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Hokitika Guardian, 25 June 1928, Page 2

The Borough Council is dealing at last with the question of assured titles for the many reserves for municipal purposes existing in the town. When tho borough was laid off originally, there was a very generous allocation of reserves for the local body, no doubt intended ns an endowment for revenue purposes. There are very few blocks in the residential area of the town which do. not contain reserves available for public purposes or for building utilities. In addition there are the large squares of which Cass Square will be the best known. But Whitcombe and Howitt Square are also allocated in different parts of the borough, so that actually the town is very rich in reservations. Many of the reserves are occupied from year to year at a nominal rental and occupancy carries no security as to tenure, the result being that but few of the sections are built on, though many .are excellent residential sites. Tho polity of the Borough Council now is to give a renewable lease over the areas, giving the first preference to existing tenants, rentals to bo based at five per cent, on tho capital valuation of the land. By this means the occupants will obtain an assured title of value, and the annual rental is on a uniform and reasonable balds. It is believed that by this means holders of many sections will i*e encouraged to build. There is at present a shortage of suitable residential dwellings and all new places as they betome available are promptly occupied. Many of the reservci-t which will become available now under the Borougn scheme are highly desirable residential areas and it will not bo surprising to find new buildings appearing in different directions. At the same time, by giving clear titles to the reserves taken up, tho Council will .stabilise its annual income from reserves, and tho extra funds will enable improvements to be made in other directions about the town. Reserves which may not be readily accessible or require preliminary draining, can. bo brought into profit with the extra revenue available, and so the public estate can be advanced in value. What is lieing done must therefore have a good effect in the general future of the town, n'iid in that respect the movement by the Borough Council is certainly to lie commended.