COURTHOUSE SITE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8446, 22 May 1907, Page 5

COURTHOUSE SITE.

(To the Editor). Sir,—Your leading article in th Wairarapa Age of the 20th instant puts the question involved in the exchange of lands between the Trustees on the one hand and the Government on the other hand, in a clear light before the voters. When the Minister of Justice excused his department for not providing a decent Courthouse for Masterton. the only reason given was that the land owned by the Government in Masterton was. not suitable, and it was suggested that another site should be provided. It was accordingly proposed that the Trust Lands Trustees make an exchange of their part of Town Acre 2 with a frontage of 75ft to Hall Street and 132 ft to Chapel Street—for the Department's land part Town Acre 2 heaving a frontage of 42ft to Queen Street with a depth of 165 ft. ,An Enabling Act was passed in 1902, so that the exchange could be effected, and the consent of the voters was to be first obtained by a poll under "The Regulation of Local Elections Act, 1876." There was no mention made of any money payment as it was understood that both parties were advantaged. The Government would get a suitable site for a Courthouse —about half as big again as what they gave—and the Trustees would get a suitable site for their public offices or for letting. A poll was duly taken and the consent of the voters given, I think there is not much doubt as to the*fate of the proposal had it included payment in addition to the loss in area. The Trustees are not authorised by law or vote to pay this njoney, and there would probably bs strong opposition to an Act to enable them to do it. I venture to suggest that the coming election affords a first-rate opportunity for ascertaining the views of the voters on the subject. Let the candidates convene public meetings and debate the point, and let the contest be between those candidates who would favour a money payment and those who object. This would give an added interest to the election. —I am, etc.

R. BROWN, Masterton, May 21st, 1907.