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Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 952, 11 June 1881, Page 2

The Cook County Council seldom meets but that some of the accumulated work has to be held over altogether, or be hurried through while the members are too drowsy, or disinclined to work as they would desire. So it was on Thursday last. The Council does not meet until after dinner in the evening, and the consequence is that the real busines does not come before it until a late hour. Part of Friday, therefore, was occupied in clearing away the arrears. In this view' it is not surprising that Cr. Porter has at last, tabled a motion to the effect that in future the Council meet twice a month in lieu of once. This should have been done before, as it will irritate the country members into opposing a motion at this time of year which they might have assented to in the summer. With regard to the projected Rivers Bill, it was resolved that returns be

asked for from the General Government, and the Cook County Engineer respectively, showing the lands and roads in the County that are liable to flooding. Mr. A. Y. Ross asked that a Committee might be appointed by the Council, before whom he could make a “ very serious charge,” about someone. Mr. Ross, also, said he had saved the County £240 in the discovery of an error in the measurement of the gravel gauge sticks. Members acknowledged Mr. Ross had been a very good servant, and thought he had done his duty in making the discovery. As, however, his proposed charges wmuld require to be definite, they would be heard when made. It was agreed that Mr A. McDonald should be urged to make forcible representations to the Government re the Wairoa Road Grant, and other local requirements. The Council was also of opinion that Native lands should be rated. Residents at the lower parts of the Big River may or may not be rejoiced to know 7 that the Karawa pound is to be removed half a mile nearer to Pakirikiri, if they desire it. Mr. Hurrey made a formal claim of particulars relative to losses and damages alleged to have been sustained by him —amounting to £692 —during the currency of the main road contract. The claim, after considerable discussion, was not entertained, but upon what appeared to be a generally admitted understanding that a law suit will follow 7 .

A pushing firm at Invercargill — Messrs. Stevens and Co. —made a spontaneous offer to the Council to bore any where in the County (and we suppose in the Borough) for mineral or oil (and possibly for water) upon the system of “no cure—no pay.” Their offer is not accompanied with even a hint as to what the price is likely to be ; but they attach an inviting condition that they are prepared to bore w'ith tubing from Bin. to 17in. in diameter to a depth of 1000 feet, and if there is no “find” (“ not successful ” is the exact term used), or if obstruction is caused so as to prevent the depth of 1000 feet being obtained —■ they charge nothing. With such an offer before it, it is a pity the Council saw fit to shelve it for further consideration. Did the Council meet often, or transact business during business hours, much valuable work might be got through. The Council would not entertain Mr. Preece’s recommendation that a ferry at the Waiapu River. Cr. Porter and the Engineer said they had travelled that road for many years, and never had occasion to require a ferry. Mr. Milner was suggested as Returning Officer, for the Waiapu Riding, in the place of Mr. Brown, resigned. In reply to a recommendation from the Poverty BayHighw'ay Board, that the road from Waerenga-a-hika to Ripongaeri be supervised by the County, the Council decided that it had its hands quite full enough already, and declined. A general rate of Is was struck, and made payable in tw r o instalments —namely on the Ist. August, and the 31st of December next. In regard to the Waimata bridge, it was resolved that the promise made to Mr. Rees to give £l5OO towards its erection was not placed on the estimates for the current year, as the funds would not admit of it being done, and it was expressed stated that any application made for that sum could not be entertained at present.