COOK COUNTY COUNCIL.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1302, 31 March 1883, Page 2

COOK COUNTY COUNCIL.

A special meeting of the Council was held on Thursday evening, 29th inst. Present—Crs. Ferris, Johnson, Gannon, Clark, and Weston. Cr. Ferris was voted to the chair. Subsequent to the last meeting held, the following letter was received from the department of Minister for Public Works, as follows :— Sir, —I am directed by the Minister for Public Works to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 26th ult., forwarding an amended schedule of works proposed to be constructed with the grant under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act, and in reply I am to inform you that the Minister agrees to the Council’s proposition on condition that the Act is first complied with. A Government Engineer or Inspector will report on the work when done.—l am, etc,, C. AV. Kenyon, Assistant Under-Secretary. A deputation consisting of His Worship the Mayor and Cr, Townley from the Borough Council, waited on the County Council with a view to obtain a re-considcration of the question of support towards the construction of a bridge over the Turanganui River. The Mayor reviewing in detail the immense advantages that would be conferred upon the entire district, most earnestly solicited the co-operation of the Council, pointing out that the advantages accruing would be more directly felt by the County Council, that the Borough Council would necessarily loose their present Ferry returns. That unles they had some definite promise of support from the Council, (as six weeks of the time allotted for the acceptance of the grant of £l5OO had passed by,) they would bo insufficiently prepared to meet the ratepayers of the Borough, and most probably the vote would lapse. Cr. Townley : The Borough Council mortly supported the statements made by the Mayor pointing ot the injurious result of allowing the vote of £1,500, granted, to fall through. The Chairman here called attention to the By-law No. 11, on the County Council, clause 98, in reference to the reconsideration of this matter, and stated that, as it appeared to him, the question had been disposed of at an original meeting. He would prefer to hear some discussion on that point before further proceedures, The by-law referred to rendering the Council powerless to act. He would personally be most willing to assist in the furtherance of the Borough Council’s petition, considering tne great importance of the work proposed, and would be glad to receive any suggestion framed to meet the difficulty that would be in accordance with the bylaws of the Council, so that the reconsideration of the question could bo proceeded with.

Cr, Gannon stated that the clause referred to would have no bearing. That independant of the original resolution for £lOOO, the Council wore not prevented from entertaining any fresh resolution. That there were many ways it might be dealt with ; it was really a most important work, that the lands coastways were fast being opened up, works going on, sheep constantly passing, additional rating power would be added, and it would be a matter for extreme regret if some help was not afforded, so that the Borough Council’s application might be entertained. It appeared to him that if the County Council were to guarantee a payment of say £250 a year from date of commencement of work, and that the two Councils co-operating in a petition that the matter might be arranged. He would suggest that the Council undertake to pay one-fourth of the cost of the erection of the Turanganui Bridge, out of the general rates. Payments to extend over four years, and that the Cook County Council appeal to the Government, under the “ Roads and Bridges Construction Act,” for the necessary monies to erect the same. At the same time it should be understood that the tolls, ultimately desirable as a revenue, should be equally partitioned. Cr. Weston considered that though he himself with the rest of the Council, were desirous to see this work put in hand, still they could only promise, they had no funds, and it would be unwise to specially bind themselves ; in fact the wherewith was “not in hand.” The Chairman then read the by-law and clause referred to, stating that if Cr, Gannon made a proposition to revoke the original resolution, they might possibly proceed to act, Cr. Gannon said that he was sure if the Chairman carefully read the clause, he would see that the meeting were empowered to proceed. That this was quite a different resolution, and that they were perfectly correct in entertaining it. He would ask the Councillors if this resolution, viz., “That the sum to be accorded the Borough, extend over four years,” was at all a resolution of a previous meeting ? The Chairman explained that the motion or resolution was, in substance, the same, but he would second it pro forma. Cr. Johnson said he was as anxious as any one to see the bridge erected, but thkt the Council could not in justice make themselves liable for more than their term of office. He was well aware that the majority of the Council would not agree to distinctly pledge themselves, ami so become personally liable. Cr. Gannon was somewhat led astray by bis excessive anxiety to secure this for the Borough, but that his vote (and he had no doubt the rest would be the same) would be distinctly against pledging themselves. He wished earnestly to see the bridge in progress, but could see no right for Councillors to saddle themselves personally for the

money : it wou’i.l Ifri potter to Wait iniJl i Uoitncila to ajiply. Takirig the wliolb matter Into, eal’ncst consideration, life would movh--“That tlfis Council canhot depart /rqtn its usual rules after the decision at last meeting,” This resolution‘ being seconded by Cr. Clark, was put to the meeting and carried. The deputation then withdrew, Proposed by Cr. Gannon, and seconded by Cr. Johnson, “ The the Engineer be instructed to prepare the necessary plans and specifications for the works sanctioned by the Government under the Roads and Bridges Act, and also that the Clerk be instructed to take the necessary steps under the Act for taking a poll of the ratepayers, The question of the further loan of the train rails was brought forward. The Mayor having requested early Information on this point) it was decided to give notice to all Cotuicilidts that the rjuestidn of extending the time of Iban of tram will come on for discussion at next meeting, The next meeting night was then arranged for a fortnight hehce, At that meeting Cr. Gannon will move—- “ That the annual salary of the Engineer be fixed.” The Clerk was then instructed to write to the Borough Council re the tram rails ; as also, to Mr Fitzgerald, of Tologa, offering him the situation of Deputy Collector Dog TaX.

The business concluded, and the Council rose at 10.15 p.m,