COOK COUNTY COUNCIL.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 110, 19 April 1884, Page 2

COOK COUNTY COUNCIL.

A Special Meeting of the above was held last night. Present Crs. Chambers (chairman) Westrup, Johnston, Ferris, Weston, and Gannon. The minutes of the last ordinary meeting were read and confirmed. ranger, The first business was the appointment of ranger for the County. The following persons forwarded applications for the same, with testimonials and surities: —W. Johnston, P. Burgess, A. Duglas, J. Mullooly, E. Matthews, T. W. Bilham, W. H. Cooper, W. Dixon. D. Houden, J. Hanlan, C. Lush G-. A. King, A. Peters, senr., G. Davis, W. Poulgrain, T. Daunton, R. Harper. R. Streeter, C. Christenson, C. Young, W. H. Honor. H. Harris, B. Gatley, E. P. Cowen, H. A. Downe, R. Cook, R. Ashley, E. Ward, C. Anderson, J. Fitzgerald, W. Partington, E. Harper. The Chairman asked whether it would be necessary to go into committee to decide. Cr. Johnson said they wanted a good, steady, competent man for the work; one who had a good character, who was a good rider, and knew all about brands. The Chairman said another thing they must take into consideration, that the successful applicant must have horses of his own, and also a place to keep them in. The pay was too small, and a man could not make bread and cheese out of it if he had not those things. Cr. Ferris said they wanted a man that did not liquor. The names of each of the applicants were then taken down, and the Council agreed to go into committee to discuss the matter. After about an hour’s discussion, Clause Anderson was appointed the County Ranger for the next six months.

roads and bridge’s construction act. It was agreed that the Engineer complete the works, which he thought fit, under the Roads and Bridge’s Construction Act, and to report those works at the next meeting of the Council. rates. The Chairman moved “That they give notice to strike a general rate of | in the £ for the ensuing year, as the present one (1-200th part of a penny in the £), was so miserably small.” Cr. Ferris seconded the motion which was carried. clerical aid. The Clerk asked to be allowed clericial assistance for the next fortnight, as he was behind with the work, and it was impossible for him to keep it up as it ought to be. The Chairman said, Mr. Warren had said his daughter could do the work. Mr. Warren said he thought she was competent. Cr. Gannon said that no doubt the assistance was necessary, as the work at this time of the year was very heavy. In reply to Cr. Johnson, Mr. Warren said about these four months of the year were the busiest. He thought it would take a man about twelve days to get up the back work. If his daughter were employed it would be more advantageous to him, and put the work in a fair way to prevent its ever occurring again. Then it would only be a matter of from 10s to 15s a week. He had not been near the slaughter-houses for four weeks, simply because he could not be away from the office for a whole day. He would not mind that if he could keep it up. Cr. Johnson asked what the Clerk’s salary was ? Mr. Warren: £250. Cr. Gannon thought there was something incongruous in the Clerk of the County going out to inspect slaughter-houses. That must throw him out. The Chairman said the office was closed for two days in the week—or supposed to be. Cr. Johnson thought it would suit the Ranger better to have the inspection of slaughter-houses. That would then give Mr. Warren more time. The Chairman thought Cr. Gannon’s suggestion a good one. Slaughter-house inspection might be included in his work at an increase of pay. He proposed that Mr. Warren’s daughter be employed for six months, or till their term of office expired (Nov.), at a salary of £2O for that time. Cr. Ferris seconded.

Cr. Westrup said they should satisfy themselves first, that this was really requisite. The public were very jealous about these matters, and enough had been said about salaries, and of increasing them. He thought if they were to give Mr. Warren the necessary assistance in the shape of a man for twelve days, then, at the end of that time, they could see if Mr. Warren could carry on the work by himself. Perhaps that would be better. The Chairman said the assistance was really necessary, and would have to be obtained. Cr. Westrup moved an amendment “ That clerical assistance he found for twelve days.” Cr. Gannon said he would second that, because at the end of that time they could see how things were. He agreed with the Chairman, that the work was accumulating, and he was certain that assistance was necessary. The Chairman asked what they would have to pay a man. Mr. Warren said he always had had to pay 10s. per day to a man. He thought that if everything was made up he could go along for four months without any help, but it would mean that he would have to work every day till six o’clock, and sometimes at night at home, but bo did not mind that. Cr. Johnson would support the Chairman’s motion. He thought, for several reasons, that it would come more economical to the Council and ratepayers in the end, and the work would be more satisfactorily done. The Chairman now put the amendment which was lost, the original motion being carried. patutahi road. The Chairman said Mrs. Jones came to him complaining about altering the line of road on Craill’s property at Patutahi. She said there was a creek there, and she would be prevented from getting to her house. He

told her that he would put the matter before the Council, and get the engineer to report on the matter. It was agreed that the Engineer embody that question in his next report. REPONGAERE HOAD. The Chairman said that Mr. M’Donald had spoken to him about fencing the land near the Repongaere road, and offering to do so for £lO. The Engineer was instructed to examine the fencing material and report on the same.