EXTENSION OF AREA

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 242, 10 September 1940, Page 8

EXTENSION OF AREA

MASSEY COLLEGE PROPERTY. COUNTY COUNCIL PROTEST. Strong objection to the acquisition of further land by Massey Agricultural College for which no general rates would be paid was expressed by Cr. T. I). Lynch at a meeting of the Kairanga County Council today. The matter arose as the result of a letter from the Public Works Department advising that on August 6 the Crown acquired from Mr T. E. Conway, of Palmerston North, 20 acres 2 roods.. 38 perches, adjacent to Massey College as land for the Grasslands Division.

The county clerk (Mr N. I. Nielsen) reported that he had forwarded a rate demand to the Public Works Department for the current year, showing the rates on the property as being £25 10s lid. Mr Conway was primarily responsible for the lUtes, but there might be some arrangtlnent with the department. Cr. Lynch maintained that the ratepayers in the Fitzherbert riding were already suffering a great injustice through having to bear the burden of rates that would ordinarily be 'paid on the Massey College land. “I will support the ratepayers to the last ditch in refusing to pay rates where they get no benefit,” he added. Cr. W. G. Shannon asked whether it was necessary for the Government to control so much land. Were taxpayers and ratepayers getting any benefit from such extensive State ownership? Cr. Lynch agreed that Massey College , was carrying out valuable research work, for which the farmers were grateful, but the State should pay general r;Jtes for the area. The matter was deferred until a reply was received from the department.