WAIHIRERE QUARRY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2122, 3 July 1907, Page 1

WAIHIRERE QUARRY.

ABANDONED BY THE COUNCIL,

The position in connection with the Waihirere Quarry is shown in the following letter from the Borough Solicitors (Messrs Chrisp and Coleman), road at last night’s meeting of tho . Council: —“After several meetings with the representatives of the native owners wo have agreed, subject of course to the approval of the Council, to re-transfer the land to the natives. For several reasons this should be done —(1) The original error which arose in the survey was never rectified, and practically.speaking the Council is holding a title over land which was not proclaimed. (2) The purpose for which the land was taken lias now failed, and the place will never bo used for waterworks. (3) The Council in law under the present title lias no right to quarry for minerals. (4) Tlie Government valuation is £5 12s 6d per acre, and the Court oil that basis would probably allow the natives something like £6 per acre. There are 870 acres, and the Council must take pay for all or none. (5) The Council would not be justified either, in law or in fact in attempting to force this matter merely with tho object of obtaining a picnic ground for the Borough. In any case the natives threaten litigation to set aside the title, and claim damages for the loss of occupation, and in our opinion it is very doubtful if the Council could sustain its position. AVe, therefore, have no hesitation in advising the Council to approve and confirm our arrangement. It is quite probable that the Scenic Commissioners will, if properly approached, take the gully up to tho waterfall for public purposCsywawd there is no doubt that they are tho proper parties to do so.” Cr. Sheridan said this was one of the greatest bungles ever perpetrated, and the blame should be put on the right shoulders. AA’hcn the original work was done ho was against it until the title was .secured, as _the' increased value would only go to tho natives. A most deplorable error had -occurred and ho was not- prepared to accept any blame. The Council should have examined the boundaries, seen the title in order, and gone about things in a businesslike way. Somo one had cost the Council between £7OO and £BOO. He proposed that an enquiry he instituted to find out who was to blame.

Cr. Whinra.y: I think it a blessing in disguiso. It would only have cost us more. The Mayor said ho had not heard of the error until Thursday last. The proclamation was for one block and the title was given for another. The Lands Department was to blame Until this time the negotiations had been proceeding well, and an agreement with the natives for portion of the block looked like being arrived at. All the Council could do was to approve of the selectors’ recommendation and retire after holding it so many years. The principal part- of the expense-at Waihirere had been incurred in early stages, and the stone obtained had recouped some of tlio outlay. Lately the supply had gone off and the quarry the Council now had was worth twice as much. Whilst the value of Waihirere as a quarry was doubtful, lie would have liked to have seen portion of the block acquired by the Council. In seconding the motion he expressed regret at the turn of affairs. Cr. AVhinray hoped portion would bo obtained as a scenic reserve.

In reply to a question the Mayor said the natives now put a fictitious value on tlio place. The Council would bo quite free to obtain a proclamation at any future timo, but the best plan now would be to get clear of the whole thing. Cr. Whinray: Let the tiling alone and we will be able to get better terms in future if we desire. Cr. Sheridan said the Mayor hinted that the Land Board alone was culpable : if so this would be found out after inquiry. As to the expenditure £3OO might have been spent in connection with the waterworks proposal, but the fact remained that £SOO had been spent there since the Engineer discovered stone on the property. The motion agreeing to the solicitors’ recommendation was carried.

Cr. Sheridan pressed his motion, to have the circumstances inquired vpto. The Mayor: X am quite agreeable. It came as" a great shock to me. Cr. Williams: The error lies in the fact that the wrong block was proclaimed.

The Mayor: There was ail error as to the number of the block. The area proclaimed was* not identical with the title. I don’t want to say too much about it. The motion for an inquiry was carried, and the Mayor and Cl'S. Somervell, Mann and Sheridan were appointed a committee for the purpose.