COUNTY COUNCIL.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume V, Issue 661, 19 September 1891, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL.

An ordinary meeting of the above was held yesterday afternoon. Present : Crs Clark (Chairman!, Gray, Wethered, Murphy, Hep burn, and Tnohy, Mr M. McLeod wrote asking the Council to give an expression of opinion in regard to the way he had supervised the construction of the Kaiteratahi Bridge.

The matter was deferred till next meeting, as the Council considered they should have Engineer’s opinion. The Patutahi Road Board wrote stating it was their intention to repair and metal the Quarry road so far as their funds would permit. They asked the Council to devote the whole or part of tbe fine incurred by Mr Knox on hie late contract towards assisting the Board in the work.

This letter was also left over till next meeting. Messrs Hutchinson Bros, wrote, calling attention to the state of the road opposite their entrance gate. The road was almost impassable now, and they would have great trouble in getting their wool down. It was decided that the Engineer rep <rt o n the road.

Mr W. F. Hale wrote in regard to the cases he had brought against the owners of unregistered dogs in Tologa Bay. In the case biought against Mr Mullooly, he wae fined (on two chargee) £2 17s, but the cases against the natives were adjourned. Mr Hale mentioned that he found instituting proceedings troublesome work, for many reasons, Mr Booth bad not been present at that sitting of tbe Court, and should the sama thing occur on the 3rd December no native case could be board, or should Mr Booth decline toast as interpreter, none would be procurable, The writer had hoped to get a native convicted so that ii might be a warning to the others. The Olerk said that he had replied to the letter.

The Property Tax Department forwarded a voucher for £46 7s, being balance of subsidy. Letters ware received from Captain Russell, and Messrs McDonald, McKenzie, and Kelly in regard to communications received from ths C .'Unoil re native land legislation. An amount of other unimportant correspondence was read and disposed of. A letter was received from the Borough Council in regard to the Taruheru bridge, and forwarding the Overseer’s report. Cr Tuohy considered the-work ot re-deck-ing the bridge should be done immediately. It was decided that the Engineer confer with the Borough Overseer on the matter. Mr Adam Kuox wrote, mentioning the accident that had occurred to his family, through the bridge near Mr Bradley's not being fenced. The Chairman suggested that a copy of the latter be forwarded to Mr Bradley, and he would no doubt tease off the bridge,—Agreed to. R Knox wrote asking the Council to reconsider the penalty imposed upon him on the metal contract.

The Chairman said he thought no contractor similarly treated could think himself harshly dealt with, especially when he was 101 days beyond time. Or Tuohy moved that Mr Kuox fie refunded £2l—Or Hepburn seconded.—The matter was left over till next meeting, when the Engineer would bo in attendance.—lt was mentioned that the penalty for Overtime was £1 par day. A letter was received from Mr J. Berry, Tiniroto, asking for permission to cut the trees overhanging the road. The Chairman gave notice of motion to consider the lease or sale of the Council's property, which mainly referred to Mr Berry’s application. The Chairman mentioned that with reference to a oiroular received from the Taranaki

Council the Council should forward a delayed telegram to the Native Minister, giving a detailed account of the amounts the County lost through the native lands not being rated. He said they lost fully £9OO a year through the natives escaping rates. The following accounts were passed for payment:—A. Muir £l2 16s 6d, Brooking £3 15s, Skeet £6 16s lid. Borough Council £B9 11 2d, Library Trustees £l5, Hamblett £1 16s D. Malone £134, Stephenson £26 10a, Gregg and Co. £lO 14s 6d, Audit fees £4. Other accounts were held over till the Engineer had certified to the works. The overdraft without that day's payments was £2,023Or Gray said that at a meeting of tho Cemetery Trustees held that day, it woe decided to ask tho Council to grant a donation of £lO, and also to apply to the Borough Council for a like amount to defray the cost of maintenance. Consideration left over. On the motion of Cr Wethered, seconded by the Chairman, it was decided to placo the collection of the amount due by the Waiapu County in the hands of Messrs DeLautour and Sievwright,