NEW DOMAIN

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 145, 11 February 1932, Page 6

NEW DOMAIN

COUNTY RESERYE NGONGOTAHA PROPOSAL TO PURCHASE AREA DEPUTATION SUCCESSFUL For some months past the residents of Ngongotaha have been negotiating with the Rotorua County Council to obtain legal control of a piece of land in the village, now being used as a reereation reserve. The land is at present held on lease by trustees, but a more secure tenure is desired so that necessary improvements can be made. The council has expressed its -willingness to sell the section for £200, and yesterday a deputation, eonsisting of Messrs. H. M. Martin, Burney and Burrows, met the couneillors to further discuss the position. Mr. Martin pointed out that a considerable sum of money — about £140 in all — had been provided by the public for improvements. It would make it more satisfactory to the contributing bodies and the public generally if the land were vested in the Crown as a public reserve. They were anxious to know if the council would accept a small deposit and extend final payment over a period of years. No funds were available at present to purchase right out. The present lease had 15 months to run, and the trustees were quite agreeal)le to surrender. By following this course the land would be secured to the public for all time, and he hoped the council would make the terms as light as possible and the period for payment as long as possible. Within Five Years The chairman pointed out that once the land was vested in the Crown the council's security would be gone. Mr. Burney assured the couicil that if it could meet the wishes of the deputation the section could be paid for within five years. They had raised £100 in eight months, which was an indication of what could be done. The money was assured. Mr. Burrows urged the council to act quickly and treat Ngongotaha as well as it could. In reply to a question, Mr. Martin said the village wanted the land as a domain to hold for all time. Cr. A. L. Keith: Would it be possible for you to give a joint and several guarantee. Mr. Martin: Yes. We recognise that the council must have some substantial security. J have no doubt that we can get satisfactory guarantors and there would be no difficulty in finding the money in five years. The chairman realised that the control of the domain was for the public benefit, and the council would do its best, but difficulties arose over the unpaid portion of the purchase money. Mr. Martin pointed out that if they went to a bank for money they would have to pay interest, but if the land were vested in a domain board, they could apply for a grant for improvements. Mr. George Urquhart, county solicitor, suggested that the council should extend the present lease for five years with the right of purchase. The trustees could function as a domain board and raise money to pay for the section as soon as they chose. Otherwise, working on a guarantee, they would probably go the full five years before finding the money. By that time guarantors might have left the district and the council be faced with trouble. When this aspect was placed before the deputation, Mr. Martin thought it would be more satisfactory to the various interests if the land were vested in the Crown. The chairman then declared that the council would find some way to meet the wishes of the deputation and enable the section to be acquired on a guarantee for £200.