shorratt’s boon to form a bridle track throughout—and as no funds woro provided for maintenance —tho track would, in my opinion, havo boon blocked nioro or less throughout, and no permanent work executed. And while I regret that Mr. CuthrieSmitli has not at present direct access to his section, the formation of a track for the 31 miles would not ho an oxpensivo item, and as the work at present stands, ho will havo the benefit of ovor six milos of cart road running towards his property. Undor the circumstances, I consider that tlio best was dono. I may add that these works have been in progress since March, 1000. A 7 or- considerable troublo was thrown on the Council’s officers through the inability of (former contractors, to carry out the work. The road was not a county road, or even surveyed, hut was a lino adopted to givo access to certain sections leased by tlio Mangatu Trust Estnto, and the work should properly have come under tho Mangatu Road Board. The report was adopted. ■The Engineer was instructed to obtain 500yds of metal for tlio Mata--wliero salleyards road. Cr. Sherratt asked the Engineer if any gravel had been placed on tlio ' road from tlio boundary to tlio Mangapapa bridge. Tho Engineer said he would havo tlio road gravelled as soon as a supply could lie obtained. It was decided to regrade the Ormondl road near the Mangapapa bridge at a cost not exceeding £25. On the motion of Cr. McDonald, tho Engineer was instructed to place a quantity of gravol between the Matawhero Hotel and school.

Cr. McDonald reported that some gravel was needed on the road past Mr. Parker’s property, near the Makaraka racecourse, and the Engineer was instructed to have the work done. Cr. Boland moved that the Council obtain a quarry site at the junction of the Mangatuna and Alain South road, at a cost of about £lO per acre.

The motion was carried. - It was decided to havo about chains of bush on tho Panikau road felled and cleared.

Accounts amounting to £3989 0s 8d were passed (for payment. Cr. MacDonald said some timo ago somo settlors on the Laveham-road were promised a sum of £4O for repairs to tho road. Nothing had yet been done.

Tlio Enginoer said the work would cost about £BO. He did not think the work should he undertaken during tho winter months. Cr. Boland moved that the Engineer report on the cost of repairing the Tologa Bay coach road. Tho motion was "carried.

ALTERATION OF RIDING BOUNDARIES.

Cr. AY. D. Lysnar moved that tho AVaikoliu Riding bo divided into two ridings. The Council was entitled to nine seats, whereas there were now only eight; and this riding could bo divided with advantage. Tilt valuation. was the largest of any in the county, and many, difficulties would bo removed if the change was made; Cr. AA'hito said the division would not make any alteration in tho representation;

Cr. MacDonald said the AVaikohu Road Board had decided to merge into the Council and form a Town Board at Ivaraka. He would rather see the division made after tho Town Board had been formed. _ Cr. AA 7 . D. iLysnar said the alteration of boundaries would not prevent a Town Board from being formed. Tlie Chairman said lie did not think the matter could be dealt with. A '■■.mcial order would be necessary. He would like to- liavo an opinion from the ratepayers as to whether the division was desired.

Cr. White thought tlio whole question of riding boundaries should he considered at some future date. There was not time before the next elections.

Cr. Alatthews said the question was one of population. If a proposal came before tho ratepayers at any time it could he defeated by the vote of one heavily populated district. He thought it was premature to make any change. Cr. L.vsnar*s motion was carried.

Cr. Alatthews considered the motion out of order, he being of opinion that a special order was necessary. Cr. Lysnar maved that the northern portion of the riding be called AVaipawa. This was carried. MAIN ROADS. Cr. MacDonald moved that tlie following roads be main roads within the meaning of the Act: —Gisborne Coast road, to the boundary of the AA 7 aiaim County; tho road from Gisborne *to Wairoa, via Tiuiroto; the Opotiki road; and such other roads as the Council may select from time to timo.

Cr. Alatthews moved that all roads in tho County he main roads. The properties on the roads mentioned in Cr. AlacDonald’s motion would 1 have their values enhanced through being called main roads, and these roads would ho put in good order to the disadvantage of tlio smaller roads. The whole of the general rate would be needed to put three or four roads in order. The Council should have a report from the Engineer. Cr. AA’hito opposed the motion. Cr. AV. D. Lysnar said that tlie Council would not make roads out of revenue, but out of loans. The cost of maintenance of tho three roads wowkl be only about £2IOO a year, while the roads would be in a hotter condition. Cr. Kenway thought the list of main roads far too small. There were others of equal importance that should ho included. He moved that the Gisborne-AA’aimata road, the Gisborne-Morere road, the PuhaAVhatatutu road, and the AA’harekopae road from Patutahi, and the Arai Valley road, bo included. On the suggestion of Cr. AV. 4). Lysnar. the discussion was adjourned until the next meeting.