THE ROUND BUSH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 2049, 1 November 1919, Page 3

THE ROUND BUSH.

A siicc ial meeting -of the Fox ton Borough Council was held on Thursday evening to discuss matters in connection with the proposed acquisition of the Round Bush as a scenic reserve. There were present: The Mayor (Mr J. Chrystall) and Crs. Bryant, Parkin; Rand, Pearson and Thompson. The following letter was received from the Minister for Lands; —“I have to acknowledge receipt of your letter regarding-the acquisition of the Round Bush for scenic purposes, and note your remarks with respect to receiving a deputation of delegates from the various local bodies interested to discuss the question with me. Upon further consideration of the matter, however, I do not see that any good purpose would be served by holding a meeting as suggested, The Government valuation of the land is £432, which remains as the basis of any acquisition. If, therefore, the Harbour Board is not prepared to reconsider its decision' respecting the value of the land, any ' conference to discuss the proposal must necessarily prove abortive. So far as the Government is concerned, two courses remain open: cither to take the land cotnpiilsorily under (he Public Works and Scenery Preservation Acts, when the cost of acquisition would be determined by the Compensation Court, and would probably amount to the Government valuation, or let the matter drop until agreement is arrived at. I shall be glad to receive your further remarks in this connection.”

A letter was also read from the Foxton Harbour Board, stating that there was a possibility of the Round Bush question- being settled satisfactorily to all parties without; the necessity of a deputation waiting upon the Alinisters, by a lump sum payment, to inehule the fencing of the land to be transferred. The. probable settlement with the Department was contingent upon the amount the Borough Council was prepared to contribute, and the Board asked for information in this connect ion immediately, so that the matter could lie settled before Parliament closed.

The Mayor said that be bad written three letters to the Alinister for Lauds on the question, and Hie letter read was the last reply received. He had communicated with Mr Hennessy, chairman of I lie Harbour Board, who thought that the Board.would settle on the basis of the Government valuation. The Mayor said he informed Mr Hennossy that the Council would not lie a parly to any extreme valuation. He moved timl the sum of £BO be donated to subsidise the Government grant of £425 towards Ihe acquisition of the Round Bush as a scenic reserve, the said sum oi £BO to he paid out of an amount of £l2O received fur land sold to the Foxton Racing Club. The Alayor said lie was pleased the Harbour Board was now prepared to discuss, the mailer in a reasonable spirit. The Council could not expend the money received for the land sold to the Racing Club except in the,purchase of-other lauds.

Cr. Bryant said that the oilier local bodies in the district should also contribute towards the cost of acquiring the hush. He thought the Council could make heller use of the money proposed to he donated by spending it .on their own reserves. The motion was carried.

It was i'urllier do cak'd that: a loiter bo written tu the lion. 1). 11. Guthrie, Minister tor Lands, recommending the acquisition of the Hound Busli, with the Government valuation as a basis ot purchase or reasonable compensation, to include fencing bush and entrance road to the property, and ottering the sum of £81) to assist the Government grant; also asking that the I'oxton Borough Council have a voice in the management and preservation ot the reserve.