COOK COUNTY COUNCIL.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1103, 22 July 1882, Page 2

COOK COUNTY COUNCIL.

The regular meeeting of the Cook County Council was held on Thursday evening. There were present, J. W. Johnson (Chairman), W. Clarke, Chambers, Gannon, Ferris, Westrup, Weston, and Allanach (the recently elected member for Tologa Bay. Minutes. —The minutes of the laet meeting were read and confirmed. Outgoing Cobubspondencs. —Several letters directed by the Council to be written at last meeting were read. In reply to Cr. Westrup the Clerk stated that no reply had been received from the Government relative to the damage done by tho late floods. Incoming Cohbkseondbncb. —A letter wae read stating that the District had been proclaimed under the Babbit Act. Mr D. McLeod asked that the penalty clause in his contract for a portion of the Git-borno-Wairoa Road should not be enforced. Tho Engineer recommended that the penalty should not be enforced a. the contractor had done all he could do, but the weather interfered with him. Mr McLeod’s contracts were now completed, but not within the specified time, 61 days having in all elapsed beyond the time fixed.

It was generally considered that the case was an exceptional one.

Cr. Chambers thought that although the contractor deserved a certain amount of consideration, only a small concession should be made, viz., fourteen days on each contract. The delay was in reality tho contractor’s fault. The Engineer explained that nothing had been loft undone on Mr McLoud’s part. Cr. Clarke proposed that 43 days bo allowed. This was seconded by Cr. Weitrupp, end carried on the voices. A letter was read from Messrs J. and A. Davis relative to a hole in the Makaraka Road, opposite their store, and requesting it might be filled up. On tho motion of Cr. Weston, seconded by Mr Ferris, it was decided that the holo bo filled up with sand. Carried. A letter from A. B. Newman was read, asking for permission to erect gates on hio run, where the road from Waimata to Ngakaroa paa.od through his run. Granted, A Ictfer was road from Mr W. Morrll oo to the manner in which tho contract! on tho Glsborna-Wairoa Road wore carried out. It was resolved that Mr Morrll had better make a specific charge. A letter from Mr E. P. Joyoe wao read re« lative to moneys due to Mr Allen, for which he held an order or an authority to receive all sums due to him. The Chairman said that no money was due to Mr Allen, and the Clerk was instructed to inform Mr Joyoe of that fact. Claim fob DAuiGße,—A letter wm read from Messrs. Kenny and Finn, claiming £lO4 Ils fid for Mr 0. McDevitt for damage! sustained througtilan accident received by hie horse injuring him, through fright occasioned by the steam-engine. Some conversational discussion ensued, and it was eventually decided to place the matter in the hands of the Council's solicitors, j An application was made by Nicholas, Co., of Te Arai, for a reduction of the rote in consequence of their store having been destroyed by fire.—Or. Westrup moved that tho rate be paid in full and a fair reduction ba made at some future date.-w Cr. Gannon seconded it, and on the Chairman's casting vote it was carried.

Mr Orbell, the Inspector under the Dog Nuisance Act, reported to the Council as t’ the number of dogs destroyed and registered. The report wae considered highly satisfactory.

A lengthy report from the Engineer was then road. On the motion of Cr. Weston, seconded by Cr. Chambers, it was carried " that tho sum of £5O bo voted for clearing the Taruheru Creek.” Mr Devery complained that he had lost £2OO in trying to accommodate the public, and eould'nt see the fairness of being put to further expenses. All he would make would be about 9s 6d a week.—Tho Chairman thought the punt in good working order would pay, but he was of opinion that Mr Devery was unfortunate in his selection of working men.

Mr Devery held that he was in no way bound to work tho punt at all. It was agreed the matter should stand over until next meeting. Mangatu Roat>. —Some discussion took place as to the best way of dealing with the requirements of this road, and it was recognized that the road must be kept open. It was therefore resolved to spend an approximate amount of £3O on the work. Waikohu Road. —Repairs to culverts, etc, on this road were ordered as a temporary work.

Cr. Gannon thought that any matters~aqt urgently demanding immediate attention should, in view of the financial position of the Council, be deferred for the present. Main Roan,—The encroachment by the Hooding of the Waipaoa River, was discussed. The Engineer said he would bring forwent a report, at the next meeting of the Counoil, touching this matter. Oxenham’s Contract.— lt was stated that the delivery of gravel was commenced lqit week. The Engineer asked that day lata? might bo employed to repair th? damage by the late floods. Agreed to. Waiboa Rqad, Section 4,—Tho Engineer required the removal of the slip stuff either by day labor or contract, and would recommend that the Council assist the contractors in the work.

It was agreed that the work be done by day labor. ' WAiNVt Flat. —The Engineer roopm, mended that tho road be fMcjnod, Agreed tq. Maxgakino-Mangatp Road.— A letter from Mr Orr was read requesting payment of £6 for expenditure made by him in respect of this road.

Or. Chambers opposed the application, He 'thought it would be a bad precedent. He himself had had to shift one-end 4-half miles of fencing for the public benefit, and othen had hqd tq dq the same.— Refused, Raxgatiba Obgssimg. —ln reply to Cr. Gannon the Engineer stated that the work recently aqmni Bn oed bad been commenced in accordance with the specifications. Settlors might have desired that the work hod be e ” commenced lower down the stream, but . n was of opinion that the contractor hud soloat- ? the best spot, (certainly for himiulf), and believed, artee all, for the nubile generally, h * Tun RAlu.—lt wtjs deijded, on tqqt

of Cr. Westrup, that the rate of 5 per cent, be paid half-yearly. Tollgates.—Cr. Gannon applied to have the question of tollgates adjourned for a month. Cr. Ferris thought a fortnight was sufficient and Cr. Gannon acquiescing, it was agreed that the question be discussed at next meeting. Bbtunding Rates.—Two applicat ions were read, asking to have rates refunded, as the persons had parted with the lands. Cr. Chambers said the question was an important one, and should be settled once and for all; otherwise similar applications would crop up at every meeting. The applicants had the opportunity of objecting if they were improperly rated, and the rolls were always advertised as being on view. He proposed that the money paid by the persons making the application be not refunded. This was sconded by Cr. Westrupp. Cr, Gannon moved as an amendment that the Council should return the rates paid by the applicants. There was, however, no seconder, and the original motion was carried. The Osmond Pound. —William Currie was appointed pound-keeper at Ormond vice J. Maynard, who had resigned the position. Finance Committee.—Mr M. J. Gannon’s name was added to the Finance Committee, through Mr W. Common having resigned. £3oo,ooo.—Cr. Ferris then entered into a statistical statement, showing the growing importance of Poverty Bay. The figures quoted proved clearly that a Government measure for Harbor Works was due to the District. The Chairman replied at some length, and argued that until roads from the interior had been formed, the Government had better vote money in that direction than tor a Harbor. The one would compel the other. Cr. Ferris proposed that the following resolutions be' passed:— Thia was seconded by Cr. Westrupp. They are as follows:— (1.) That in the opinion of this Council the Government have acted with injustice in the apportionment of the three millions loan, as laid down in the Public Works Statement, with regard to thia district, and that its commercial prosperity and general importance demand some recognition in the matter of public expenditure. (2.) That this Council confidently looked to a fair share of the loan being allocated for expenditure in thia district, more especially as it had no share of the £17,000,000 already expended on public works throughout the Colony. (9.) That thia Council earnestly solicits the Government to reconsider the expenditure of the loan, and deal out to thia district some of that justice to which it is entitled, evidenced by its contributions to the revenue under every head. Cr*. Ferris, Westrupp, and Gannon were appointed a committee to draw up a statement to be sent to A. McDonald, Esq., M.H.R., and it was further resolved that ths Mayor and Borough Councillors should bo invited to co-operate.

Jbr continuation of now too 4th jpago.