WAIKOHU COUNTY COUNCIL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 3978, 10 July 1915, Page 3

WAIKOHU COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Wai,kolm County Council ivas held yesterday. There were present: Crs. L. B. Tullock, C. Gaukrodgor, 11. J. Peacocke, Abbotsford Smith, A. A. Fraser. In the absence of the chairman (C'r. Cyril White), owing to indisposition, Cr. Tullock was voted to the chair. CORRESPONDENCE. H. Ogden wrote, applying for a billiard room license in connection with premises ho proposed erecting at the site of, the new freezing works at Waipaoa. It was intended to instal two tables and to run an ‘.uu-to-date general l store in connection with the same, under the style of H. Ogdon and Co. References as to character was supplied by the lley. E. Ward and Mr W. F. Flatten. Cr Pcacocke said it would be time to consider the granting of the license when the population was there to warrant it. Cr Gaukrodgor agreed with this view, Holding that the application was much before its time.

The Chairman said that the applicants wanted to get on with the buildings. By the time these v ere erected there would be a population there._ It. was decided to recommend the applicant to renew 'll is application when the population of the place warranted the issuing of a license. A communication was received from the Gisborne Chamber of Commerce -asking the Council to endorse a proposal that a provision should be insetted in, all contracts of local bodies that all* goods and materials shall be of British or British-Colonial manufacture.

It was decided to suoport the principle. Mr H. E. Hill, cleric of the Mangapapa Town Board, wrote suggesting a conference between members of the various local bodies .with a view to determining what proportion the Borough Council, Cook County Council, and Waikolui ••County Council should contribute towards the maintenance of tiie main road through Mangapapa and the read to. the Gisborne Hospital, through the Maugapapa town District.

It was decided to reply that tin'Council could not see its way to assist towards the maintenance of the roads in the Maugapapa Town Board's district.

Messrs Roes Bros, and Bright, solicitor, wrote, on behalf of Mr \V. Gardner, applying to have a portion of the road reserve in Section 1, Block IX., closed, and sold to Mr Gardner, so that the station homestead, which had been erected on the road reserve by mistake, might be vested in him. Cr Smith said it was public knowledge to the residents in the district that the buildings had been erected on ttie roadline. The Engineer said that the legal position would have to be looked into, to see whether the Council had power to dispose of a road reserve vested Hi it. Mr 11. E. Bright, solicitor, waited upon the Council, and explained the plan and position. They asked the Council to ctese the road, and sell the portion on which Air Gardner’s buildings were to him. The Chairman explained that the matter had been referred to the Engineer and the Council's solicitors, and would come up again at next meeting. Cr Smith said that before disposing of any of their reserves they should consider the housing of their road men. Cr Gaukrodgor suggested that- the Engineer should inspect the locality, and import on the matter. He moved to this effect. Cr Smith seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr J. Gardner, Hihiroroa, wrote, stating that he would be pleased d the Council would get the boundaries of their reserve at Wharekopac defined, and assess the area of land which Air G. C. "Williamson had to pay for. He stated that lie wished to fence along a portion of the new road, and would like the survey of same to bo put in hand as early as possible, so that he could erect his fences on tinproper tine. The matter was left to the Engineer to deal with.

MrC. F. Bramlby, Rakauroa, wrote, regarding tile account received from tlio Council for £3 3s royalty on 21 strainers supposed to have been cuton the County road. 'He admitted that five of the strainers were on the road, but the tree they were cut- from was overhanging the road, and weald have cost the Council more to clear off the road than the royalty charged. The others were on his property. He could not find the pegs, so measured 36ft on either side of the centre and took everything outside that distance. If the County Engineer found that the strainers were really on the road, lie would be quite willing to pay royalty, though he considered the 3s" eacii charged was exorbitant, the market value of strainers in Gisborne being 10s each. Splitting cost 2s 6d, cartage 2s Gd, trucking and railage about Is, so that if he added the 3s royalty he would receive the sum of Is per strainer for his trouble. Or Smith said the. trees were on the road all right. One tree had been felled when the road was being formed. If the strainers were left on the road, lie (Cr Smith) would guarantee to find a purchaser for them at 3s Gd royalty. The timber was good totara, which’ was- getting very scarce, and was, therefore, very valuable. It was decided to reply that the account must be paid. "Messrs Nolan and Sheet, solicitors, forwarded certificates authorising the issue of licenses to the following poisons in respect of the hotels mentioned • Alex. S. Can It on, Motii Hotel, Walter J. Forrest, Oil Springs Hotel ; and Alby H. Airoy, Eangatira Motel. Messrs Morton and. Wade, liakaiiroa, wrote drawing attention to the neglected condition of the road in their part of the riding, and asked the Council to have the. matter attended to. ~ The matter was referred to urn Engineer. . ~ „ Mr J. Brown waited upon the Council and complained that the road near his place required draining. Hm Council’s workmen, he said, had been tinkering about, simply playing m the mud and wasting the ratepayers money. He asked that the Engineer might inspect the locality. The speaker also complained that lie had been boycotted in the matter of ieeeiving employment from the Council. T-Ie would like the Engineer to come along, and he would point out disabilities he complained oi. He wanted the water tables cleaned out to allow the water to run off into the creek. Another thing he wished to brino- before them was that he was the oldest ratepayer in the Council, having paid rates since 1881. He had written to the Council recently soliciting work, but had received no replvr He complained that men haci been employed to do work, and they had had to come to him to employ his teams. He contended that he had been boycotted, and asked the Council to give him a lair run. ~ “6h, you’ll got a fair run, Chum, remarked the Chairman. Cr Gaitkrodger said that M r Brown had a grievance against the Council because he was not given work to do. The Council left the choosing of workmen to its Overseer, and were giudecl by'their judgment. , • , ' The deputation, which had been loquacious and outspoken, left with an expression of hope that the new 'engineer would give him a ffair run. Mr C. B. Campbell waited upon the Council regarding the proposed new riding. He pointed out that the Council had declined to declare the proposed riding, as the area was too small. They had made an amended boundary bringing in the whole of the Wailmka block and from the Otoko railway station down. The amended

area comprised 150,000 acres. They had seen nearly every on.o of the ratepayers, and all had agreed to'come in. He had been unable to seo Mr E. M. Hutchinson, who was absent in Gpotiki, but lie felt sure that that gentleman would agree. They would much rather have kept to the original proposal. Air Campbell was informed that Councillors would look into the matter in the meantime, and consider it at next meeting. ENGINEER’S REPORT.

The County Engineer, Air F. C. Hay, Assoc. M. Inst, 0.15., reported: Alotu Riding.— Contract No. IG9, Bell and Sons, metalling Richardson’s to Alotu: The total work done on J une 30th under this contract amounts to 1700 cubic yards of metal' carted on to road. The contract is about two-thirds complete and should be finished within six weeks. The quality of the metal is fair. —Binding Richardson’s to Alotu: No prices which call bo recommended for acceptance have been received for this work. The matter might be left in abeyance for three months. —Bridge near the J unction: This timber beam bridge has been renewed at a cost of £22. — Road maintenance: An extra surfaceman has been put on the Alotu front road near the summit as the road cannot be kept in repair with the present staff.

Alangtttu Riding.—Kaitara Road: The following work requires to be done on this road (1) Two narrow banks require widening, (2) _ a sharp curve at head of gully requires easing, (3) a culvert requires outlet. Re (3) an outlet drain 4 chains long through Native land would connect this culvert with a small gully and give efficient drainage. I recommend that the occupier of this land be written to and asked to give permission for drain to.be cut. The whole of the above work can be done with money now standing to the credit of the FTilia loan account. —Maintenance: An extra surfaceman has been put on the Mangntu road to got the road in shape and effect certain improvements in the way of widening, etc. A new groyne is required m tho Alangatu River to save the toe of. the road from erosion and is now being constructed. Repairs are urgently required to abutment pier, Alangatu Bridge, which is bulging out under excessive earth pressure. Ngatapa Riding: Matthews’ Road at Here: This road has been inspected and instructions given as to the work required to be done before the Council can take over the road.-—Gisborne-Rotorua stock track: In connection with Air Judd's application re the widening of this track. Lbe track at present is only lit for pack horses: it can he made lit for trolleys by an expenditure averaging 10s per chain. About six miles of this stock track have been previously widened and there is now required about another six miles to complete the work up to the Hangaroa River, giving an outlet per trolley to Messrs Judd and White. —Mutuera Road: This work is!hold up owing to the balance to the credit of tho grant being insufficient to complete the work. An extra £IOO has been applied for. —Roberts’ Bridge : This work is held up as tenders received were higher than the amount available.

j Kan'.ka Riding.—Cleaning drains: I A contract has boon let for cleaning oul main drain from Northe's shop to \Y. (Liod’s section/ - at rate of Its JUKI per chain and work is in progress.— .Mi tailing To Karaka to Kaitaratahi, contract No. 174: This contract, has been completed—a total of 948 cubic yards of gravel having been spread over 77 chains of road. Teams. —The grader party is at work forming Motu front road at Pouiutu and metalling same. One team is metalling, on the Puha-W hatatutu Road assisted by two hired teams. Cr Fraser asked if the contractor was putting the best quality metal on the Motii Road, from Richardson’s to Motu? The Engineer replied that lie had visited the contract twice, and could assure the Council that they were getting the best metal possible out o’ the quarry. It was decided to offer the timber to the Mutawai School Committee, as suggested by the Engineer. It was agreed that the Engineer should interview Mr C. E. Armstrong. District Engineer, regarding- amo wo.! plans for Roberts' Bridge. 'With regard to the Engineer s request to be informed what the Oouncl considered a fair minimum ware foi its employees. Cr Smith pointed' out that the Conni il had already entered into an agremout to pay a minimum wage oi H’s per day. Cr Peaeocke said the Council had a' ready passed a resolution fix.ng he minimum wage at 10s per day. He thought, they would have to \ y ne wage, according to where the men were living. The Engineer said that men would not he content with two different rates. They would either have to give all their workmen houses, or else charge those who had them rent. Cr Smith said he understood that rho Council had no power to deduct rent. The Clbrk pointed out that they Mere exempt from the award. After a desultory discussion, it was decided, on the motion of Cr Gaukrodgor, to hold a special meeting of the Council on August 12 to go into the matter fully. REte’lG NATION OF COUNTY CLERK. Mr George Warren tendered Ins resignation as Clerk to the Council, asking to be relieved of his position by September 1. He recommended that Mr J. CL Appleton should be promoted to fill the vacancy. Cr Smith said they all regretted that Mr Warren had seen lit to leave them, and all hoped he was going to better himself. Mr Eraser also regretted that Mr Warren was leaving then}, and hoped he was going to better himself. Cr Peaeocke said that Mr Warren had been clerk to the Council since its inception, and had been a very valuable servant. He moved that the Council place on record its high sense of appreciation of the valuable soliices which Mr Warren had rendered to the Council. Or Caukrodger also spoke in veil high terms of Mr Warren, and pointed out that lie had only had one month’s holiday in six years. Ho moved that Mr Warren’s resignation be accepted with regret. Air Peaeocke seconded the motion, •which was carried. . f _ Mr Warren thanked members 1- r their kind remarks. Ho said he hoped lie was taking the right course; anyhow, -lie felt confident he was. CASH STATEMENT. The foliowing statement of general account was presented: —Dr. kawuice forward, £1738 Hs 3d. Collected. Pees and lines .Cl los, hotel licenses Waipaoa River grant £2 10s, Armstrong .Road grant. £46 ids 9d< Puha-Vfhatatutu grant £129 10s fid, c l„.r tax £l7 13s Od, sale of goods £jo 10s, pounds C 1 5 His ICd, general rate 1914-15 £sl 12s Id, interest £l9 5s 4u, general rate 1913-14 £ll 2s 9d general rate 1912-13 £7 15s Id - £390 2s yd j grand total £1348 9s Id. Required to-day on general account £llß9 <■>» 2d. ‘Balance Dr. £2537 14s Accounts amounting to £l3O/ Jos 2(1 wore passed for payment, £36 13s 6cl boinsr for separate accounts, 5s 2d for general account, and £3J 14s 6d for advances. The following advances u-ere shown as outstanding: Pului windmill £37 19s lOd, .Ngatapa No. 3 £1 ts 3d, Motuhora quarrv £59 18s Sd, Karaka footpaths £l7 lf»s, Wliarekopae metalling £S9 10s 3d, Kanaktinia loan £2149 12s 4d, Rakauroa loan £23 io 17s sd, Koranga grant £149 18s Gd, Mangatu metal grant £lB2 10s lOd, Motii to Junction grant- £333 8s 9d, Mangamaia No. 4 £lO4-1 Is Id. Mutnera grant £57 3s 9d, Roberts Bridge £35 11s 3d, Te Hau loan £6, Makaretn loan £l2 03: total £5,603 14s 94.

G ENERA L BPS IX ESS. At tlie instance of Cr. Smith it was decided to have the roadmen’s '•otiagcs at Matawai and Rakauroa pointed, and t-o supply the roadmen on T he Rakauroa-Tahora with a light jack for \ shifting logs. j Cr. Smith said he would like the j Engineer to report, on the Moainii j road. A settler had been felling tim- j ber, which had dammed the creek, and j if a Hood came along it would serious- j ly damage the road. j It was decided that the Engineer , should report on the matter. j Cr. Peaeocke stated that Te Jva- j raka-Puha road was in a very had i state, and lie asked that the Engineer i should report upon it. Cr. Peaeocke also mentioned the i Lavenham road, which he said was in \ ,a deplorable state. 'l'his was a mostimportant road, as if stock could not : get. through they had to travel all the j way round by the Big Bridge. The Engineer was instructed to re- ; port on the road _j On the motion of Cr. Peaeocke. see- ; on clod by Cr. Caukrodger, it was de- • cided that in future inouiries should ; he made before purchasing, and wher- ; ever possible all orders should oe . placed within the county. j Cr. Smith brought up the ouestiou of the damage done in winter through stock being grazed on the roads. He stated -that the roadman at Otoko ; was empowered to impound stock. hut j lie did not think this Mas a satisl'ae- j tory arrangement. He would like to j see a travelling ranger unpointed, and j a pound instituted somewhere on the : Otoko road, where the nuisance was ! particularly had. ! .——l™- j