MR. CAUGHEY DEFENDS WESLEY TRUST BOARD

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 179, 19 October 1927, Page 16

MR. CAUGHEY DEFENDS WESLEY TRUST BOARD

“BASE INSINUATIONS”

A defence of the Wesley Training College Trust Board was made by Mr. H. P. Caughey at last evening’s meeting at Mount Roskill to consider amalgamation with the city. “An attack was made by a speaker last evening on the motives of the board,” said Mr Caughey. “The property referred to was a grant to the €*arly Methodist missionaries, as an endowment for educational purposes. “For over 60 years a small college, used principally for the education of Maori boys, was conducted on the Three Kings property. About 1914 a farm property of 800 acres was purchased at Paerata, and to-day there is established there an up-to-date agricultural college with accommodation for 120 boys. GIFTS TO THE PUBLIC “That beautiful property known as Waikowhai Park, with its beach frontages. was a gift to the public from the Trust. In connection with the subdivision of the Three Kings property, the trustees have agreed to set aside the hill known as the “Big King” as a public reserve. The value of this gift, together with a small area of native bush which will also be given, exceeds £20,000. “Yet no voice was raised at last evening’s meeting as a protest to the base and unworthy insinuations made against the Trust I have the honour to represent. The small increase in rates is a comparatively minor consideration to the board. A far more important matter is the development of the whole district, and this is only possible by the extension of the trams beyond the present Mount Eden. Dominion Road and Edendale termini. MR. GEORGE WINSTONE

“While defending the Trust. I wish to refute a similar base insinuation made against one of our most respected citizens, who until recently was a large ratepayer. Mr. George Winstone pioneered the Roskill district and conducted farming operations on a large area until his property was subdivided. Mr. Winstone has not only j given Mount Roskill as a public re- | serve, but is also giving a flat area of ; 12 acres of most valuable land. “The attack made last night by the | same speaker on the Press and on : many of our public citizens, including members of the present council, was unjustified, and is certainly not endorsed by the citizens of Auckland.’’