THE EXCHANGE OF SITES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8547, 3 October 1907, Page 5

THE EXCHANGE OF SITES.

FURTHER DISCUSSED BY THE TRUST LANDS TRUSTEES.

GOVERNMENT'S OFFER FINALLY REFUSED.

Further discussion took place at a special meeting of the Masterton Trust Lands Trustees, last evening, on the question of the exchange of sites between the Government and the Trustees.

Mr W. H. Jackson moved, in accordance with his notice of motion, "that the offer of the Government regarding the exchange of sites be submitted to a poll of the Trust voters." The mover urged that the voters should be allowed to decide this important question. No one could say that the people had not the right to have a voice in the matter, and if they were against the exchange he was quite willing to abide by their decision. It was proposed to take a poll of the voters on the proposal to,raise money for building purposes, and it would cost nothing extra to get an opinion from the people on the exchange question. He did not intend to go over the ground already traversed in connection with the subject, but would formally move his motion, hoping that the Trustees would unanimously allow the matter to go to the voters.

Mr E. G. Eton seconded the motion, and expressed himself strongly in favour of the exchange. He said he had received an intimation from Mr A. W. Hogg, M.H.R., to the effect that the delay in the exchange of sites was only retarding the erection of a new Courthouse in the town. A new Courthouse would mark an epoch in the progress of Masterton, as cases from places close to Masterton were now sent to Palmerston North for decision.

Messrs R. Krahagen and D. Caselberg supported the motion. The Chairman (Mr T. B. Michell) said he would oppose the motion for the reason that the question had previously been put to the people and they had instructed the Trustees to deal with the exchange in the best way that they thought fit. Mr Caselberg: Things have altered since then. Mr J. Hessey opposed the motion because he considered that the present Trust site would be more valuable than the Government site in the future. As for allowing the people to decide the matter, he argued that the Trustees were the representatives of the people and as such should decide the question. In the interests of tho voters he could not support the motion. Mr E. McEwen declared that he had heard nothing to make him change bis raind. He would vote against the motion. After further discussion, the motion was put to the meeting, and was lost on the casting vote of the Chairman. The voting was: Ayes Messrs Caselberg, Eton, Jackson, and Krahagen. Noes—Messrs Wagg, Hessey, McEwen, and Michell. The Chairman then moved that the Minister of Justice be notified that the Trustees have .finally refused the offer of the Government. Mr Caselberg urged that such a letter should be allowed to stand over for a few weeks. There was no hurry vet. '* The Chairman: But the Minister has asked us for a definite reply. Mr Caselberg: Well, tell him we are considering it yet. Mr Jackson said he wished to protest against, what he termed, "this arbitrary use of power." "The Chairman," he said, "has a casting vote, and this motion is only forcing us. It amounts pretty well to an insult to the voters." The Chairman: Well, to settle the matter, will those Trustees who are in favour of the exchange come out and oppose those who are against it at the next election? Messrs Hessey and McEwen: I will. Mr Jackson moved an amendment to effect that the reply to the Minister be held over until the return of Mr C. E. Daniell. He said that this should meet the views of the Chairman, because he had favoured that course at the last meeting. The Chairman: You would not have that course when 1 suggested it at the last, meeting. Mr Eton seconded the amendment, and a warm discussion ensued. Crossfiring continued for some time, and on several occasions order had to be called. At last-the Chairman's motion was put and carried on the casting vote of the Chairman, the voting being:— Ayes—Messrs Wagg, Hessey, McEwen and Michell. Noes—Messrs Eton, Caselberg, Jackson and Krahagen. Mr Caselberg: Oh, that casting vote.

The amendment was put and lost on the voices, amid cries of "It's disgraceful!" "It's unseemly!" and "Gentlemen! Gmtlemen!"