NEW COURTHOUSE FOR MASTERTON.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8444, 17 May 1907, Page 5

NEW COURTHOUSE FOR MASTERTON.

MATTER DISCUSSED AT TRUST VOTERS' MEETING;

The question of obtaining a new Courthouse for Masterton was brought up at the meeting of the Trust Lands Trust voters last evening, by Mr A. W. Hogg, M.H.R. Mr Hogg moved: "That it be an instruction from those attending the meeting that the incoming Trustees endeavour to arrange terms with the Government for an exchange of sites for a new Courthouse for Masterton.' The mover stated that it was now more than three years since an Act had been passed enabling the Trustees to take a poll on the question of the exchange of sites between the Trust and the Government. The poll had been carried, and the Trustees were fully empowered to bring about the exchange. The matter had been again and again before the Trust, but nothing definite had been decided upon. Parliament had placed £SOO on the estimates for the work and the speaker assured the meeting of the Government's determination to erect a Courthouse on the Queen Street site unless the Trust made some move in the matter. The indifference of the Trustees was endangering their chance of obtaining a good site for the building!" He could not see why a sitting of the Supreme Court should not be held in Masterton as well as at Palmerston North and I Blenheim. At present any case for ; the Supreme Court had to be heard ' at Wellington, and witnesses, etc., had to go to the inconvenience of a journey to that city. Mr Hogg said it was not very encouraging for him when he had been doing his best to get a new Courthouse for the town to have the matter shelved by the Trust. If the Government section was more valuable than the Trust', sect'on, where the Trustees desired the Courthouse to be erected, they should pay the difference. He did • not think the matter should be "hung up*' any longer. Mr F. W. Temple, in seconding the motion,asked for an explanation from the Trustees present of why they had not so far come to terms with the Government on the matter. The Chairman (Mr Michell) said the Government considered that the difference in value of the two sections was £1,300. He considered that there was not that much difference in the values of the sites. Another reason was that they had not the necessary money to give the Government if they were agreeable to do so. Another thing, if the Courthouse was built on the Hall Street section it would depreciate the value of the Trust section across the street. The Trust were quite agreeable to the exchange if no difference in value was brought into the matter. The Trust were not allowed to have an overdraft, and they could not see their way to incur a debt of £1,300. Mr A. Pickering said he thought the Trust should endeavour to get the government to reduce the amount of the difference in value. Mr 11. C. Robinson asked if the Trust had made any counter offer to , the Goverrment? The Secretary stated that the Trust had intimated to the Government that they were agreeable to pay half the amount asked for. Mr T. Wagg said that Mr C. E. Daniell had interviewed the Govern- i ment on the matter, but no settlement had been arrived at. If the Government were prepared to meet them they would certainly give way. The sum of £1,300 was too much for the Trust to find. Mr A. Haughey said he considered that arbitration should be : resorted to. Mr J. C. Ewington said he hoped the i motion would be carried. The incom- '■ ing Trust could open up fresh negoti- ; ations with the Government, ard no doubt a satisfactory decision would bejirrived at. Mr Hogg said there had really been no business proposal submitted to the Government in any shape or form. He thought that if the Trustees were to go to Wellington and interview N the Minister they could induce the Government to considerably reduce the amount.. Judges and" others ridiculed the present wooden building in Masterton. He thought the Trust should be prepared to make a reasonable bargain. What vexed, him was that the Trustees were making no effort whatever to obtain a new building. Mr Wagg said the Trust were being wrongly blamed. Messrs .Renall and Daniell had been to Wei*' lington and had endeavoured to come to a satisfactory arrangement with the Government, but had failed to do so. » The Chairman: "If the Trust had to raise £1,300, grants to schools and other local institutions would have to suffer." On the motion being put to the meeting it was carried unanimously.