COOK COUNTY COUNCIL.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1356, 15 September 1883, Page 2

COOK COUNTY COUNCIL.

Thb usual monthly meeting of the Council was held on Thursday night last at the Council chambers. Present: Mr W. K. Chambers (in the chair,) Crs. Gannon, Clarke, Johnston, Westrup, Allanach, Ferris, and Weston. Pakirikiri Punt, Extension of time was granted to the contractor, Mr W. Fellows, for the completion of the punt. Incoming Correspondence. From C. Gray and P. Barker, re the Gisborne-Waimata road, asking the Council to repair a certain portion of it. Cr Gannon said the road was at present impassable. He thought the Council ought to give a promise that money would be spent on it out of that obtained under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act. Cr Ferris endorsed Crs Gannon’s statement as he had seen the road lately. He would support anything being done fur the formation of the road. It would prove of benefit to the County.

The Engineer said a comprehensive scheme of drainage would be required. He considered the cost for doing the same would cost about £5O, that was if thiee culverts were constructed. Cr Ferris proposed that £5O be expended on the road, and such sum to be charged as against any money from the Government. Cr Westrup said he would second the motion, which was carried. Letter from Chas. Evans Secretary Te Aral Road Board, re appointment of Ranger at that district. Cr Chambers suggested that a Ranger be should be appointed. After further discussion it was decided to let the matter stand over. From Mr J. O. Barnard, re the Natives refusing to carry out tbe contracts on Tuparoa road. Telegram from Mr A. M‘Donald in reference to the rails. From C. Evans, re account for clearing the Arai bridge. From Messrs J. & A. Davis, asking that something might be done towards filling in the hole in front of their premises. Cr Weston moved that the Council see that this be attended to at once. The same to be done by contract. Cr Westrupp seconded. Cr Ferris suggested as an amendment that the matter be left till the next meeting. Cr Clarke seconded. On the amendment being put it was lost, and the original motion was carried. From A. M‘Donald re River’s Bill stating that it could not be brought on, on account of the short time occupied by Parliament. Deputation, From A. Kempthorne and A. Knight, re drain cut through Scott’s property. Letters from Mr Scott, objecting to the drain being m-de through his property. From I. D- McDougal, giving notice for the Council to withdraw their workmnn in forming the drain, and from Messrs Brassey and Fraser, stating that the Council could not proceed with the work. Cr Chambers stated that after the receipt of the foregoing, he went with the Engineer to inspect this work, it was then decided that the Engineer take the levels on the other lines, and report on them at the meeting. The Engineer then read his report, and also laid a plan on the table < f the work. Cr Johnston said he was very sorry to make the following proposition, but they had made a mistake in not consulting Mr Scott, on the matter befure proceeding. He proposed “ That the works on this drain be suspended until the possession of the land could legally be obtained under the Public Works Act.” Cr Chambers pointed out that when he went to see the drain, it was also decided to abandon the contract, and give the men £l5 each. If the work was continued, fresh tenders would have to be called. Cr Gannon did not understand the motion. He was glad the contractors had been settled with, as the Council was in their hands entirely. No doubt the Council had made a mess of this work. He thought it better to let the ma’ ter stand over until they agree among themselves, where they wouid decide to take the drain. Cr Westrup moved, andCr Ferris seconded that they take the line from peg sto the letter “ D ” in the plan on the table. Cr Gannon considered that if the Council did take the land under the Public Works Act, then Mr Scott could proceed, and contend that the drain could bo taken in the opposite direction. Cr Chambers said that Mr Scott had stated i hat if the drain was taken in the other direction, and it did not answer the purpose, he would then pay for it out of his own pocket. Cr Gannon did not think there was sufficient difference between the motion and amendment. Cr Westrup withdrew his amendment on Cr Johnston making his motion read “ That the outlay drain from C to 1) on the Engineer’s plan, be suspended till such time as i hey take possession under the Public Works Act. Cr Gannon would not second the motion, Cr Clarke did.—Carried.

Deputation from Borough Council. A deputation from the Borough Council, consisting of Messis E. K. Brown and Townley, re Oxenham’s contract, now arrived. Borough Cr Brown said—At the last meeting of the Borough Council the question of penalty re Oxenham’s contract was brought on. Mr Graham had carried out the contract with great loss The Borough Council had recognised his lusses, and decided among themselves to remit the penalty, and had also further decided before doing anything definite to consult the County Council, as they were • o find a portion of the money for the contract, and see if they would be disposed to let the question of penalty lipso. Cr Ferris quite endorsed what the speaker had just said. Mr Graham was not the real contractor, but a surety, and as such had carried the contra< t out very well. He felt he would be doing no injustice to himself or the ratepayers in remitting the penalty. Cr Gannon seconded all that. Cr Chambers also endorsed what had been said by Mr Brown, but as a matter of principle he thought a certain sum of £l9 ss, which the Council had been forced to pay in the case of McDevitt, who had sued in the Police Court for damages from the engine, should be deducted from the penalty. Cr Weston suggested ns an amendment that no part, of the penalty be enforced, and nothing be deducted from it. Cr Allanach seconded. Cr Ferris said he would withdraw his proportion in p avor of the amendment. Cr Gannon thought that tne amendment was the real proposition. Cr Ferris said he would again propose that the whole of the penalty be remitted without deducting anything. Seconded by Ci Weston. Cr Chamber’s amendment “ That the penalty be remitted, less the sum of £l9 5s obtained from them in the R. VI Court,” was lost, and the original motion of Cr Ferris was carried. His Worship asked the Council to take steps to take over the lines. It was decided to let the matter stand over till the Engineer could report on the same. The deputation then left.

Deputation to Borough Council. Cr Ferris said the deputation appointed to wait on the Borough Council re metal from the Patutahi quarry, had done so the result of which he considered was very favorable, at least from what he could gather. They stated they had applied to the Government under the Road’s and Bridge’s Construction Act, for a certain sum to get metal from the Kaiti, and they had made a half promise that if they could get any for obtaining metal from the Patutahi quarry they would help us all they could. They seemed to think with them, that it was the best metal. Taking all in all he thought the deputation was well received. Cr Gannon thought it had been received with a fair amount of politeness and that was all. They gave no pledge whatever. The conclusion he arrived at was that they could not do anything like this for some years. Cr Westrupp said he understood that a committee of them was to be appointed to meet & committee of this Council and go fully into the matter. The discussion then ceased. Financial Committee. Cr Johnston said the committee had not met, on account of their being no quorum. Hares. Cr Ferris moved that hares be not introduced, and that this Council recommends tojthe Acclimatisation Society the objection taken by them to their introduction. A letter was read from Mr S. Stevens, M.H.R., which said that hares did not do any injury to speak of. Cr Westrupp stated that the newly formed Coursing Club had sent to Christchurch for 200 couple, but they were not to be obtained. Cr Johnston thought that it was out of the province of the Council. Cr Gannon seconded Cr Ferris’ proposition Cr Weston moved, and Cr Clarke seconded, that this Council takes no part in the introduction of them by objecting or otherwise. A letter was read from Mr M‘Lean saying that the hares up Auckland way were not destructive. The only nuisance that had been experienced was “ That they were hard on field carrots.” The amendment was put and carried. The Inspector’s report, and a report from Mr F. Arthur Dog Registrar, were next read. The discussion on the foregoing was decided to stand over till next meeting. Report. Reports were read from Mr Warren, Slaughter-house Inspector and Dog Registrar the consideration of which was held over;— Gisborne, 13th Sept., 1883. Sir, I have the honor to report for your information on the conduct of the slaughterhouses, pounds and dog registrars, during the period commencing January 20th, 1883 Slaughter-houses—The houses are kept clean, and since the stringent measures instituted in reference to Mr Aislabie’s uld place at Makaraka have been enforced, the yards and appurtenances are much better than last year. The houses with one exception, are too small for the work to be done, and in no case is any provision made for the drainage matter, the sites being the worst that could be chosen for such a trade. In two instances the drainage falls into shallow pools, and in these pigs are allowed to roam, causing great offence to their neighbors, and must of necessity be injurious to health. These matters have been pointed out to the several keepers, but the matter has ended in promises to abate the nuisance. I consider the present system of private slaughter-houses one (Concluded on page 1.)