MEMORIAL PARK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 August 1940, Page 4

MEMORIAL PARK

“EXTRAORDINARY POSITION” PROPOSAL TO TRANSFER AREA TO BOROUGH. TRUST PAYMENT IN DISPUTE.

The Masterton Trust Lands Trust advised the Masterton Borough Council, at its meeting last night, that the trustees could only accept as a basis of negotiation, regarding a proposal for the borough to take over Memorial Park, the payment by the Trust of £l5O per annum for a period of 30 years and could not accept the council’s counter-proposal that the Trust should pay £l5O in perpetuity. “Although it was decided at a joint meeting of representatives of the Trust and the Council to make recommendations to the respective bodies that the sum of £l5O be paid by the Trust in perpetutity, I now find this extraordinary position,” stated the chairman of the Park Committee Councillor G. D. Wilson. “I was amazed to read in the ‘Times-Age’ that two of the Trust delegates spoke against the joint committee’s recommendation at the last meeting of the Trust and yet they were in agreement at the committee meeting. I do not think we can get any further when delegates act as inconsistently as that. It seems to me that the Trust is asking us to take over a heavy liability and wants to get rid of the ground.” Councillor H. E. Gardner: “We should stick to our decision.” Councillor W. Kemp: “If the proposal was accepted and the Trust had to pay the sum in perpetuity, the council could reconsider the matter in 30 years’ time and perhaps be prepared to release the Trust.” Councillor G. W. Morice: “I do not think that the Trust should be asked to pay £l5O in perpetuity. Their funds are mainly for educational purposes.” Mr Jordan: “It is very difficult to deal with people who change their minds like the delegates who spoke against their own recommendation at the Trust meeting.” Councillor J. Ninnes: “We should accept the 30 years. We will have to consider the provision of more playing areas some day. From the point of view of health and recreation we should accept the Trust’s offer.” Councillor A. D. Low: “We should support our committee.” It was decided to advise the Trust that the council was abiding by its original proposal that the Trust should pay £l5O a year in perpetuity.