MAUNGATAUTARI RANGE.

Putaruru Press, Volume IV, Issue 146, 19 August 1926, Page 4

MAUNGATAUTARI RANGE.

DECISION TO PURCHASE. By Matamata Council. At the Matamata County Council meeting- last Friday Cr. E. J. Darby outlined the result of his interview with the Minister of Lands in regard to the purchase of the top of Maungatautari range. The Minister (Hon. Mr. McLeod) had been very sympathetic and had offered to find 15s per acre of the purchase money. The bedrock price was 25s per acre, and this left a sum of over £I9OO to be found by the local bodies concerned, as th,e area was 3850 acres. Cr. Judd suggested that the balance of the cost should be split into three parts, two of which would be borne by the Matamata County Council and the Waipa County Council, and the other share to be borne by the Cambridge Borough Council and the Leamington Town Board combined. If the purchase were financed by the Government it would not be a big burden as the county’s share would amount to only about £45 per annum for < the period of the loan. In view of this he moved the following resolution:— “ That the council favour the acceptance of the offer made by the Hon. Minister of Lands, that the Government find 15s per acre of the purchase money.” Cr. Wilson objected to the proposal, stating that all their money was needed for roads. Cr. Cox agreed, stating that the reserve was not needed. He did not agree with a proposal to spend money to assist rainfall. So far as his riding was concerned, they wanted to prevent it. (Laughter.) Cr. Dee thought that a question like this should go before ratepayers. Cr. Anderson pointed out that the expense of going to the ratepayers would cost several years’ interest. Cr. Judd in reply stated that the range was a natural condensor. Trees planted on the fiat as at Putaruru would not have the same effect. On the motion being put it was carried, Crs. Wilson, Cox and Dee voting against it. Discussion then centred on the remaining resolutions, which dealt with the apportionment of the cost and the financing of the purchase. Eventually both were carried unanimously as follow: “1. That this council urges upon the Waipa County Council, the Cambridge Borough Council and the Leamington Town Board the acceptance of same, and suggests that the shares be apportioned as follow : One-third by the Matamata County Council, one-third by the Cambridge Borough Council, and one-third by the Waipa County Council and the Leamington Town Board jointly. “2. That this council suggests that in the event of the necessary agreement being arrived at between the four local bodies concerned, that the Government be asked to survey off the area required to conserve the bush-clad slopes, and take the necessary steps to acquire same, and to arrange the finance for the local bodies by way of a loan with sinking fund, and pass the necessary legislation validating the purchase of same if necessary.”