BUILDING ON A ROAD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 161, 6 January 1912, Page 6

BUILDING ON A ROAD.

AN UNUSUAL CASE. ', , "vAt yesterday's meetingr of the Clifton County, Council, Mr. : T. Mackenzie wrote asking permission to erect a milking shed and windmill on the Waiau road, opposite his property, at Ohanga. His reason for asking for such a concession . was that he 'was a tenant under the West Coast Reserves Act, which only allowed for improvements up to an amount of £5 per acre, and, as the improvements on his holding were already, as revealed .by the recent valuation, assessed at considerably over £5 per acre, he did not feel disposed to incur any' further expense in erecting buildings, yards, etc., which, would, be confiscated: at the iend of his lease in three years' time. He also stated that in re- , ply to a question, the Public Trust agent informed him that there was no way by' which he could secure to himself the fruits of any further expenditure hi improvements, arid as it was his desire to instal milking machines, lie was compelled to; approach the Council on the matter. As there was little or no traffic on the road in question at the point where he suggested building, he hoped the Council would favorably consider the request. Cr. Hicks pointed out that already Mr. ■ Mackenzie's improvements were valued at £7, over £2 per acre above what he would be allowed on completion of his lease. What Was worrying him was how he wa*s going to get this. In fact, he ■ could not get it. It'was a queer, state of affairs. Naturally the lessee did not like ;to increase, his improvements. There were only three settlers on the roa:'! and if they were agreeable he saw no '-' iiection to the Council granting such i per' 'ssion. .. ' ~ 'Hi* chairman suggested that the matter should be held over for a month to interview the settlers interested. - , „ : Cr. O'StiHivan wanted to know if the Council' had power to grant the permission. ...."' Some councillors were' of opinion that, while they had no power to grant permission, they need raise no objection in the event of the shed being erected, Cr. O'Sullivan remarked that the Council would be responsible in case of injury caused to any member of the travelling public as the outcome 6f such erection. ■ The matter was held, over for a month..