OTAKI BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Otaki Mail, 31 May 1922, Page 2

OTAKI BOROUGH COUNCIL.

SPECIAL MEETING.

\ special meeting of the Otaki Bor-e.u-ffi Council was held yesterday alternoon. Present: His Worship the Mayor (Ml- j. P- Brandon), C'rs. J. L- BUB. C. Kilsby, 11. Taylor, A. W. Broadway, and li. CockrellThe Mavor stated that the meeting had been called to consider the mauet of compensation to be paid to Mr Mo on account of land taken ior the proposed water-works. At the onset the Council, he said, lmd been asked to pay *709. but there was an understaudm now that if the Council paid £2-«. * Xicol would allow the' contractor proceed with the work. He though an amicable agreement would be much b lor than other proceedings, and vvi be the means of saving both sides considerable expense. He according!} moved that Mr XH-ol’s oiler to allow the Council to proceed with the work and to take land and easement ngtU ior £2oO. be accepted. He thought, perhaps, that some Councillors might think the amount excessive, but tbe} must remember that the works would all-cot Mr Nieol’s land, while pipes and tank would cause inconvenience. Cr. Taylor seconded. Cr Bills tliought the offer a reasonable one, and endorsed the remarks made by the Mayor. . in answer to Cr. Broadway the Major said the area required was mote than iiulf-au-acre. Cr. Broadway considered the pneo 100 high, and maintained HOU to £luO

quite enough. The Mayor pointed out that it the land was taken under the P.W. Act and ii was secured for £159 there would be another £7.7 of expenses to be added. Better, he said, to have an amicable settlement than go 1o Court. Cr. Cockrell cousidcrcd the price mud, too high, despite tin- fact that the Council had to enter on a man’s land. A road would have to be formed later ami Mr Xicul would benelit by an extra frontage. Personally, lie would

like to see -Mr Nieol reduce bis price. Cr. Taylor supported the Mayor, ami said the land was being taken to suit tl,,- Council, lb- maintained it would cost a lot. if taken under the P."- Act. Ci. Kilsby objected to giving £_"" ami moved an amendment that Mr Nieol be asked to reduce his price to £179. He considered the taking of the hind would do no harm, in fact he thought a £lO note would cover all damage. The property, lie contended, would not lie injured, and he thought JI, Nieol should meet the Council. If lm did he would have no cause for regret. The amendment was seconded by Ur. Broadway. It was decided, "n the easting vote Of the Mayor, to pay £2""- He v.-n« supported by Crs. Bills ami Taylor, while Crs. Kilsby, Broadway and Cockrell voted against, this amount The Mayor said in giving his casting vote lie did so in the interests of ratepavers. He considered the Council had done the best tiling and maintained no good would be gained by haggling. The Council could now proceed with tlio work straight away, and thus be aide to And work for unemployed during the winter mouths. Besides, if the matter was held in abeyance the Council might lose the contractor. CT. Kilsby congOitulated the Mayor on bringing the matter to a head, but expressed u hope that Mr Nieol would yet meet them. It was agreed that the Council have immediate right of entry on the property with easement over the river. On behalf of the Council the Mayor thanked Mr Nieol for Hie public spirit in which li-i had met Councillors, and stated what Mr Nieol liad done had been appreciated. He assured Mr Nieol that the Council would do all it could to fall in with his views. A letter was read from Messrs Cooper, Rapley, and Butherford, acting on behalf of Mr Blair, stating they were willing to sell laud by arbitration. The Mayor said £4 per acre was at first asked for 509 acres, a figure beyond all reason. He moved that the Council’s solicitor be instructed to got into touch with Air Blair’s solicitor;; and state the Council was willing to agree with the terms suggested by Mr Blair.—Seconded by Cr. Kilsby and carried. The Clerk was given authority to secure 1200 yards of metal for street purposes.