BOROUGH LEASES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3705, 28 August 1906, Page 2

BOROUGH LEASES.

Vvi; agree with Cr Baker, who stated at last night’s Borough Council meeting that he was opposed to the granting of long leases of town property. The Council would be studying the best interests of ratepayers in limiting the terras, of leases to seven years with right of renewal at fresh valuation. There is a possibility of property trebling its value during the next xo years, and when applications are made for leases of valuable town sites this fact should be kept in view. We could name several boroughs in the colony whose coffers have been impoverished by hurriedly granting long leases;

We are reliably informed that a certain well-known colonial firm of hemp dealers are anxious to lease land "from the Council and erect large stores at a cost of and have approached the Government with a view to having a resident grader stationed here. We need not here dilate upon the importance oi • this to millers. This firm is desirous of securing the same site - that Messrs Devin and Co. are applying for. We cannot imagine that Councillors were cognisant of this fact last night. If tenders were called for 1 the valuable site in question, we venture to say that the price mentioned to Messrs Devin and Co. would have been doubled or trebled. Is the Council prepared to make this sacrifice? In the interest of the ratepayers we are of opinion that the resolution re the lease should be rescinded and tenders called for the right to lease this or any other waste land. In any case the matter requires serious and immediate attention, =—