COOK COUNTY COUNCIL.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 16, 1 December 1883, Page 3

COOK COUNTY COUNCIL.

(Continued from our last.) On resuming at 7 o’clo k, Mr. Kempthorne said, in reply to the Chairman, that, he was totally unprepared to state any objections to th« proposed drain. He had not employed a solicitor, and therefore had no advice on the matter. He had no objection to the drain being taken over his land at present, but he should like to know his exact position, and would like to consult a solicitor. He understood from Mr. Warren that the objections would be advertised, and he was waiting for that before he took any steps. He was quite willing to meet Mr. So »tt on fair grounds. He objected to the land being drained into the lagoon, as it would be going too far to throw all the drainage into his property. Mr. Jones the owner of some adjoining property, suggested that all parties should agree to cut a drain about 9 feet deep into the lagoon. The Chairman wished to know if any other Counciilers wished to speak on the subject. Cr. Ferris would like to hear what their Engineer had to say on the matter. The Engineer eaid that he could not do better than read his report, which the counsel had already seen, and which had been published. He here read the report. The only other remark he could make was with reference to the bank falling away. He still maintained that even providing the spouting could be lengthened to prevent the banks being carried aw«y, it was quite unnecessary to fascine the banks outside the outlet. At the same time the water is running out of the drain, the tide in the liver would be rising, and therefore, water would spill into water, and no ground work would be washed away at all. A flood-gate could be erected in the drain, which would be sufficient to keep out the flood-tide from the river. The cost of a flood-gate would be some £25 or £3O. He still recommended the Council cutting this proposed drain, as it was in every way more advantageous than the other. An outlet drain would be no good unless it had a great fall, which it would not have. It would also be too expensive, Mr. Kempthorue said, Mr. Knight had stated that if the creek to the lagoon were cleared it would be necessary to fence it. Mr. McDougall asked the Engineer several questions concerning his schedule affixed to his report, which he (the Engineer) satisfactorily answered. Mr. Reynolds spoke as to the estimates given by him and by the County Engineer for this work, explaining how there was such a large difference between the two, the County Engineer having included more works than he had. The Council now resolved itself into committee to discuss the matter, and all parties interested took their departure. Cr. Johnston said there had been a long discussion on this subject, and the matter had, he thought, been carefully dealt with. The three points in his mind to be considered were, that they must not do any injury to private persons if possible, they must not go into greater expense than necessary, and they must do the best and cheapest work that was open to them. He was of opinion that the drain through Mr. Stott’s property was a very good one, but they must be chary so as not if possible to injure private persons. The drain might be cut through Mr. Kempthorne’s, but great trouble might arise from so doing. The third plan was to take the drain down the road, which he thought was the best. The Council could decide whether it should be open with a fence, or covered in with pipes. He would propose :—That the outlet drain on Scott’s road be taken to the crossing known as Scott’s ford, and that the outlet be not taken either by the proposed line to the river or through Pukepapa to Kempthorne’s Lagoon,

Cr, Ferris would second that proposition pro forma. The Chairman would like Councillors to say whether it would be advisable to take the drain through Pukepapa. If the Council decided otherwise he should say that the proposed drain would be the one to carry out. He was of opinion that the present scheme was the best one to stick to.

Cr Weston was in favor of taking the drain along the road and piping it. Cr. Westrup said from what he had heard of the objections to the scheme of the Engineer, he was inclined to think it the best after all. Cr. Gannon w’as in favor of Cr. Johnson’s motion, with the amendment he would propose. Thia was rather a complicated matter. The Council should avoid litigation as much as possible. He did not know whether he was in error in saying that the gentlemen of the legal profession would do their best to to make a good thing out of it, if they did go to law. Councillors : No,

Cr. Gaunon ; If the Council did go to law, they certainly might win the case, but they stood a very good chance of losing more than they would win. He considered Mr. Scott’s offer was genuine, but he did not think they could accept it, as it was only given verbally, and was not on paper. As he hud said the offer was genuine, but in verbal agreements there was always fear of misunderstandings arising. Their not having a written offer was no reason why he was not in favor of the drain going down to Pukepapa. He suggested that where the ground was uneven the drain could in some places be left open without pipes, and rails could be put up to stop cattle, etc., from getting into it. That could be done at, say, a distance of about five feet. This would he thought, make a difference of some £«0. Cr. Ferris couid not see the object of keeping the drain open, as they had money for it under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act.

Cr. Gannon was not aware of that. The Clerk stated that they only had £lO2 for draii □.

Cr. Clarke thought Cr. Johnston’s motion a very good one. The Chairman had gone over the western line, and he should say that it was an absurd thing to carry the line of drain that way. He was glad to see the Council come to the decision they had, though there was a chance of Mr. Scott bringing an action against them. In any case he supposed they would have to till the drains in, which would cost £8 or £lO. He thought a letter should be written to Mr. Scott asking him if he would take further action in the matter. Cr. Milner thought Cr. Johnstone’s motion was the best. The motion was now put to the meeting and carried, only Cr. Westrup voting against it. Cr. Ferris moved, “That Mr. Scott be informed at once of the decision of the Council, and be asked if he would take further action in the matter or no. Cr. Gannon said they should not ask him anything about it. it ne intended to take action, then let him do so. Cr. Johnston agreed with Cr. Gannon and thought that the matter should stand as it was. RE KA IT ERATAHI ROAD. Wi Ji regard to the claim of £25 sent in by Mr. Hammond, as compensation f<»r closing the road over Kaiteratahi Hill and opening another partly on his property, the Clerk said he had Mr. Hammond, who had said that any arrangements the Council made he would abide by. TOLOGA BAY ROAD. I Cr. Milner drew the Council’s attention to

the state of the above road, which was extremely bad, and in some places almost impassable. He further pointed out a great many places that required looking into. Gr. Gannon thought the remarks of the last speaker were deserving of attention. As that district paid about the largest amount of rates, he considered the road should be attended to. He moved that the Engineer be instructed to see to the work and report on it at as early a date as possible. Cr. Johnston seconded.—Carried, SAT ARIES.

Cr. Johnston moved that the question of salaries be discussed at the next general meeting.—Agreed to.

A letter was here received from Mr. Scott, setting forth his offer previously mentioned, in writing, but which was too late to be considered.

The Clerk gave in his estimate of what the furniture required for the new offices would cost. Cr. Johnston moved that the question of furniture be left in the hands of Crs, Ferris and Gannon. This was decided on. GRAVELLING MAIN ROAD.

Cr. Weston moved that tenders be called for gravelling the road from Read’s gate to Makaraka.

It was decided to get the Engineer to give an estimate of the work. Council rose at 9.15.