COOK COUNTY COUNCIL.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 1014, 20 December 1881, Page 3

COOK COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Council took place on Friday night last. Present: Crs. Johnson (Chairman), Weston, Gannon, Ferris,Westrup, and Clark. A long discussion took place on the question of valuation for the County, arising out of a correspondence between the County Clerk and Messrs. Hesketh and Richmond. Some doubt having existed as to whether Counties could make separate valuation rates from those of Road Boards, it eventually transpired that the Appeal Court had settled the question, in upholding Judge Richmond’s opinion on a case submitted to him some time since by the Hutt County Council, which was in effect that County Councils cannot enforce or levy a rate unless made upon the valuation of Highway Boards or local Boards, in accordance with the provisions of Sect. 107 Counties Act 1876. Counties are not allowed to make valuation rolls where local bodies co-exist. Ferris proposed, and Cr.Westrup seconded, “ That the valuation of the Road Boards in Road districts be accepted for this year; that a valuator be appointed, and that circulars be sent to the Chairmen of Highway Districts requesting the favor of their valuation lists.” Carried. The perennial Oxenham contract grows green in both the Councils. On the present occasion the Engineer satisfied Councillors that the contractor was moving along expeditiJL petition was received from outlying settlers praying that-the road from Muhunga bridge to K*iteratahi

hill be metalled. The Clerk was instructed to acknowledge the petition and to explain that the County has no funds in hand for the purpose prayed for. It was decided that the cutting at Scott’s Crossing be done at once. The subject of the £7,000 loan was ordered to stand over for consideration at next meeting. In the meantime the Engineer is to prepare a schedule of the work:’ on which it is proposed to spend the loan. The future terms on which poundkeepers are to hold their pounds are, that they get half the poundage fees, and the Council the other half; and that the net proceeds of sales, &c., are to be handed over to the County Treasurer. Mr Brassey was empowered to draw agreement, with usual penalties, to that effect. Cr. Gannon made a stand in favor of an exemption of fees paid for sheep dogs, urging that shepheards who used their own dogs in their business should not be called upon to pay the tax, but Cr. Clark carried an amendment that the fees remain as at present. The application of Mr Bousfield for the appointment of valuator, for £3O, was approved. Cr. Weston carried his motion that the tenders for the Mangatu Road be not opened, basing his abjection that the Council had no money, and it would be useless. Cr. Ferris seconded, suggesting that the work should be included in the schedule under the proposed loan. The tenders were accordingly returned to the tenderers unopened. A vote of £lO to meet necessary repairs on the Mangatu road was passed. The tender of the Poverty Bay Herald for printing and advertising was accepted. On the proposition of Cr. Westrup, seconded by Cr. Ferris, it was resolved “ That the Council permit Oxenham to extend the present tramway to Ormond ; that the contract be also extended to the 30th Sept., 1882 ; that this Council will purchase about 8,000 yards of gravel from the new site at Is. per yard advance on present contract price. The Borough Council to bear the expense of the additional line to Ormond.” The Council will meet on Thursday evening next.