COOK COUNTY COUNCIL.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 945, 18 July 1903, Page 3

COOK COUNTY COUNCIL.

.The monthly meeting of the above was held yesterday, there being present : The Chairman (Capt. Tucker) and Crs L. Clayton, C. Wiiite, A. F. Matthews, R. .Sherratt, C. Gray, E. Richardson, and J. A. Harding. TOLAGO BAY RIDING.

Mr W. F. Somerville, Chairman of the Tolago Bay branch of the Farmers’ Union, wrote forwarding the following resolution, passed at a meeting on the 13th inst. :, That this meeting deprecates the granting of extended leave of absence to' our representative ,in the County Council, which action of the Council coupled with the prolonged leave of absence granted last year to our member, has left this riding for large portions of the year practically unrepresented.” It was considered by the branch that in all fairness to this Riding, if at any time its representative should require leave of absence for a prolonged period, the interests of the ratepayers should be protected by the seat being made vacant and a fresh election called for. The Council were requested to consider the suggestion, with a view to its being carried into effect should occasion require. Cr Harding : It seems as if the Tolago people have no confidence in other members of the Council. The Chairman : If we had known the sentiments of the people, we could have considered the matter

when leave of absence was applied

Cr White : They, have the ‘'best road in the County, and they, should not have any grievance. The, Chairman: It is customary when a member applies for reasonable leave that it be given him, provided that in his absence he gets some other Councillor to look after the interests of his riding. Cr Matthews considered the riding would be treated more generously in the absence of the representative. Cr Harding thought that everything had been done ;• the plans' for the bridge were .under way. Cr White was of opinion that .Tolago Bay riding was getting precedence in everything as it was. Cr Harding was surprised, at the, action, as he had paid a visit to Tolago recently, and told the settlers there that he; would bo pleased to do what they required.:

DAY LABOR.

The Tiniroto branch of the Farmers’ Union forwarded the follow-

ing resolution : ‘‘ That the County Council be asked in future to spend all grants for roads in this riding by contract and not by day labor.” It was decided to inform the Union that' it was the custom, to do the work by contract. PATUTAHI ROAD BOARD.

The Patutahi Road Board,wrote applying for JBllos, an amount promised by the Council for the metalling of the road at jhe junction of Wairoa and Kirkpatrick’s road. Received.

■ The Board also expressed regret at the decision of the Council not to recoup the Board for keeping the quarry road in repairs during the last season. When .the quarry was first vested in the Board the County Counoil from that time to the date of levy of royalty recognised that as the road was, damaged every year by their stone contracts that the Board was entitled to some consideration, and made yearly grants for repairs. This view the Council apparently did not entertain, but the Board thought the Counoil would on further consideration see that the Board, whioh acted on Mr DobbieV request, should not now be punished by the refusal of 1 the Council to pay the cost incurred. The road notbeing aotually vested in the Council at the time the last season’s stone was carted over it should, the Roard thought, be no bar to the Council paying for cost of repairs. Tho Clerk stated some small grants wero made in the past to the Board. The Engineer stated for the past few years thexounoil had repaired the road. He did not think it was on behalf of the Council that Mr Dob’oie had acted. After considerable discussion it was decided not to reoognise the claim, Crs Sherratt and Clayton alone voting in favor of it.

POUPARAE DRAIN.

The Chief Engineer wrote re Pouparae drains, stating that a report had been received from the district road engineer at Napier, but owing to money being required for many other more, urgent works, the Minister did not see his way to provide anything bn the Estimates for the

drains in question. The Chairman : That means they will go on injuring people by pouring the water on them.

Cr Clayton (satirically): Mr Hursthouse’s visit seems to have done us a lot of good. Cr White : I suppose he has his hands tied like others. BRIDGING THE TARUHERU.

The Borough Council wrote asking for the services of the County Engineer tojprepare a rough plan and'estimates of a suitable bridge over the river, near Boebuok road, Gisborne, and Wi Pare street, Whataupoko. The Chairman said the Borough Council thought the bridge would be of benefit to county people, , ‘ ■ : The Engineer stated he could undertake v the work if it were not wanted shortly. / The request was granted. •

TELEPHONE TO KAITARATAHI. The Post and Telegraph Department wrote re the Council's willingness to entor into a guarantee on account of telephonic communication to Kaitaratahi. Provided Parliament votedan amount on the Estimates to cover the cost of construction, a line to Kaitaratahi would be erected on the Council signing a bond to make good for fivo.years an estimated annual deficiency of ilO from the connection. The .Clerk stated the £lO from the contributors had not come forward. The Chairman said oftcourse the settlors Would have to enter into a bond with the Counoil in connection with their request for telephonic communication. ' GATES ON ROADS.

Au application was received-from Mr L. Saxby to erect a gato on the Waimata road. A counter petition was received from Messrs Tiffen (2), and W. D. and J. Ly Thokpplication was declined, but the Council agreed that they would not take proceedings against Mr Saxby if the gate were erected.

GISBORNE-OPOTIKI ROAD.

Mr McMillan, District Engineer, Napier, | wrote regarding the GisboroeQpotiki road, intimating that the Council declined to accept the responsibility of a further section of that road until it is metalled and all slips oleared. . The Department pointed out that in the matter of local bodies taking over the con-' trol of roads constructed by the Government there seems to be an impression that it must be done by a proclamation [ duly gazetted. He had given instructions to have the slips removed, but regretted to state that the chance of metatalling the portion in question was a remote one. The Chairman said that the Counou would havo to make the best of the posiiion, and take over the rpad. BRIDGING THE TJAWA.

The Chief EDgineor of Hoads wired : “ The question of erecting Uawa bridge will he submitted to Cabinet for consideration to-day, Will let you know result as soon as possible,' ' A letter from the same stated that the authority was issued on the understanding that the work of .survey would be carried out by the Council at its own expense. Tho grant of £2OO authorised for expenditure by'the Council could not be expended on tho survey, as moneys issued to local bodies were to be used on works of construetion, etc., only, and not on surveys, engineering, etc, The Clerk stated no intimation had been received as to the Cabinet’s decision. The Chairman said that when it was pointed out that the £2OO could not be expended on the road without a survey, and the survey would take almost that amount, Mr. Hurathouso had stated he Would send a man to do the survey. - Cra Clayton and Riohardson confirmed

the Chairman’s recollection of Mr Hursthouse’s promise, ' Cr Clayton said a flying survey had been made. , The Engineer estimated the cost of the survey would be £2O a mile for the eight miles. ' , , Cr Clayton said the Government seemed to be obstructing the Council, and it was a piece of injustice the way the Council had been humbugged about the grant. It was decided to ask the Department if they would pay the grant and allow the Council to defray the expenses of the survey or undertake the survey them selves,

MANGATU ROAD,

A resolution was passed authorisirig th raising of a special loan of £250 for the Mangatu road, the rate to he £d in the £.

NOXIOUS WEEDS.

A petition was received from Tolago Bay settlers asking that gorse be declared a noxious weed. —The application was refused.

ENGINEER’S REPORT. The Engineer, Mr D. G. Frases, re' ported as follows : Contract 51: Murewai-Mabia road.—

Formation satisfactorily completed. The whole of the Government grants for this road have now been expended, Contruct 08: Formation and metalling Wainui

road. —This contract is proceeding satisfactorily ; about 18 chains of formation has been completed and 11 chains clayed, a.lso about eight chains metalled and balance of stone broken to complete

metalling.- Contract 70: Waimata ford deviation.—This road will probably be completed during next week, the heaviest portion of the work being nearly finished. The favorable weather so far has materially assisted in the maintaining of the roadsWith regard to the Waimata road, I would like to make a few remarks. In a

leading article in the Gisborne Times of tho 15th inst., this road has been selected as being “ the worst road in the district, and that something must be radically wrong when the settlers are content to sit down and leave things in their present; condition.” The Times then proceeds to state that practically nothing has been done since the expenditure of the £6OOO loan. I would respectfully point out to the Council th'ot while the road is not by any means as good as I would wish, still so far from nothing having been done since the expenditure of the loan, only the Bummer before last a sum of £660 was expended in improvements, by metalling a number of short sections of tho road which were considered particularly bad; also this year a further sum of £290 has been j expended in improvements, lifting and breaking 130 chains of boulders. These amounts are quite irrespective of the ordinary maintenance labor. Unfortunately we have many other roads in far worse order. The present condition of the road is as follows: The section from Nock’s store to H. Kenway’s is in very fair condition throughout From H. Kenway’s towards Partridge’s the road is bad in 'places where not metalled—that is to say pretty deep mud and a few holes, which are being attended to, From Partridge’s to Akroyd’s the road is in good order, with exception of a short piece near the factory, which after rain becomes heavy, but dries almost immediately. From Akcoyd’s past Martin’s the road where not metalled ia heavy, and requires extra draining. Taking the 12 miles from Nook's to Akroyd’s there would not be altogether 40 chains of really bad road. It cannot be expected that where the roads are unmetailed they 1 would,be fit for wheel traffic, for although we have had a good season the shady places do not have a ohanoe of drying. I may also state that I have been informed by one of the old settlers that the road generally is in better order than it had been in any previous winter. It was inspected by me on Tuesday, after the last heavy rain. Complaints have been made of persons running stock (dairy cows) on the road south of Wharerata. lam informed that one settler has as many as 8 or 10 turned regularly on to the road. As this section is one that requires a considerable amount of maintenance, it .would be as well if the ranger could pay the locality a visit. With regard to the - Wharekopae loan works, I am having the surveyed lines , traced out, and find that it is probable that considerable portions will have to be deviated to obtain,satisfactory: grades. I propose next week proceeding with the levels and locating the. permanent line. The plans then will be proceeded with in due course and tenders called for the works. On the Mangatu Valley road'the Government party lately engaged has discontinued work, having cleared a track, with side cuttings, as far as Hegarty’s south boundary. I' therefore propose to expend any money available in continuing a cart track towards Martin's, who is the last settler interested in this loan. TAHORA-HANGAROA ROAD,

Cr Clayton said the settlers of the Tahora Block desired to raise a special loan of £4OOO to make a road into their property. They wanted the Council to proceed to get legislation in order to rate themselves.

Cr Clayton introduced Mr Steele, one of the settlers of Tahora, to the meeting. Mr Steele said he would answer questions in regard' to the application. The Tahora Block was native land, and they required speoial legislation in order that they might rate themselves. The Chairman said they might rely on the Council’s assistance, as. it was their motto to help, those_ who helped themselves. t , * , '

Mr Steele said the settlers had enough security. There was plenty of good country in the block, and if it was roaded would be sold without any difficulty! It was thought that when the new Board was set up there would have been no difficulty in getting the block roaded, but they found that they were in the same position as before.

Or Clayton suggested that the matter should be placed before the Native Minister.

Cr Matthews thought the Council could do a lot. in urging the. Government to open up Crown lands in that district. They should pass a resolution to that effect. The following resolution was adopted ;;

“ That this Council desires to bring under the notice of tho Government the necessity for some amendment of the law, so that persons desirous of forming a special rating district for the purpose of raising a loan to be expended in roading might be be able to do so.” • - It was also decided to write to Mr Carroll on the subject.

MANGATUNA PETITION.

Mr Andrew Reeves, Uawa, Tolago Bay, wrote in reference to tie Mangatuna petition for a road to Mangatokerau, that he desired to withdraw his signature, as he gave it on the understanding that the Mangatokerau property should be altered from hearing a rate on a few hundred pounds to £ISOO, which would reduce his rate to a few shillings a year. He was not aware at the time that the Mangatokerau property could be altered, and he objected to any wore‘rates being put upon his property, as he was heavily rated now. He paid £76 to the Council, £66 Government tax, £2O to the Harbor Board, while his property was also security for the Uawa bridge loan. He clipped about five thousand sheep. Mangatokerau property only paid 30s to the Council per year , and it depastured about 12,000 sheep. He considered it a most unfair transaction for Fitzgerald Bros, to want him to pay a yearly rate so much in excess ol what they would have to pay themselves, having themselves put in at a very low rate of less than 5s a year, and taking into consideration that they dray the wool of 28,000 sheep over the road. Cr Harding considered the road was urgently needed, and understood that Mr Reeves would be indemnified against any loss or expense. Cr Clayton thought Mr Reeves was one of the primary movers in the m, rhe Chairman said he did not see how the Council had any power to withdraw his name from the petition. Mr Dixon had not signed the Pe Cr I Ri’chardson expressed himself on similar lines with the Chairman. The Clerk stated that even with Mr Reeves’ signature withdrawn there would still be sufficient Mr Reeves would not receive any benefit unless the petition was withdrawn Reeves, junr., stated they would derive no benefit Irom the road. The road would incur a considerable amount of expense, and the roads north of Tolago were neglected The County Council did not receive any benefit from small grazing runs, and they had done a considerable amount towards the road to

Mangatokerau. * , . Mr M. Fitzgerald stated that the road had been used by Mr Reeves for driving stock, and he could not understand why he did not continue to do so. Mr Reeves willingly signed the petition, hut afterwards withdrew for some reason or other. If Mr Reeves did not use the road, he would have to take them across the ferry, which meant heavy expenditure.’ ~ , . , Mr W. F. Somerville said he had received notices from Mr Reeves in the past in regard to stock being driven over bis (Mr Somerville s) property. He therefore concluded that Mr Reeves would derive some benefit from the road. Messrs Fitzgerald Bros, had liberally offered to pay a portion of the rates. .The Chairman said he saw no reason why Mr Reeves’ name should be expunged from the petition, or that he should be left out of the rating

district. As there was no proposition, the petition .would take the ordinary course.

A STOCK BRIDGE,

Cr Harding introduced Messrs Hegarty and Rutledge, who waited upon the Council in regard to the construction of a stock bridge at Whatatutu. -At this crossing two weeks ago four mobs of sheep were stopped. The settlers would pay £ for £"up to £BO. A number of pedestrians, as well as horsemen, crossed the river each day. Considering upwards of £IB,OOO was being spent by the settlers in improvements this season, the Council ought to do something. Cr Gray- said he did not see how the Council could help them, owing to the overdraft. Cr White suggested that the settlers find the money, and it be refunded out of the next year’s rates. Mr Hegarty pointed out that the Council had not spent a farthing oi money in Mangatu since it was opened up. Mr Clayton remarked that the settlers were deserving of great credit, and the Council should try, and assist them.

Cr Harding said that there was no doubt but that the settlers were in sympathy with the position of the Council. He thought in a rising district like Mangatu the Council would be able to strain a point. He thought they should do all in their power to help the settlers. Mr Matthews considered the Engineer should be asked to report on the cost of the bridge, and moved accordingly. Mr Hegarty said the settlers were willing to take the advice of the engineer as to the most suitable kind of bridge to erect. In regard to their road, it was in a shameful state of repair, and something should be done in the matter.

Cr Gray asked if they could not form a road district of their own.

Mr Hegarty said that if the Council was of opinion that they should join the Waipaoa Riding, they would do so, or alternately form a district of their own.

The Chairman said that if a petition were presented for the setting up of a new road district, the Council would give every assistance in their power. Regarding the maintenance of the road, Mr Hegarty said the Waipaoa Board disputed that the settlers at ■ Mangatu were in credit. It was suggested that the settlers might apply for assistance to the Roads Department. On the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Cr Clayton, the following resolution was adopted “That the Land Act ,of 1892, section 126, be so amended as to allow the local bodies to receive one-third of money derived from cash purchasers of Crown lands, for the purpose of making roads in the same manner that they, received one-third of money derived from land acquired under other tenure.”

DAYS OF MEETING.

The Chairman’s notice of motion re holding meetings every three weeks was postponed for a period of two months.