DEFENCE LANDS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1008, 26 June 1930, Page 12

DEFENCE LANDS

DEVONPORT COUNCIL TO WAIT ON GOVERNMENT LOSS ON UNRATED AREAS The Devonport Borough Council last evening resolved to send the De-puty-Mayor, Mr. J. Hislop. to Wellington to urge the Government to dispose of the lands at Devonport held for defence purposes, particular emphasis being laid on the fact that Narrow Neck Camp occupies an exceedingly valuable area that could be utilised for residential purposes. Mr. E. H. Little, in moving that Mr. Hislop proceed to Wellington, declared that the time was opportune to strike. The Government wanted survey, and the sale of the lands at Devonport would bring in good cash. All members of Parliament should be familiarised with the project. Deeds, not words, wero wanted! Mr. W. Cassels-Brown vigorously supported Mr. Little. The idea of forts at Devonport was perfectly ludicrous and absolutely Gilbertian. They constituted a definite menace to the City, as they would afford an attacking force a pretext for bombarding the City. The paltry forts could not make any effective reply. The guns only shattered people’s nerves, and the windows of their houses. He was not capable of finding language to express the absurdity of the situation. Air. C. M. Browne interposed that he was informed by military authorities that the North Head was a suitable eminence for controlling the mines laid in the channels leading to the harbour. BENEFIT TO ALL Mr. Hislop: The sale of the land would be a benefit to all New Zealand; the Government would get the sale money or rent, and the borough would get the rates. It is no use ‘ killing the goose” by asking for too muen. Mr. Cassels-Brown: But in this casf we are killing the goose because it is eating its own eggs. Mr. George Falla did not support n previous suggestion that the borough should buy the land and cut it up. Mr. T. Walsh: The Government can cut up the land and sell or lease it. The resolution, authorising Mr. Hislop to proceed to Wellington and secure the co-operation of Auckland members of Parliament in putting the matter before the Prime Minister, was carried unanimously. A deputation from the Rugby Club

asked the council to rev-tew ~ ter of shifting the field flood ij.\ • lencing in the football ground. Hislop and Mr. T. WalshVm*r. to meet the club officials ground. cn til*. The rates for »he vear w... , ally struck and tin balance she-’ 15 ' turned from the Audit UenaA- r '- without a tag was adopted to be printed.