TOO EXPENSIVE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 11, 2 October 1942, Page 5

TOO EXPENSIVE

edgecumbe riverside RESERVE COUNTY ABANDONS SCHEME The projected establishment of a riverside recreation reserve at Edgecumbe which has occupied the Whakatane County Council for the past few months was' brought to a sudden termination on Tuesday, when the officer appointed to effect valuation of the area under discussion estimated it at £1030. The above estimate was considered "■'beyond all figures the council had in view fey- the 2Va acres concernedThe County Clerk reported the owners were, Awa Ratahi and 11 others, the greatest, share of any owner being l/9th. Search notes had not been received for the portion of Section 5:3 from the corner to Mr Hunt's residence. Mr A. C. Sutherland the council's appointee, reported: "In arriving at a fair valuation of tlic land for the purpose required, presents many difficulties, obviously full selling values will be demanded by the owners, which is only reasonable, as they do not want to sell. I understand there is no reserve on river boundary, and have valued accordingly.. I would class the land at Northern end approximately 5 chains as potential business, sites. Balance •of land, approximately 0 chains as 'residential. 40ft business sites chains —8 sections average price £75 —GOO; 661't residential sites G chains .—G sections average price— £(>s— £390; T. Lovich residence removable not valued; Lovich garage, concrete path and garden £40. Total value £1030.-

'While expressing regret - that the had been dropped Gr Mc'Cracken said that under the circum.stances, the committee liad no alternative. There was a possibility when the Government subdivided tin land that a rivers-bank reserve would lie "■established in any case, which would -automatically cut a third oil' t Tear of the sections. To his mind the Figure seemed, fairly high and if those values obtaine-d he considered the council should be collecting a lot more in rates. He had considered, half that sum a fair price. The council decided to take no further action in the acquisition ol the proposed reserve. Cr Lux ton pointed out that as the present Edgecumbe reserve was some two miles from the township of Edgecumbe a golden opportunity presented itsHf for an exchange for a j>roi}erty nearer the centre of population. If a similar sized section could be obtained it would be 'large enough to cater for football, "tennis, cricket and other games. Members suggested that, the question of an exchange was. one for the Domain Board and not for the council.