CLOSER SETTLEMENT LEAGUE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9612, 5 October 1909, Page 5

CLOSER SETTLEMENT LEAGUE.

A meeting of citizens interested in the prog'ess of Masterton, called under the auspices of the Closer Settlement aid Industrial L?ague, was held in Mr R. Brown's office Last e/ening. The chair was occupied by Mr J. C. Ewin,ton. Apologies for absence were received from the Mayor (Mr P. L. Hollines) and Messrs A. Eonal 1 and J. Prentice. Mr W. H. Crui ckshank stated that he i.aJ made enquiries as to whether the owners of a suitable property in the Masterton electorate were willing to treat for its sale to the Government for closer settlement. He had ascertained that the matter was to be discussed by the trustees for the estate at a meeting to be held in Wellington this (Tuesday) evening. MrW.B. Ciiennella said he had also made enquiries into the matter, and imparted the information gained to those present. The meeting considered the information given very satisfactory. Mr Hunter thought that if the trustees were willing to sell a price should be_stated, and an option secured over it for three or six months. Mr W. P. Simpson thought that the League should concrete itself on the acquisition of two classes of properties—one class that would cut up into pasoral areas and t'istant from the centres and another ljnd that was nearer to the centres and spjeially Buited tor dairying purposes. Mr Cruickshank favoured the selection of one suitable property, and that its merits be persistently urged upon the Government. Concentrated effort was necessary to be elfective. He also suggested th;.t some effort should be ma h to have the Biihops Reserve cut up for residential purposes. It prevented the extension of the town in that direction, and the time had arrived when this state of things should ha altered. A sub-committee consisting of Messrs T. Hunter, W H. Cruickshank, T. Mackay and W. P. Simpson, was 3et up to deal with th.2 information received in reference to the property referred to above, when the trustees have indicated their willingness to sell or uther wise. Mr T. Mackay brought up the question of opening up the mouth of the Whareama river for fishing and tourists purposes. He read a letter which had appeared in the Wairarapa Age, dealing with" the question, and which contained a lot ot valuable information in reference to the river. Influence had been brought upon the Government to acquire, under the Public Works Act, land for a road to give access to the river. Nc good result, however, had been achieved. Since that time however, the sub-division of the lea Estate had taken place, and a road giving access almost to the river constructed. The purchase of a small reserve would then have to be effected. He moved: "Tbat with the object of obtaining access to the navigable portions of the Whareama river, and opening its waters to the public for fishing, and as a tourist and health resort, negotiations be entered into with the owners of land on the lea Estate in order to acquire a small area of land (not less than three acres) for a public reserve, in the vicinity of what is known as "The Reef," and contiguous to the newly formed road through the ptoperty—such reserve to be located so as to abutt on to the deep waters of the estuary " After considerable favourable discussion the motion was carried and the Secretary was instructed tor negotiate with the owners of the land in accordance with the terms of the motion. Mr 0. N. C. Pragnell and A. Haughey were elected members of the League