COUNTY COUNCIL.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume V, Issue 644, 8 August 1891, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL.

Tub above body met yesterday afternoo. Present: Ors Gray (in lhe chair), Techy, Hepburn, Orr, Wetbered. A letter wae received signed by aeveral settlers in the Waimata Valley, asking that something should be done to improve the road between that settlement and Gisborne.— Engineer to report as to cnat next meeting. A circular was received from the Audit Department similar to that sent to the other local bodies. The Clerk said there wac this year far leu trouble in collecting rates than usual, and the barber rates especially were now promptly forthcoming. Mr DeLautour, Honorary Secretary to the High School Board of Governors, wrote requesting the aid of the Council in the construction of a road to the Marunga Educational reserve. The development of that reserve was of public importance, and the Board was of opinion that its tenants were entitled to as much consideration as tenants of lands leased from the Crown. Tho Engineer explained that L4O or L5O would make a dray road. It would only benefit Messra McFarlane and Trimmer.— The matter was left over. A communication was received from the Treasury, announcing that L5OO had been forwarded on account of the Kaitoratahi bridge. Wiih regard to an application from the Patutahi Road Board, the Council offsred LIJO subsidy, providing the Board did nqt strike a rate during the year. It was decided to write to Mr Gibson, Pakarae, stating that if he did not intend to keep ths punt in order, it would be handed over to Borne other person to look after.—The Engineer stated the pqnt was allowed to rot on the beach, not even being pumped ont.—Or Tnohy said ha wanted to cross the river the other night, bnt the pant was not workable, and in oonseqnenoe he had to remain there all night.—One councillor requested that they should " put Cr Murpny on to him.” Cr Hepburn proposed, and Cr Tnohy seconded, that Cr King’s leave of absence be extended for three months.—Carried. Or Tuohy wanted to know whether the Council intended to make a present to the Waiapu County of the money due from them. The Waiapu people had treated them with contempt, and he thought something should now be done.—The Chairman said he would certainly be in favor of compelling them to pay the amount, but he did not think they had yet any opportunity to do so.—Cr Tuohy : There is often njoney lost through b-ing too lenient.—Or Orr :We might send them another letter.—Or Hepburn : Make it a standing order,—Jt was agreed tq defer thg matter till next meeting. A statement of all outstanding rates was laid on the table, and in one instance it was mentioned that the defaulter was a person drawing a large sum from the Government, It was deoiled to take out a judgment summons. In going over the defaulters' list, a large amount was found to be due by natives, Mr Parroll had said he would pay, providing Mr Warren got £2Q which Mr Carroll claimed was due to him from the Whataupoko Road Board for fencing, but if the Council took extreme measures he wou'd plead that he was a Maori. Mr Warren mentioned two or three properties, owned by the natives, for which a gentleman in town had promised to settle, but it was no grod trying to force a settlement, as on a previous occasion he sued the person mentioned for rates due fly the natives, and thq Magistrate decided that rates due on native lands were not recoverable.

Accounts were passed as follows:—G. Boland L 3 it 61, Govarnmant L9B Is 3d, transfer L5OO, Engineer's commission LlOO, M. Boland LU la, H. Glover L 8 181 21, M. McLeod L 9, B. Brooking L 3 15s, Hamblett LI 19s, D. Malone L4O, sundries L2 Ils Si, Weir and Sellars Ll5O, salaries L 42 Is Bd, Hospital and Charitable Aid Board LB4 10s. Two tenders were received f<fr the Kiiteratahi road—W. Stevens (accepted} £23 10s, A. Devery £32. Or Wethered wanted to know whether it was Intended to have a pub'lo opening of the Kaiteratahi bridge. He understood that Mr Kempthorne proposed giving a dinner, and he also heard that the NJayor and sevepl others would be present. Or Tuohy concurred with the idea. ]t was a bridge that they all should be proud of. Cr Wethered proposed that the Chairman be asked to open the bridge on its completion. Cr Orr seconded the motion, which was carried.