ONSLOW CATCHMENT AREA

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3192, 17 September 1917, Page 8

ONSLOW CATCHMENT AREA

LETTING THE GRAZING RIGHTS

Tho present members of tho Onslow Borough. Council were elected, on tho borough water supply question, those in office now preferring to obtain a water supply from the City, Council irad to got rid .of tho catchment arcu. Jn accordance with this policy the sounoil called for tenders for the grassing rights of the area, and at the meeting of the council on August 18 tenders were received, and prior to deciding on the matter a deputation, headed by Major Smith, waited on tho council and protested [.gainst tho letting of the area. A great many arguments .were brought forward by members of the deputation, the principal points of which, were that sheep would damago tho bush, and in sucli a place as the catchment area would be a menace to tho health of the community. Tho council, however, after discussing the reasons advanced by the deputation, decided to lot the area and accepted the tender of Mr. H. Hume at Bs. per acre. At the meeting on Saturday evening tho Mayor (Mr. J. M. Dale) announced that he liad been approached, by Major Smith, who stated that he :iad new evidence on 'the subject, and desired to wait on the Council with a deputation, to which the Mayor agreed. Councillor E. A. liudd objected to the council receiving th'e deputation. lie contended that the council bad already fully considered the matter, mid had arrived at a definite decision. .Furthermore By-law 95, with reference to deputations, provided for certain procedure which bad not been observed, and ho protested against the deputation, being heard. - ~ , After some discussion it was decided to hear the deputation, the Mayor stating that he had given his consent conditionally on the deputation confining itself strictly .to new matter, and enly two speakers to be heard. ..... Major Smith, who was again, the principal speaker, referred to Cornwall talk, Auckland, which he stated was fenced and no stock was allowed to damage tie patches of bush. AVith respect to \\l\ton's Bush, which some, councillors stated was let for sheep grazing, Major Smith said that the grazing was subject to special conditions. About ««»«« opon grass land, and the right to graze sheep was from month to month and only for nine months of the year, from September 1, and the number of sheep was limited. There was also a ranger Uufro to m that the stock did wt.gme n the bush. He also quoted the opimoa of Mr. P. Turner, Inspector of bceuic Keeerves, and of Dr. Cockayne, who had visited the area. Ho contended that the opinions of these two expert, yere absolutely against tho council, and he strongly urged councillors not to let the atchment area for grazing purposes and risk damage to the beaubiul Lwh «i flie area, which was a great potential asset °Vhe e Marked Major Smith what had happened with respect to tb., injun - tion, "Your committeo staled that lui , ther action would bp taken. Major Smith's reply did i.ot gnc any information on tho subject. The Mayor thou referred » a ■ ctlcl front Air G. Hogben. .to Dr. Cockayne n which the area'of the catchment land •as correctly stated, aid there was a referen™to two-thirds of he land being in bush, and wanted to know whoJ oi Major Smith knew, that a nundred .cics were planted in pines, lo his Jti. • Holdsworth (a former Mayo ) said that, the pines were planted when he was Mavor and it waS not 100 acres, but 8000 nine trees were planted on the ridges. P There was a sharp interchange between the Mayor and Mr. Holdsworth. Aftr a few more remark* b) .Major Umith the deputation withdrew. When the matter came before the conn ril. Councillor 3. . C. Oanlncr niou>d: "That the resolution payed U, Mig M 18 1917-thnt the tender of B». per.aue to Mr- H. Hmno for the grazing rjghta of the catchment ara. be a«°p'.«cl--bo rescinded." In speaking to tho resolution ho said he thought that 11 o niittei had been rushed through at the last mee - ing without full consideration Ihe deputation bad brought.forward new_« ■-. Sence which should weigh with the council. Thero was also a good deal of eu-dc-nco in favour of postponing the Battel arising out of the proposal to amalgamate with tho city. Ho thought that no harm would be dona in delaying ret o for some months. , The council should get tho opinion of the City Engineer, and the catchment area should be preserved mid not let for grazing purposes Councillor \ W. Palmer seconded tho motion, which - received tho warm support of Councillor G. P. Hodgson who expressed the opinion that the borough s asset in this area would be greatly depreciated if sheep were allowed to graze there. Tho matter should he ticld- over until tho question of amalgamation was definitely settled. Tho motiou was lost on tho voices. After the ordinary meeting a special meeting was held, when the Mayor ntoyctl that a special order be made declaring that tho catchment area will not bo required for tho purpose for which it is held 3uriiig the' proposed tenancy, and that the proposed tenancy will sot ntcrfero with its ultimate use as a catchment area. After a short discussion tho motion was carried.