RE MASON'S GARDENS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 257, 24 July 1920, Page 7

RE MASON'S GARDENS

Sir—ln reply to the letter that appeared yesterday from Mr. W. Nicholson, Town Clerk, Lower Hiitt, villi respeot to tho price osked for Jlasou'a Gardens, I bog to fay that the context is quito correct, but' I wish to make tho follow•fig explanation as to the differences in Mio prices asked. The agent who submitted the gardens *o the Hutt Borough Council approached mo as to what price 'I was asking, 'ind I quoted JIM,OOO for the whole 71 acres, which was ray price to any privato buyer. The agent was also instructed by me not to offer the gardens to any publio body, as it liad already been offered to one'public body at a reduced price (a> I vished to,avoid tho gardens being cut up). This restriction was misunderstood' by the agent, who, after consulting mo again in the matter, obtained my permission to offer the Hutt Borough Council the property at the amended price. My price to any private buyer is still .£20,000, but to a public body .£17,500 for \he tptal 71 acres. I make this explanation to give the general public full knowledge that tho gardens have been offered to the Government and different public bodies at n reduced price, but nevertheless I am in no way anxious to sell to them, as I consider I can make more money by subdividing the estate, -which will take place very shortly, as the plans for reading are now before the Hutt County Council, and I am considering several offers for the right to out the timber on the place. Judging by the comments from correspondents that have appeared in the different newspapers, I shall probably lie severely censured for placing these beautiful gardens beyond the reach of the general public, but, as you are aware; Sir, opportunities have been given to Ilia different public bodies at a reasonable figure to acquire these grounds for posterity, I may further state that the sum cf £22,000 in cash was paid for Mason's Gardens many years ago (since "hen nil Hutt' property has greatly increased in value, and especially these gardens, the. flora of which has been greatly added to), and within the last two years they changed hands at a similar figure.—l om, etc., THE OWNER.