COOK COUNTY COUNCIL.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 7, 10 November 1883, Page 3

COOK COUNTY COUNCIL.

T»i vvfnlsr monthly meeting of the vm h- Id at their naw offices m Lowe Street, on Thursday night last. Present—Ore Cham here (chairman), Ferris Johnson, Wettrup, AUanacti and Gannon. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. The outgoing correspondence was next read and discussed. Incoming Oorrebfondence, From Mr T. McDougall, stating that the Telethons newspaper, in its last issue stated that the Council would, at the ordinary meeting that evening, consider Mr Scott’s objection to the proposed drain through his property. That Mr Scott had not received notice of lime and place having been appointed for doing this, and claiming for him that the di** euiiion ba left over until Mr Beo’t could be informed in order that he might appear to support hii objection. The Chairman said that it wsa plain they Could not legally deal with this question at the present meeting, and could only appoint a future day for hearing the same. The 28th instant, at 2 o’clock, was appointed for hearing these objections, which, the Chairman stated occupied 8 pages of foolsesp. From Mr Reynolds with regard to an arithmetical error he had made. Cr Ferris proposed that a letter be written to Mr Reynolds informing him that through hie error the ratepayers had been put to the expenie of about £3, and that in the opinion of this council that amount should be refunded Cr Johnson moved as an amendment that the matter be allowed to pa’s over. Cr Allanach seconded.—Carried. From Mr Hamon with reference to the road through his property over the Kaiteratahi hill. Bailing the council’s attention to the j fact that by laying off the road as they proposed, they subdivided his paddock in such a manner as to leave only some 10 acres on the river side, rendering it too small and almo*t useless for stock; he, therefore, asked for £25 compensation for their doing so. The matter was postponed. From the Wairoa County Clerk, asking the Cook County Council to use their best endeavours to get the petition for a mail service between Gisborne and Wairoa generally signed. Cr Johnson thought the petition should be advertised, and by so doing signatures to the same could be obtained.

Cr Ferris thought that that would be an unnecessary expense, Cr Allanach proposed that £1 Is should bo expended in getting the petition signed. Or Ferris seconded.—Carried.

From the Under-Secretary, with regard to the boundaries of the Patutahi Licensing District, and the Aral Native District. The Clerk wai ordered to reply to the letter,

From Sir George S. Whitmore, stating that the dogs up about Tuparoa were very troublesome, ana asking the Council if they could not levy a dog tax to make the Natives keep only what dogs they wanted. The Chairman thought that they ought to make fresh application as Sir George Whitmore seemed to hold out good hopes of success.

The Council agreed to this, and the Clerk W&s instructed to have the application made through Sergeant Bullen. From Mr Sherratt, asking for a cutting through the Makarore Hill to be made. The Engineer explained that abaut 8 or 9 chains of the cutting would be on the road.’ The Chairman thought this work ought to be done, as it would open up traffic in that direction. Cr Westrup proposed that a letter be written to Mr Sheratt, informing him that they could not expend any money on the read, as they did not consider themselves justified in so doing. Cr Johnston seconded the motion.—-Car-ried. From Mr Curtis, stating that he main-

tained a butcher's cart travelling about was not legitimate trade, and giving his reasons for so doing, also asking the Council to impose a hawker’s license on the owners of butehers carts, The Chairman suggested that a letter be written to Mr Curtis, informing him that they could not stop the butchers going about in a cart. From Mr H. J. Williams, stating that there was a movement on foot at Tologa Bay. to get the pound removad Mid rec rmmendin, that it should not be done, Cr Allanach laid that since the above milting had been held, the whole matter hid dropped, Cr Ferrie thought before the Connell took action In thia matter, they should ascertain whether the meeting held at Tologa Bay was nally a representative one or not. The Clerk asked If Mr Williams' letter did not make the matter on that point, clear enough. Or Westrup said all they could decide was as to whether they would accept Mr Fidley's letter or not. Cr Chambers thought that If the outside settlers there, were not satisfied with the present pound, then they could erect another. Or Westrupp thought It would be just as well to settle the matter correctly now. Cr Johnston moved, and Cr Allanach seoonded, that a letter be written to Mr Hale, the Chairman of the meeting held, asking him for further proof that a pound in the to wn was necessary, and that the majority in the town were in favor of it, and likewise that someone was prepared to take charge of it and conduct it under the proper rules.—Carried. From M. D. Stagpoole stating that he would carry out the instructions with regard to Section 10 of the Licensing Act, 1883. From the Under-Secretary for Railways, stating that the Government would not supply the rails free. From D. Johnston junr., re auditing the accounts, From Allan Campbell, asking for £B6. Is, being passed for payment. From the Colonial Secretary's Office, stating that No. 1 to 6 of the County Connell Bye laws, with the exception of No. 1 were published in the Gazette of the sth Instant. L. M'lntosh, re J. D. Harrie's and Other property at Patutahi.

The Chairman here presented the following petition. To the Chairman and Councillors of Cook County, Gentlemen, In view of the amendment of the Roads an I Bridges Construction Act, 1883 limiting thi amount to be granted to Councils in each year to £5OOO thereby making it almost imp issible to carry out for some time to come yiur original scheme of metalling the district roads with first-class metal. XVe the ratepayers, iu and about Ormond, would respectfully request you to endeavour to get the money about to be spent in breaking up and pitching the road from the Quarry tram to 1 Irmnnd, diverted to some more important work. Tne proposed work will not, in our opinion, be of as great a benefit to the distr et generally as the formation of roads fa ther inland would. Trusting that the petition will meet with yo 'r favourair e consideration, and your j»;iiioaers will er er pray. Hera follow the signatures

He laid in presenting the petition he knew the Council hud not the money to do the work. Borne of the Ormond inhabitant# had told him that spending on a road that was always in good condition, would be throwing it awav. He would now ask the Council if they would forward this petition to Government. He should say if they could get the contract abandoned they should do so, and expend the money inland of Ormond, as the Ormond settlers wanted to be done, then more good would be reaped. The petition had come in late. He would ask the Councillors if they would forward the petition to the Government to get permission to abandon tne oon. troat ana get a fresh schedule made up. Cr Ferrw agreed with the former speaker, but was in a position to say that the Ormond settlers did not want this money diverted from thej road in question. The counter petition presented was signed by about fifty of the Ormond settlers, such as carters, storekeepers, <fcc., whom he thought were all ratepayers, Be then read the petition, which prayed that the contract might be oairied out, as the road required it. Cr Westrup said they could not call that apetition, Cr Ferris brought this petition to suit the wishes of the ratepayers. Cr Johnston supported Cr Kerns. The Road and Bridges Construction Act was very particular as to how the money waspaid, Cr Westrup thought an explanation was necessarv as to why the Council entered into this contract. In one petition it was urged that the work should be gone on with, and the other went counter to it. He asked the Chairman to listen to the Ist petition. The explanation was this, by going on with this work they deserved censure to the highest degree. He thought that nearly all the Crs imagined they would not be able to get the money to go on with the works in the schedule they had formed for 2 or 3 years, Cr Gannon noticed the same names on each petition. He thought if the ratepayers votes were taken on this matter, it would he in favor of the expenditure of the money.. He did not feel capable of giving an opinion in the matter. He was told that the money was being wasted by this work. He did not feel inclinvd to take the blame of this, if Or Westrup did. He knew that the Ormond , vote was taken before the money was obtained. They voted for this work and therefore he considered it should still be cone on with. ... .... 6 Cr Johnston proposed that the petitions be not received by the Council. In answer to Cr Wessrup, he would say that the ratepayers whe voted for it were to blame He thought the road could have been left for 2 years longer, but at that time it would have been in a very bad s»ate. As it was the ratepayers were to blame. Cr Gannon proposed as an amendment, that the petitions be checked. The Chairman thought that would be bo a waste of time. The best thing would be to let the matter drop. , The Council decided not to receive the petitions

Finance Committee, Cr Johnston said there was no meeting of the Finance Committee that afternoon, on account of there being no quorum. Engineer’s Report. To the Chairman of the Cook County Council. Sir,—l have the honor to submit the following reports for your information and guidance. , South Patutahi Quarry.— ln accordance with a resolution of your Council I have had the hills in the South Patntahi Reserve tested for stone suitable for road metal and find that there is both quality and quantity to be obtained, and the cost for quarrying 7000 cubic yards would be small, when compared with the usual expense of quarrying stone of a like nature. Thia is owing to the stone being in vertical layers, and in various thicknesses and so disintegrated that when quarried it breaks in cubes of from 6 to 2 Inches. Although the stone in this quarry is sufficiently good for road motel and only a short distance from the main Walroa road I cannot recommend that it ehohld be opened up in preference to the Northern quarry for the following reasonslst. Both quarries are equi distant from where the metal would be first laid on the road, namely 3J miles.— 2nd. The cost of laying a tramway ana the necessary appliances for procuring metal to the South quarry would he greater than the Northern quarry. 3rd. The stone in the north quarry is of undoubted quality and quantity, and could be Utilised for many purposes which the Slone in ths south quarry would not bo suitable for owing, a, previously stated, to its disintegrated nature. , L , 4th. The tram to the northern quarry would be layed for three miles along a road under the control of the Patutalii Highway Board, running through an agricultural district, and at no distant date they will require metal for forming their roads, and are more likely to avail themselves of procuring metal from this source than if the southern quarry

was opened up. sth. lam of opinion that by opening up the northern quar.-y it would be more beneficial to the whole district. Mungatu Road.—l have inspected that portion of the road which Mr Orr applied to have opened up in order to divert the traffic from passing through his private lands. I was of opinion that by making a few small cuttings that traffic could be diverted up the bed of the river, but I find upon inspection that this is not practicable, and that it would be necessary to metal the whole line of road at an estimated cost of £lBO. It will be

necessary to expend £25 or £3O on this line of road between Mr Orr’s and Mr Arthur’s homesteads before the settlers will be enabled to drag their produce into town. I would ask authority to employ day labor at once in this very necessary work, the same being scattered over several miles. It can be better performed by day labor than by contract. Waikohu Road This road between th e Kaiteratahi’crossing and Mr Hutchinson’ 1 homestead requires immediate attention. I estimate that £2O will put it in fair repair. I would ask authority to get the work done, bady. labor for similar reasons as given above

Pakirikiri Punt.—This punt has been completed and placed in position,, but can ouly be worked at full and | tide, in consequence of the approaches requiring to be lengthened and repaired,|the punt is almost useless, for when the beach can be used at (low tide) the punt cannot be worked. I will ask authority to have the necessary work carried out at a cost of £2O. Tologa Bay Punt.—Owing to a large quantity of silt being deposited on the banks of the river, it is necessary that the ap proaches be made to the punt. I estimate the cost at £lO. Contracts.—The usual contracts in. the dirict have been performed satisfactorily. I ain, &c., G. Winter, County Engineer. The Chairman said he would ask Crs. who had been up to inspect the metal at the two quarries, to speak on it. The question was whether they would get metal from the North or South quarry. Cr Gannon did not think the report (exactly what was required, though it was very favorable. In replv to Cr Gannon, the Enginner stated the’xnetal from one quarry |was about

10 fact oft the Gisborhe-Wa ro» Wad while the other was about thrtd miles from it. Cr Hannon i The question was tow—they had got £BOOO to expend on obtaining Ettel. If the metal was got from, the South quarry which eras lust off the road, they could use th The Chmrnmn said Of Gannon was wondering from the subject. They u 11 f his notice of motion. . Cr Gannon said that the Chairman himself had said that the quest ion was who the. they should gel the metal from the north or Southern quarry, or not, and on that * TlTcihmfinsn eaid tUt *as incorrect. They were diseu.sing.his hbUCe of motion. Cr Gannon persisted the otnerway. The Clerk said Cr Gannon had no>«Otte» of motion on the matter, it had been brought ° n Cr Gannon thought the Engineer’s MPor ted gone too far. It should have gone certain distance and then ■"*, should not have recommended the Counoi. to get this or that metal. „ „ „ The Chairman thought Cr G’"’ o " ’ narrowing down ths question to the three miles. , „ , Cr Johnson was glad the Southern quarry had been tested. He hoped that that metal woud be used on their road as well as only the Road Board Road, but that was no mm the question, an I he would propose that tins discussion be held over till the next meeting, in the meantime to ascertain if a company would work the metal. Why he did this was because tie had been given to understand a company wo.l’d undertake this work Cr Gannon seconded the motion He would not like to see the matter shuffled over now , Cr Westrup could not allow Cr Gannon s remarks to pass unchallenged in considering the Engineer’s report. On a former occasion the Engineer had stated that the stone at the quarry was of very good quality. The Engineer had again been asked to report, and had done so. He had given recommendations which he considered were necessary for the Council’s guidance. He agreed with the Engineer that the metal should be obtained from the Northern quarry Cr Johnstone’s motion was put and carried, being slightly amended by the latter portion being taken out Mungatu Road. The Chairman said the next question was whether £l«0 should be expended on the opening of the Mungatu Road to the Rangatira. Crs’thought it inevitable. Cr Johnson moved that the reoommendation of'the Engineer;,in" his’report with regard to this road be agreed to, Seconded by Cr Ferris, and carried. Or Gannon eaid they oonld not earry out the Engineer’s recommendation as there was a resolution to the effect Jihat no money could be paid above £5, unless by tender The Engineer said he recommended £25 being paid because he thought it was advisable, and not in opposition to any resolution of the Council. Cr Gannon said he did not mean to infer anything of the sort. Waikohu Road.

Cr Gannon said thia was the same as last. After further speaking he moved that tenders be called for this work. Cr Ferris said'the work was urgently required, and he would move that the work be done tiling for tenders. Seconded by Cr Johnson and carried. , The Chairman seconded Cr Gannon s motion, Which was lost, J the; amendment being carried. Pakibikim Pvnt. Cr Johnston proposed, and Cr Gannon seconded, that the work ba done as asked!by the Engineer, and that tenders be called for the work —Carried. TotooA Bat Pvst. The Chairman proposed that the contractor be called upon to repair the approaches to the punt, and the Council grant him £lO on account of the work. PaTMXMTS. C. p. Cohen, £3 10s i Young and Jones, £5 ; E. O'Dwyer, £5 i W. Milner, £9 18s | Brassey & Fraser, £olBs 8d ; Pitt ft Bennett, £1 6» 9d ; J. Ponsford, £55 ; Finneran, £72 15s i G Humpiffles, £1 2s 6d ; Engineer, £3l 13s Ad |W. H. Qtilnlin, £3O; Day labor, £7

14s i D. Malone. £135 ; W. E. Cross, £0 14s) Nttive, £5 iD. & M. McLeod, £O4 10s ilds J- Brown, £8) E. Devery, £4O IBs j W. Fellows, £5B 19s 2d s Young and Jones, £53 3s So s E. O’Dwyer, £BO | Native, £2 10a ! Brown and Smail, £2 fis 9d ; Quinlln, £l2 4d ; E. P. Cohen. £55 j Native, £2 14s | Petty cash, £5 ; Mr Bullen, £2 2s ; Government Printer, £1 14s s Campbell & Co., £8 l&K Gibbobni-Waiboa Road. Cr Johnson asked that the Engineer might be instructed to proceed at once to that portion of the Gisborne-Wairoa Road, which Mt Wall had fenced off, and ascertain if he had any right to do so. The Engineer explained that Mr Wall bad fenced off one of the culverts and made the road impassable. The road was token before the Government had put the land up for sale The Government had really sold a portion of the County road. The Engineer was instructed to proceed at once and see into the matter. Habbob Boabd. Cr Gannon atked what about the Harbor Board. The Borough Council was really the Harbor Board, and they should not have the sole power of dealing with property. Look at the foreshore ; they had the sole power of dealing with it, and the Council has nothing to do with it. He argued that the Harbor I Board should not only be represented by the town, but by the whole district, and that the Chairman of the County Ooum-il should act on the Board. Whilst speaking thus he did not mean anything derogatory to the members of the Borough Council. Some further discussion took place, but nothing of importance was done. Dog Coliabs. The following tenders for the above wer» next opened. G. Maher, at Is 3d per collar ; M. Hall and G. Primp >s», at la «$d ; WMorgan, at Is 5d ; H. Bruce, at Is 4d ; P. Malone, at Is 3d. Cr Johnson proposed, and Cr dl’anach seconded, that Mr Malone’s tender be accepted. Carried. Requirements bob Council. Cr Johnston proposed that with regard to an outshed, the Library and Borough Council be naked to go shares in its erection. The Chairman proposed that L3O be expended in furnishing the rooms, but after discussion it was agreed that Mr Warren give them an estimated amount of what it would cost to have the room f urnished. Noticb of Motion. The Chairman gave in the following notice of motion—" That at its next meeting the Council takes into its consideration the advisability of advertising through the Colony for tenders to lay down a permanent tramway from the town boundary to the : Patutahi Quarry, offering to tenderers the Isolo right of hanlago of metal, roads, and passengers, at rates for a term of years. The Council rose at 1 a.m.