COOK COUNTY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2366, 5 December 1908, Page 5

COOK COUNTY.

WORKS AND FINANCE.

At the meeting of the Cook County Council yesterday, the Engineer (Mr. r)oG. Fraser) reported as follows: Contract 254, Gray's Hill, metal repairs: The contractors have made a dart with this work; shingle being jbtaiued from Waerenga-a-liika. Contract 253, quarrying and knapping stone. Waimata: Tenders were called for this work, and by your instructions the acceptance or otherwise would be decided by the Council at this meeting. . Contract 250, supplying broken stone Wairoa-Gisborne road: Ln hand. . , , , Contract 249, collecting and breaking boulders, Waimata : Good progress is being made with this work, some 150yds having been got out and oartlv knapped. ‘ Contract- 248, shingle for repairs Middle road: In hand, four drays being employed. , Contract 247, supplying metal depots: In hand. . Contract 247, formation and metaliim Waipaoa river road: Completed; formation to the extent of 43] chains ha'- been undertaken, but the amount voted lias only been sufficient to metal some six or seven chains. Contract 245, metalling back road, Whataupoko: The contractor has opened up a pit on Mr. Clayton s prone rty, the metal is fine and of # poor quality, but the best available, and will. I think, he sufficient to meet th<> light traffic on this road. Contract 244. metalling, etc., Hauiti: A start was made with this work on the 18th ult. % and its progress is satisfactory. The only metal to be obtained is a fairly bard V npa rock, which, when blinded, will improve the wet flats. Contract 241, road machines: Three, nre employed in various parts of the district and excellent work is being lone in rounding up and draining the clnv roads. Contract 240, metalling Arai-Toko-jui road: WcTl in hand. Contract 237, formation • Branson s road: Completed satisfactorily.. Contract 236, formation and metalling Waiuui sandhills: Contract; completed from a grant made by the Council. We have, however, not yet received the Government grant of £4OO allocated lor this road, and which would complete the whole section.

Contract 235, quarrying and knapping stone for Aroha Road Board: Nearly completed. Contract 232, formation Waihuka Valley: Satisfactorily completed; a number of slips on a previous contract are being cleared, when the road will be open throughout; a Government grant of £4OO is also due on this road.

Tenders have been called for a traffic bridge at Mangalieia-Tologa district. to close December 18, as I understand from the County Clerk that funds are available. _ Tenders will also be before you this way for formation of 9ft track. 92 chains, Rotorua stock track.

The Health Inspector reported that a case of typhoid had occurred at Patutahi; the disease was supposed to have been contracted while bathing in the Patutahi creek. Complaints had also been made of a drain near the creamery at Waereu-ga-a-liika.— T!u> report was received.

It was decided not to accept a tender for placing metal on the Waimata Road. Two tenders were received for cutting a stock track on Steele's road. Mr. Steele said that he would tallow m amount of £2OO due to him by the Council to be used for the purpose and refunded to him when the county was in funds.

Cr. Lysuar urged that the tenders be deal t- with, and said that, as Mr. Steele was prepared to finance the cost the work should be gone on with at once.

Cr. Holden said the present stato of the county finance would not warrant the expenditure. The rates collected in the district were only a, small amount. Cr. White said the question was whether the Council could undertake anv new works. 'The Chairman said that he had stated that he would not- vote for any expenditure on new works and could not go back on his word. Cr. White moved that the tenders be not received, and the motion was carried. The Council then went into committee on the question of finance for the current year. The Engineer was instructed to confer with the Clerk as to what amount of money would be available for maintenance during tlio year, and to prepare estimates accordingly. Cr. Matthews moved that the whole Council bo appointed a committee to report upon the administration of tlio amount of maintenance for each riding. The motion was carried. Upon resuming on. open Council, the following readjustment of salaries was made : —Clerical assistance from £156 to £56; to dispense with one of the county overseers;tlic ranger from £52 to £lO per year, and driving fees. A total saving *of £358 pep annum. Cr. White gave notice of motion to move that the proposed tramway bo extended to To Aral, or, in the alter native, To Arai be struck out of the loan area. The Clerk was instructed to advertise the meeting places to place the debuts of_ the loan before the ratepayers.. The accounts were passed for pay* merit-and the Council adjourned.