THAT STRATFORD PURCHASE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 244, 5 March 1913, Page 4

THAT STRATFORD PURCHASE.

OFFICIAL REPLY TO CRITICISM. Some prominence has been given recently t:j adverse criticisms of the 'Government's action in purchasing certain land at Strafonl for extension of the railway station yard. It has been alleged in effect that the price paid wasi unwarrantably high. A high official of the Railway Department informed a Dominion reporter that the Department courted the fullest inquiry into the transaction. The man who had represented the Department in the matter had lived in the district for many years, and he knew the value of property there, lie had conducted all ,the Department's negotiations for the purchase of land acquired for the New Plymouth deviation. He was, in fact, a most satisfactory man, and a most reliable valuer. The land that the Government had purchased was 39 perches in area, and the price paid was £I2OO. It was" true that the Government valuation was only £470, but it was admitted that the Government valuation did not always represent the true value. The adjoining section. 27 perches in area, known as the Trocadero site, which was valued for taxation purposes at £550, •had been put under offer to the Department for £3500, and private valuers had j said that it was worth as much as | £2500.

After a lot of negotiation, the representative of the Department was advised by the owners that they would not accept less than £I4OO. Ail offer of £l2oo* to cover all contingent expenses, was made to them, and it was finally accepted, after a little delay. Had the Department gone to the Compensation Court, it was very doubtful whether they would have made any,better bargain, and in addition they would have been required to pay a considerable sum in costs.