PUBLIC MEETING

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1738, 19 July 1917, Page 3

PUBLIC MEETING

THE ROUND BUSH. \ The public meeting convened to discuss the proposed exchange of portion of the Target Reserve for the Round Bush, held on Tuesday ('veiling, was very well attended.' The Mayor (Mr John Chrystall) presided. The Chairman briefly outlined the proposal of the Harbour Board, which was that the Council should exchange portion of the Target Reserve for the Round Bush, with the object of preserving the bush as a beauty spot and picnic ground. The Mayor said that the area of bush proposed to he dealt with was between 40 and 50 acres, and the Harbour Board wanted in return the same ami from the Target Reserve. The Board also promised to give access to the bush from the main road. Members of the Council had visited (he hush, and there was no question hut that it was indeed a very beautiful spot, and it would he a sin to destroy it. He understood there was ample fall, for it to ho properly drained. The portion of the Target Reserve that the Hoard suggested should he exchanged for (he hush, however, was the best of lhe reserve, and if cleared would he worth £25 per acre. Last week, continued the Mayor, lie saw Mr W. IT. Field, M.F., and he seemed to tie of opinion that if Ihe Government were approached (hey would probably buy the bush for the Council, to be set aside as a scenic reserve. Personally lie thought it was unwise (o transfer portion of the reserve in the manner suggested. Foxton was very badly off for reserves, and could not part with any they had. Mr Field had slated that Mr H. G. Fit, M.iwa,- a recognised authority on scenic reserves, and he was willing to come to Foxton to inspect the hash, and his report submitted to the Government would carry weight. The Government had donated a lot of money in connection with scenic reserves, and he believed a proposal as outlined would receive favourable consideration.

In answer to questinns, (he Mayor said that if. the Gouneil took over l lie bush I bey would have to bear the expense of draining. The revenue at present derived from the Coimed's reserve was iis 5d ]>er acre, but it was in a very neglected stale at present. Coniinning, the Mayor said Unit after very careful thought he had come to the decision that it would lie unwise, in view of the prospective value of the land in question, to exchange it .for the bush. He regretted having to turn the proposal down, but lie looked upon reserves as a sacred (rust for the people, and should not be parted with. They were given to local bodies for rove: me producing purposes, and should be »-.ed for such purposes. The existing lra.-e had only 20 months to w■•:. and lie '"as of opinion Unit • '<;■ ue’v lease provision should be * ' •onipensa.le the lessee for enienls a! the expiry of itie Jb believed that in a ver;, -- , ■ revenue tveeiv,:d train 11 .1 \r. 11 v would increase fiv; , . Mi •' esenl renlal, to u:JO. The Como- . i mild not afford to ibrow (his. revenue away. The present lesser had told him that if the portion suggested were cut out the reserve would he of very little use. It was not business-like to transfer a revonnc-producing asset for land that would be non-revenuc-produeing. He moved a motion to this effect.

Gr Pryant, in seconding the motion, said the land was worth 10s per acre per year. He was of opinion that the Round Push should he bought by the people of the whole district, and not by Fox ton alone.

Mr Kellow said they must loop at the mailer from a business point of view. It was not wise to give away the only portion of the reserve that was of anv value. .

(V Henderson was also of opinion that it would be unwise for the Council to do as suggested, lie had held that opinion from the start.

Cr Stevenson ,-aid the bush should he preserved at all costs. The revenue from (he reserve was only 2s dd per acre, ami they should think of the generations to conic.

Mr Hornblow said that apparently they were looking at the question from a linaneial point of view only, hut they should not lose sight of the question from the point of view of providing a beauty spot and pleasure resort for (lie future.

ll w;b pointed out to the 'Mayor that the Coord's proposal was that tin- exchange, should be on the binds of ■■value for value,” and not “acre for acre,'' as he had slated. The Board suggested that an independent valuer should be appointed to value both properties. The Mayor stilted, however, that the suggestion put forward by the Board was “aere for acre.” The motion, on being put, was lost. After several other motions were put forward and lost, withdrawn or otherwise disposal of, it was eventually unanimously decided “that this public meeting respectfully suggests to the Borough Council that it: approach the Foxton Harbour Board and ask if it will approach the Government in conjunction with the Council with the object of converting the Round Bush into a public scenic reserve, and give its equivalent in value to the Board cither by setting aside a further endowment, or failing that, its cash value.’'’ The meeting further decided to invite Messrs W, H. Field and H. G. Ell, M’s.P., to visit Foxton, and

make an inspection of the Bush,

[The Mayor’s contention that the suggested basis of exchange was “acre for acre” is incorrect. Members of the Board waited on the Council at a meeting held on May 14th, and the Chairman (Mr Hcnncssy), in putting the proposition before the Council, said: “flic Board wanted to know if the Council could see its way to take, over the hush and give in exchange equal value of land from the Council’s reserve.” In reply to a question by a councillor, Mr Hennessy said: “In making the exchange a valuation from an independent valuer would be obtained. Both parlies were local bodies, and neither wanted to be greedy.”—Ed.ll. ]