ONSLOW CATCHMENT AREA

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 17, 15 October 1917, Page 6

ONSLOW CATCHMENT AREA

A FRESH DEVELOPMENT. The catchment area in the Onslow Borough has been the bone of contention between two contending parties in the district, and the last borough election, which was fought mainly on this issue, resulted in the election of a majority of those who favoured making arrangements with the city for water supply, and to abandon the catchment area. A few months ago the council decided to lease tha catchment area for grazing purposes. Tenders were called, and a tender accepted. Deputations waited 011 tho ■ council on two occasions to protest against the proposed action of the council, but the latter was not influenced by the arguments of the deputation. There has now been a fresh development for those opposed to the council's action are moving the Supreme Court to obtain an injunction, and .the Mayor and councillors have each been served with writs. The Attorney-General, on the relation of Frank Holdsworth, solicitor, is the plaintiff, and the grounds for seeking the injunction are: (1) That the grazing of stock on the catchment area will causo irreparable damage, and will destroy : the bush and trees thereon, and render the land unfit for the purpose for which ' it was acquired; (2) that the exercise of ] discretion bv, the defendants in the di- | rection of granting a lease or tenancy over the said land is not a bona-fule exercise of .discretion; (3) that the proposed lease or tenancy is not authorised by law. The statement of claim sets out the history of the catchment area, the efforts made td"secure authority to raise money to proceed with the water scheme, the planting of trees on the area, and the more recent details leading up to the letting of the land for grazing purposes. The case may come on for hearing next week.