THE ROUND BUSH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1812, 11 April 1918, Page 3

THE ROUND BUSH.

At Monday night’s Borough Council meeting-the Mayor read the following letter from the Lands Department re the acquisition of the Round Bush as a scenic reserve:— “In continuation of my letter of the 29th January last, advising you that if a guarantee is given that funds will be provided to cover not less than one half the cost of acquiring the 42 acres of mixed bush land, the Hon. Minister, of Lands should be prepared to favourably recommend the Government to proceed with the acquisition, I have now to advise you that a special valuation has been made by. the Valuer General of the land referred to. The following figures have been taken from the valuation report which was made on the 10th inst-’ ant Pt. Sec. 332, Bk. 1., Mt. Robinson S.D.: 42a, Or, Op, Capital value £432, unimproved value £420, Improvements £12.” The Mayor explained that when in Wellington he, in company with Mr W. 11. Field, M.P., waited upon the Prime Minister in reference to the acquisition of the reserve. Mr Massey promised if the local bodies interested would pay half-cost of the reserve the Government would find the balance. The Premier promised to have a valuation made of the reserve. After further discussing the subject, the Premier promised a sum of £420, Now that the valuation had been received, the Mayor said the only amount required to be found was £l2 to complete the price to be paid to the Harbour Board. The portion of the reserve representing part of the Harbour Board endowment had no commercial value to the Board, as the Government had prohibited the cutting of timber thereon, and had declared it a scenic reserve. The Mayor said it was for the Board to say whether it would accept the. valuation and price in compensation. Personally he thought the Board would accept the payment. The small amount required to make up the purchase price could be paid out of the borough reserves account, which was in credit. “I would rather pay the £l2 out of my own pocket than lose,the opportunity of securing the reserve.” The Mayor said the hour Board would deal with the matter at Thursday’s meeting, and until the Council knew its decision no further steps could be taken. Cr Hurley asked whether the Council would be the controlling body for the reserve. The Mayor said it was his intention to ask that the Council be made the controlling authority, but Mr Ell, M.P., when on his visit to the Round Bush, was of opinion that the Government should not allow, the control of scenic reserves to pass out of the hands of the Government. The Mayor moved, and Cr Coley seconded: “That the Lands and Survey Department be notified that the Council is agreeable to pay £l2, being the balance of amount required to purchase the Round Bush from the Foxton Harbour Board in excess of the amount promised by the Prime Minister (£420).” —Carried. The Mayor paid a tribute to Mr W. H. Field, M.P., for the assistance he had rendered him in laying the matter before the Prime Minister. In conversation with Mr P, Hennessy, Chairman of the Harbour Board, we were informed that the Board would probably accept the valuation and purchase price. So far as he was concerned, he would like to see the reserve vested in Hie borough, and would do whal he could to assist the Council in the matter.