Roading the McDonald Estate.

Levin Daily Chronicle, 11 June 1918, Page 3

Roading the McDonald Estate.

Mr W. >S. l'ark (County Solicitor,) wrote to the jtLorowlienua County Council meeting on Saturday stating thai lie nail prepared an agreement for the purchase of land -tor tlie Avawm road extension from Mr L.Gr. McDonald. in addition to the land owned by Jir AlcDonald the road will pass through a section owned by a large number of natives, some of the shares being - as small as l-o-iOth of the whole block. The Council was advised to proceed under the Public Works Act to acquire the native land. Cr Jiroadbelt staffed that the committee appointed liad come to ain agreement with Mr McDonald as outlined in the letter.

Cr MqLeavey asked who was going to pay for the land —the County or tlie W irokino riding. He pointed out tliat Levin and would benefit very considerably by the shortening of the road and they should be asked to assist. The Chairman: I cannot help thinking that the road will be of some little value to Mr McDonald. Cr Broadbelt said very good value was obtained and Mr McDonald treated the Council very fairly. The making of the road was still ahead of them and they could aproach the Boroughs mentioned by Cr McLeavey when the time came for that. It was .a far sighted policy to obtain the land now and if necessary new owners of land there* could bo specially rated for the road. Cr Law, another member of the Committee, said Mr McDonald had allowed tliem to choose whatever route they liked—a thing he himself would not have done.-

In reply to Cr Ryder, the chairman said the land through which the road was going was not going to be cut up at present. The Engineer said roughly about 7i acres were being taken, and the cost of land and fencing should not be more than £550.

The following resolution, moved by Cr Broadbelt, and seconded by Cr Law, was earned :

That the bargain with Mr Lindsay McDonald to purchase land from him for the extension of the Kawiu road to tlie Foxton road'for the sum of £55 per acre be approved and th'e agreement with regard to the same receive the Council's seal and be signed by the Chairman; and that payment of the deposit named in the said agreement, viz.,. £100, be hereby authorised ; and further, that steps be taken to acquire under tlie Public Works Act, any native land required to complete the extension aforesaid.