COOK COUNTY COUNCIL

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2634, 16 October 1909, Page 2

COOK COUNTY COUNCIL

ORDINARY AND SPECIAL MEETINGS.

An ordinary and a special meeting of the Cook County Council was held at the Council Chambers, in Childers Hoad, yesterday. The chairman, the Hon. Captain \V. H. Tucker, presided, and other Councillors present were Messrs T. Holden, A. F. Matthews, H. White, ft. Boland, and It. Sherratt. The Secretary, Mr. John Warren, and the Engineer, Mr deG. Fraser, were in attendance as usual. After the minutes of the last meeting had been confirmed, and the outgoing correspondence read, it was resolved to instruct the Secretary to write to Mr. McEoughlin, of Patutahi, demanding immediate payment of £36, rent in arrears at £lB per annum, for the 60 acres called Gentle Annie quarry, now vested in the Borough Council. TE ARAI STOCK RESERVE. A letter from Mr. T. R. Lees, of the Te Arai Settlers’ Association, dealt with the Te Arai stock reserve. A communication from the Hon. 1). Buddo, Acting-Minister for Lands, was enclosed, stating that in view of the promise made by the Hon. Mr. Carroll that the land would be sot aside as a stock reserve, he was willing to waive the usual course and ask Parliament to appropriate £l2O, being the capital value of the land, the vesting to take p/I ace as soon as the capital value had been appropriated in accordance with the provisions of the Land for Settlements Act. 1908. Mr. Lees asked that the Council should take the Minister’s word in the matter, and at once authorise the erection of fencing, which it had undertaken to do. Cr. Sherratt: Do you-think the £l2O is sure to* he granted. The Chairman: In my opinion it will, but I don’t see why ho doesn’t give us a grant. Cr. Matthews: I do. He’s afraid of the deposition.

The Chairman: Then I don’t see why we should he less cautious. If the Minister says “wait,” let us wait. Cr. Matthews pointed out the inconvenience caused to settlers by the delav. and after some discussion Cr. White proposed that the necessary £27 should be expended,'and Cr. Matthews seconded the motion. he Chairman, howcVer. opposed this, and Mr. Sherratt pointed out that bv going on with the fencing they would probably delav the grant. The motion was lost. MISCELLANEOUS correspondence. Mr. J. Jenkins, of Pakarae, wrote offereing £3 cash for the right of cutting all puriri timber on the road line as far as Mr. Seymour’s cemetery, on the advice of Mr. Fraser, the olfer w.-s accepted, with the right of the Council to terminate at the end of the year. Mr. D. J. Parker asked for a grant, of £5 towards the opening up of the by-road from Tokonui road into his place, promising to subsidise the £6 with an equal amount.—lt was resolved that £5 he spenl on the road. Mr. M. Mullooly wrote earnestly asking the Council not to reinstate the old poundkeeper, a petition for which, ho said, was being secretly signed. Tlie Secretary remarked that lie had heard nothing of such a petition, and Captain Tucker said it was no use considering the letter until they did. A manifesto from the Northern Land League was received, which urged that the Government should take over and treat as Crown lands all unoccupied native lands. The League respectfully asked the Council’s sympathy in the matter.

On the subject of the construction of the road known as Murphy’s road, A. C. Steele and J. R. Murphy, of Tahunga, wrote asking the Council to undertake the work now, although the loan granted wtiold not be> available till next April. Mr. Sherratt pointed out that the Council would only bo finding tho money for a short time, and proposed that the work should be done this year. It was decided to do this provided that the W’aikohu County Council agree to find the cost of making the half of tlie road that lay within their boundary. Mr. Hugh Pollen wrote from the office of the Minister of Internal Affairs, with reference to the holding of elections of Countv Councillors consequent upon alterations in ridings in the Cook County, saying that the Council’s representations had been noted for consideration. HAITI AND WHATAUPOKO SANITATION. Tho Town Clerk of Gisborne brought under the notice of tlie Council the necessity of the installation of a sanitary service for thickly populated portions of Haiti and Whataupoko, stating that the Borough Council would offer suitable carts if the Couty Council would undertake the service. Tho piece of roadway extending along the Waimata river eastward of Owen Road, Haiti, was also brought uncVer the Council’s notice, and the Town Clerk intimated that should it meet with their approval the Borough Council would improve it and make it suitable for a pleasure resort. The Chairman: A pleasure resort! Any mortal thing for pleasure! With regard to the question of sanitation, the chairman added that it would be a very expensive tiling for the Council to undertake, unless indeed a depot-was established within the County. He thought the better plan would be for those peoplei who had hitherto had the service should endeavor to make some arrangement with the contractor to continue it.

Cr. Matthews asked that consideration of the matter might he deferred to next meeting, iiV order that the residents in the district might talk over the matter and see if it was possible to make any arrangements. This was accordingly done. The Chairman proposed that the latter request of the Borough Council be acceded' to, but- Cr. Matthews objected on the ground that this valuable portion of road should not bo handed over to the Council. The residents whose houses abutted the road were adverse to tlie suggestion. Tlie Chairman: The Council don’t ask for its control. Cr. Matthews replied that the residents objected to the place being made

a public resort. He proposed that tbe , request should stand over for a month, and this course was agreed to. THE PAPATU QUARRY.

The Chairman of the Te Arai Settlers’ Association, Mr. T. R. Lees, wrote that the Association had wired the Hon. Mr. Carroll re the acquisition of a site for a quarry in Papatu Block, and had recived the following reply: “Re Papatu quarry, I will further interview the Hon. Minister for Public Works on bis return.” The Association now advised the Council that they considered that, failing better terms from tlie Government, the Council should accept the offer already made as any advantage that might be gained bv prolonging negotiations would be more than counterbalanced by the delay in getting stone out of the quarry for this season’s work.

On Captain Tucker’s motion it was resolved to urge Mr. Carroll to use every despatch in the matter, and inform the Te Arai Association that they had done this, and in the meantime were unable to undertake the liability suggested. THE RABBIT PEST.

Mr. D. Rcss, Inspector of Stock, Hawke’s Bay, wrote stating with regard to the advance of rabbits, that he had secured the services of a reliable man for Mohakn and everything would be done to stop the- spread of the pest northward. The Under-Secretary for Lands wrote by direction of the Minister-in regard to the proposed uutilisation of Block V., Buckley Township, for the purposes of a pound and resting place for travelling stock, stating that the matter had been referred to the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Napier, for report, in order that the application of the Council might be duly considered. Patrick Rogers applied for the position of tallyman at Patutahi quarry, stating that he. had lost a leg. but could undertake the work.—There being no vacancy, the application was ne fused. TAKIRAU COUNTY BILL.

With regard to the Bill to constitute the new County of Takirau, which is being introduced at the present Parliamentary session, Messrs Rees Bros, and Bright wrote requesting that the Council would resolve that the Bill mot with its approval, and have a copy of the resolution forwarded to the Clerk of the House of Representatives. The same firm also wrote mentioning that the only difference that might arise between the Council and the petitioners in the matter would probably he in regard to the line of division from Walhora IB to the Borough of Gisborne. It was admitted that the boundary might be improved upon Inter, but the present line was rendered necessary owing to the existence of the Taruheru Road District, which they could not sever. The Bill abolishes the Titirangi, Pouawa, and Waimata Road Board Districts, which will be merged into the new county. Cr. Boland proposed that the Council recommend the passing of the Bill, and the clerk he instructed to forward such resolution. —Cr. T. Holden seconded the motion. Cr. White said lie did not consider the main road a fair division of tho inner ridings. The Buslmierc road would have made a better division. The Chairman said he did [not think the Bill would be for the general benefit. Even tho severance of Waikoliu had not turned out as well as was expected. In this case lie thought tho expenses of administration would bo double.

Cr. Boland said lie thought all that, was required was the present cost of the upkeep c*f tho road districts included in the scheme to administer the new county.

Cr. Sherratt said it was only fair that any division should go through the most expensive riding, and not leave an expensive riding to the Cook County.

Cr. Matthews said ho did not see whv tho Bill might not be amended with regard to tho boundary. Though he did not approve of tlie suggested division, ho would vote in favor of tlie motion.

Cr. White: I shall certainly oppose any alteration of the district. It is quite small enough as it is. But if it must be divided, tho division should be equitable. The motion was lost by tho Chairman’s casting vote, there being three for it and three against. The Chairman said lie would have the fact that the motion was put recorded and forwarded te the Clerk of the House of Representatives, if Cr. Boland wished.

A memorandum was received from the Executive Committee of tlie Now Zealand Counties’ Association regarding the advisability of holding a conference of delegates.—The matter was not discussed. , A HAITI APPLICATION. An application from Montrose, Haiti, signed by a number of ratepayers, asked the Council to have put in hand the 20 chains of road formation from the end of Matthews’ road along Paraone Road with a view to filling up the old water-course at the end of Russell Road. The ratepayers were now paying £IOO acre valuations on this unformed road.

On the proposal of Cr. Matthews the matter was referred to the Engineer for a report.

A letter from Mr Colbert, drawing attention to the bad state of Huxley Road, was also referred to the Engineer. A similar course was adopted with regard to a communication from certain ratepayers in Whataupoko calling attention to the state of the culvert and drain in Valley Road and asking for £l2 to be spent in making a new drain.

The ba’anco sheet for the half-year ending September 30th, 190 S, was received from the Audit Department. The County Ranger, Mr A. Parsons, sent in a list of impoundings at Ormond during the past month, which totalled 84 head. SANITARY AND ENGINEER’S REPORT.

The Council received the report of Mr R. Tlielwall, the Sanitary Inspector, who remarked on the fact that there had only been four eases of scarlet fever since the August meeting of the Council, which spoke well for the health of tlie county residents. It was mentioned that in one case at Te Arai

the premises were absolutely insanitary, and not fit for habitation.

ENGINEER’S REPORT

The Engineer, Mr Eraser, presented his report for the month, and authority was given him to do sucli work as was recommended in it.

The Engineer reported as follows: — “I have the honor to report that most of the damage to roads from the late floods has been repaired, the cost of which was considerably under what was first estimated. A small bridge at Takapau special settlement has still to be reinstated, and other minor matters seen to. I shad visit Tologa district next week, see these items, and lay off other work authorised. The contracts for widening drains, Patutahi, are well in hand, considerable work has been effected on three out of four of the jobs in hand. I have interviewed the Commissioner of Crown Lands with regard to a stock reserve on the Ngatapa estate, pointing out the locality which will be most suitable; he has promised to try and meet the wishes of the Council in the matter. I propose starting the road machines in a few days; work will first be commenced on the Arai Valley Road and Hangaroa district. A new beam span bridge has been erected on a bad turn of tue’road near the Reay station, the old bridge being unsafe and dangerous for traffic. Tenders for carting stone from the Patutahi quarry will be invited, to close at the end of this month. Owing to the good winter we shall, I consider, be able to do with 400 yards less of Patutahi metal than usual, and use 300 yards less cf river gravel. This applies to the section Makaraka-Kai-taratahi. I have laid off and arranged for the making of some improvement to the road leading across the Wairaata river to give access to Mr. Watson; for comparatively a small expenditure, a grade down to the crossing of 1 in 10i orm b e obtained in place of the present pinch of 1 in 5. I should recommend that the Tologa bridge be repainted, also the Reav bridge screwed up and painted, and the Arai, Karawa, and Maraetahi bridges, and two or three small bridges in the Tologa district.” CONFERENCE WITH BOROUGH COUNCIL. The minutes contained a report of tiie recent conference between the County and Borough Council re the carting of road metal, which was read. The Chairman said lie had wanted His Worship to promise to bring bejore the Borough Council a resolution to the effect that they did not want to damage the road with their Straker wag<jan, but if they did so they would make such damage good. He had understood that Mr Lysnar was going to do this, and was surprised at having heard nothing further about it. Cr. Sherratt suggested putting a royalty of Is a yard on Patutahi stone, which would amply indemnify them for any damage to roads. He proposed that the royalty should be raised from the present rate of 3d to Is. Cr. Matthews suggested that the matter should be left ti l after the poll. They should wait till tho Borough wanted the stone.

The Chairman : They say that if the loan proposals are carried a plant will be erected at Gentle Annie. In the absence of a seconder Mr Slierratt’s motion fell through. MISCELLANEOUS.

It was decided to lio’d the next ordinary meeting on the same date as the annual meeting, viz., November 24th. The Council resolved to make a Special Order declaring the Bathurst burr a noxious weed within the County. The Secretary was instructed, on the suggestion of Cr. Boland, to write to Mr Seymour, of W'hangara, drawing his attention to the fact that ho had erected a fence on the W’hangara road, and asking him to make an opening in it. On the application of the same member the Engineer was instructed to put up two culverts 7n the deviation on the Paramata Road, near Tologa. It was decided to grant the Secretary Mr W’arren, a fortnight’s leave from the 20th instant. It was formally resolved on tlie motion of the Chairman, to strike a rate of Id in the £ on all rateable values. Accounts amounting to £1059 2s lid were passed for payment. IN COMMITTEE. After discussion in committee the Council decided to take an acre of land near the Matawliero Bridge for County purposes.