COOK COUNTY COUNCIL.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 127, 9 May 1884, Page 2

COOK COUNTY COUNCIL.

The usual ordinary meeting of the above Council was held in the Council Chambers last night. Present: —Crs. Chambers (in the chair), Johnson, Westrup, Ferris, and Stewart. . The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed, and the outgoing correspondence read. incoming correspondence. The first communication read was from the Property Tax Department re roll for the Native lands of the county, and stating that they had been translated into the Maori language ; from the Survey Office, enclosing duplicate tracing of the roads to be opened under the Public Works Act., &c.; from the Survey Office explaining the definition of the words “ Gisborne-Wairoa ” as contained in the schedule of main roads; from Mr. Large, of Wairoa, as follows :— “ I beg respectfully to urge upon the consideration of your Council the great desirability of taking immediate steps to have that portion of the Gisborne-Wairoa road between the Waihau lakes and Te Reinga laid off on the permanent grades and formed as a dray road as soon as possible. I would remind you that the road in question is already open for wheel traffic from here to the Waihau lakes, and that portion from Wairoa to Te Reinga is also nearly completed. The formation, therefore, of the intervening distance between the latter place and the Waihau lakes—about six miles—would complete this important thoroughfare from end to end as a dray road. The carrying out of this work would be a great aid to the settlement of a large area of back country now tying idle for want of proper means of access. It is generally understood that when the inland road is completed as a dray road no difficulty will be experienced in obtaining a weekly mail service between Gisborne and Wairoa, which by bringing these two entres of the East Coast electorate into direct communication, would be a great benefit to beth communities, and particularly to settlers living on or adjacent to the line of road.” The Chairman thought this a very important matter, and some action should be taken. Cr. Johnson thought Government should be asked to place a sum on the estimates for the purpose of completing the work. The Chairman said that was evidently all they could do. In seconding the motion, Cr. Ferris said he thought it would be advisable to ask the Wairoa Council to act in concert with them. The Engineer said Mr. Barnard, the Government Surveyor, had, some time since, asked the Government to place a sum on the estimates for the work, but nothing had come of it at present. The proposition of Cr. Johnston was then put and carried. The next communication was from Messis. Hunt and White, contractors, as follows:— “ In response to your advertisement, we have the honor to request you to give us all information relative to the railway to Ormond. We may say that we are railway contractors, and are just finishing the second section of the Thames-Waikato railway from Hamilton to Te Aroha, 26 miles. We have plant and everything in working order ready to do your railway. If you have plans of sections we should like tracings ; if not, please say whether the contractors will be required to do their own survey.” The next was from Mr. R. Kay, asking permission to remove 200 yards of shingle from the Ormond river bed. Cr. Johnson — Moved that leave be granted so far as the County Council was concerned. At the same time they ought to be very careful as it was doubtful what powers they had to grant such a request. The motion was carried. Three letters were now read relating to the Pakirikiri Ferry, the first from S. Roe resigning the care of the punt; the second from J. Niven and Christian, offering to take the ferry over for a subsidy of £1 per week, and the third from Maher, offering to put the same in repair for £25. Cr. Ferris—This ferry appears to be our white elephant. The Chairman wished to know whether any councillor could propose anything in this matter. Cr. Johnson was certain the ferry could be made a good paying concern if it was only put into good working order, and would be worth fully £5O a year to the Council. The approaches must be put into good repair before anything could be done. The punt had got such a bad name that it was difficult to get any one to work it. As things were at present, he strongly objected to the Council giving 255. a week to a man just to see that the-punt did not run away. (Laughter). He remembered upon one occasion the old one brought in as much as £8 or £9 in one day, but that was an exception circumstance. (Cr. Ferris : I should think so). The punt should be moved lower down and then it would answer, but it never would where it was at present. He would propose that P. Maher’s tender be accepted for repairing the approaches, and when those were completed that the ferry be thrown open for tender. Cr. Ferris must object to this motion as Cr. Johnson had stated that the punt could not pcssibly pay where it is, and if that was the case it would only be a waste of £25 to repair the approaches. Cr. Stewart was of the same opinion, and would o.ppose the outlay. Cr. Johnson having entered into further explanation, and Cr. Ferris having seconded the motion, it was put and carried. deputation. On the following letter having been read, several gentlemen were introduced as a deputation, and amongst them Major Ropata:— Gentlemen, —This is a request that you send a surveyor to lay off the road by Pakiakanni from Waiapu to Te Kawakawa. Send the surveyoi* in May that the work may be immediately gone on with, as that part of it is a very bad state for travellers. Let the

surveyor come direct to us, and please grant this request. —From your friends, Paora, Ttihaeki, and Others. Cr. Ferris interpreting, Major Ropata said this was the only road in Waiapu which was not surveyed. If this was done the natives would form it. Ho wished this to be done at once. The Chairman informed the Major that he would have to communicate with Government about this matter. The Council had already done so, and had no power to act except under the Public Works Act. Majoi* Ropata replied that all he knew in the matter was the County Council. The natives knew no one else to apply to. The Chairman said the letter would be forwarded to Government, with the Council’s recommendation urging the Government’s attention to the question. Ropata—Yes, you will urge the Government and then— The Chairman—The Council can do no more than this.

Ropata—Let it be clearly understood that there will be no trouble about this road like there has been with the others. At the suggestion of the Chairman the Major agreed to draw up and forward a petition on the subject. From Charles Abbott, contractor, as follows :—“ On behalf of a company with whom I am connected, I desire to obtain the full particulars, and conditions, relative to making the Cook County Council Gisborne Railway. I shall be glad therefore if you will be kind enough to furnish me with the undermentioned particulars so as to enable me to make up a tender, and as one of my partners is shortly leaving Dunedin, it will be a favor if you will use as much expedition in sending the information as possible. 1. What is the nature of the cor itry the line goes through. Nature of cuttings. Rock or clay, light or heavy. 2. Length of line to be made. 3. How constructed. If similar to the Government lines. 4. Have you plans and specifications. 5. Is it for formation and permanent way complete, including buildings, stations, etc. 6. What is the probable cost of line. 7. When is the line to be finished. 8. What interest will be allowed on capital received. 9. When and how is the capital to be repaid.” An application from Mr. Evans for certain tools and gear for the preservation of the Arai Bridge was acceeded to. balance sheet. The annual balance sheet was then laid on the table and passed. On the motion of 'Cr. Johnson it was resolved that the Chairman of the Council exercise the Government vote for Crown Lands. engineers report. I have the honor to submit the following report for your information and guidai'o3:— Contracts.— The usual contracts in hand are being pushed on in a satisfactory manner. Main Road, Patutahi.— Owing to a deviation of the main road through this section it leaves a very small frontage for the present occupier, Mrs. Williams, and as the old line of road is reserved so as to give access to the section, I would recommend that a cutting be made Bft. on the solid, at a cost of £l5. Pakirikiri Ferry.— Mr. Roe, who at last meeting agreed to work this punt for twelve months, has given it up, and cleared out without sending any notice to this office. In order to keep the service open I have engaged a man at 255. per week, until such time as your Council decide what shall be done in the matter. It will cost about £25 to put the approaches in repair. Gravel.— The gravel is being supplied from the Repongaere ford and deposited in depot along the main road, is not as good as that formerly taken from the beach, but it is the best procurable. Tenders.-—I would ask authority to call for tenders for deepening about 40 chains of side drains on the main road between Mr. Newman’s and Mr. McDougall’s properties, Ormond, and cutting an outlet drain down the by-road near Mr, W. Cooper’s; there is not sufficient fall to carry off the water unless this work be undertaken. I would ask your Council to appoint a day for opening tenders for the Waimata works. I hope to have tenders in for some of the East Coast road works by next meeting. On the motion of Cr. Ferris £l5 was granted to make the cutting at Patutahi on the main road, as requested by Mrs. Williams. It was decided to call for tenders for the cutting of the outlet drain at Ormond. Cr. Smart moved that the Engineer receive some assistance in the works on the East Coast road, as the winter was rapidly approaching. Cr. Ferris seconded. Carried. PAYMENTS. T. W. Bilham, £2 25.; F. J. Piesse, £2 25.; J. H. Wilson, £2 2s. ; P. E. Richardson, £2 25.; C. C. Lambert, £2 2s. ; Brassey and Fraser, £3 95.; E. P. Paviour, £1 Ils ;W. King, £23 10s.; advertising Railway Scheme, £8; Porter and Croft, £l6 10s. ;T. Jones, £1 Bs. ; M. McKinlay, £1 165.; Hickey, £l6 10s.; Taylor, £25 ; D. Malone, £Bl 10s. ; D. Malone, £63 10s.; W. S. Cross, £8 165.; D. Quinn, £54 10s.; E. O’Dwyer, £2; Winter O’Dwyer, £93 165.; M. McLeod, £55; Engineer’s labor, £ll 35.; Cooper and party, £25 10s; salaries, £54 3s. 4d. ; Maher, £4; A. Johnston, £3 -Is. ; J. Townley, £l3 9s. OUTLET DRAIN. Cr. Westrupp said that the outlet drain at Makauri was not large enough to carry off all the water there. The Engineer said the drain required widening. He was authorised to carry out the work. By-law 7 to regulate traffic on bridges was confirmed. It was agreed to take the piece of road from M. Donald at Waerenga-a-hika as requested by him. TURANGANUI HIGHWAY BOARD. Cr. Stuart mentioned that an election of two new members of the Turanganui Highway Board took place yesterday, which was afterwards found to be informal. He now asked the Council to make the matter right, which power they had under a certain Act. After discussion the Chairman pointed out to Cr. Stuart that they would have to appoint a returning officer, and go through the forms of the Local Elections’ Act.

SCHEDULE OF WORKS FOR THE ENSUING YEAR Schedule of proposed necessary works to be carried out by the Cook County Council during the year ’B4 and ’B5, out of ordinary revenue. Gisborne-Opotiki Road. Repairing road with river gravel. Town boundary to Kaiteratahi, 900 chains, 900 cubic yards ... £1660 Kaiteratahi to Scott’sßridge. 40chains new formation and gravelling the same 180 Repairs with gravel 80 Widening 420 chains to 20 feet ... 1100 Culverts, £5O ; levelling 3 miles, £720 770 Forming 25 chains of road, re deviation Kaiteratahi 150 Deepening 40 chains of side drains and cu-ting ou-lec .. .. .. 50 Mangatu Road. Forming and gravelling 368 chains, and cutting 668 chains of side drains and clearing .. .. 1,689 Wajmata Road. Cutting drains, fascining and repairs 250 East Coast Road. Improving and repairing .. .. 1000 Gisborne-Wairoa Road. Repairs with gravel 223 chains, 2000 cubic yards.. .. .. .. 250 Draining and forming 3 miles, to foot of hills.. .. .. .. 550 Repairs and maintainance to Waihau 200 Waerenga-a-hika to Repongaere Ford. Draining, forming, and gravelling 50 chains 175 Gisborne-Wairoa Road via Mdhia. Repairs with gravel Waipaoa to Arai Bridge .. .. .. .. 125 Fascining roadway .. .. .. 60 Arai Bridge to Pakirikiri formation Drains and repairs .. .. 250 Pakirikiri to County boundary .. 50 Day labor and Engineer’s staff, &c.,.. 2)0 Schedule of works under the Roads and Bridges Construction /Vet : — Bridges. Ari Bridge (destroyed by flood) ~ £l6OO Turanganui Bridge .. .. .. 1000 Roads. Balance of monies in former applications not granted. Gisborne-Wairoa Road.. .. ..£2259 Patutahi, t'ia Cast, to Mahia .. .. 4590