RAWHITI RESERVE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 4952, 17 March 1926, Page 2

RAWHITI RESERVE.

QUESTION OF LEASING.

DECISION TO RETAIN AREA. At Thursday night’s, meeting of the Paeroa Borough Council Mr J. PFindlay forwarded a cheque for £lB 13s 6d, being amount due as rateo on the Rawhitiroa reserve, "together with three weeks’ ’rent at 10s a week. The writer stated that he was prepared to continue paying rent provided he iould obtain a' lease ofc the reserve for 12 months,' and. the horses were removed immediately so that topdressing could be done. If that arrangement was, not acceptable, 4s a week wa.s offered for the fenced portion, including the hay shed and portion of the stop-bank. Failing both arrangements being unsuitable, the council whs asked to allow a reasonable price for the thrfee tons of hay stored in the shed. He pointed oat that he ha,d been forced to reduce his stock, to two cows, and that there had been a decrease of 50 per cent, in the milk supply, notwithstanding that the animals had been fed on bran twice daily during the last few weeks. Cr. Brenan suggested that the demand for rates must have affected ithe cows.

The Mayor said that Mr Findlay was able to make other arrangements, so long as he received a reasonable price for the hay. The speaker said he was reluctant to tie the reserve up for any definite time. Another point to be' considered was that ithe reserve could be used to better advantage by grazing the council’s horses. '

The Mayor moved that Mr Findlay be paid the sum of £6 for .the hay, and, the council retain the reserve for its own use.

Cr. Edwards moved as an amendment that Mr Findlay be given the option of paying 4s a week rent for a portion of the’reserve and retain .the hay, or that he receive £6 for the hay. • Cr. Silcock seconded, but the afmendment was declared lost on the voices. The resolution was; carried, Crs. Edwards and Silcock dissenting