MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

West Coast Times, Issue 623, 23 September 1867, Page 2

MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

A special meeting of the Municipal Council was held on Saturday evening. Present — His Worship tho Mayor, Crs Prosser, Shaw, Anderson, and Clarke.

SALE 01' TOWN LANDS

Tho Council resolved itself into Committee of tho whole, for the ♦purpose of considering a recommendation to be mado to the Government respecting the sale of the Town Lands.

Cr Shaw said, that the occupants of land in Hokitika might be divided into three classes. _ First, those who occupied lands in Hokitika before the town was withdrawn from tho operation of the Goldfields Act. He believed, however, the difficulty with regard to that class might be got over, by the Government considering those lands still under the GoldfieWs Act. Then there was another class of persons who had bought their lands from the original occupiers, and upon which many extensivo improvements had been made ; but it was not so much their case that the Council liad met to consider, as tho case of a third class, who in many cases had cleared Crown Lands outside the trianglo aud occupied them. Now, without something was done to relieve those persons they would, if their lands wero sold under tho present regulations, be considerable sufferers. Of course legislation by tho General Assembly would be necessary to give relief, but ie would bo for the Council to suggest to tho Government what was really wanted. Tho Mayor said — that although the Town of Hokitika had been withdrawn from tho operation of the Goldfields Act, yet it was a question whether the clauso regulating the sale of lands under that Act, could not be applied to the towns of Hokitika aud Greymouth. Cr Shaw said— that the cases to which ho had alluded were tho3o persona who had occupied lands in tho vicinity of tho Tramways, and who in many cases had clearod tho bush and crectod buildings theroou. Ho certainly thought that such persons should, in the event of those lauds being put up for sale, either havo compensation for their improvements, or bo allowed the option of purchaso at a moderate price, say 5$ or 10s por foot frontage Tho Mayor aaid — that what ho wanted to ascertain was — on what terms those who wero in unauthorised possession of Crown lamb should bo allowed to purchase them ?

Or Ecclesfiold — At ton shillings per fool frontage. Cr Andoraon thought that this ought to apply to those porsons who had built houses on the west side of Eovell street, from Stafford street northward.

Cr Prosser thought that the parties who had occupied lands without the triangle certainly ought to bo allowed to take up their land at 10s pel* foot frontage.

A conversation now ensued during which Cr Ecclesfield said that ho trusted steps would be taken to prevent the lauds being jumped by speculators, who would endeavor to get them at a low price, Tho conversation terminated in the following resolution, which was moved by Cr Prosser, and seconded by Cr Shaw, boing passed unanimously : —

" That it is the opinion of this Council that all town lands outside the triangle having improvements thereon to tho value of L 25 should be offered to tho occupants in possession at the rate of 10s por foot frontage, and that in the event of the offer not being accepted within one month after such offer has been made by proclamation in tho ' Government Gazette,' and in one or more papers published in Hokitika that tho said land bo submitted to public aiiction at tho upaet price of L 43 per acre, and if purchased by any person ov persons other than tho occupants, valuation to be added to the purchase money and paid to the occupant. The said valuation to bo decided by assessors." Cr Shaw suggested that the Council should pass a resolution requesting the Government to lose no time in settling the question, for although, he had the greatest confidence in the Goldfields Siocretary, yet he was also aware that Governments were apt to move very slowly. The Mayor aaid that the Government wore taking steps in the matter, in fact he believed that a Bill was now "before tho Asgembly on tho subject. Cr Shaw thought it would also bo (veil to recommend to tho Government tho advisability of laud sales taking place more frequently than they had done. Tho Mayor said that any person wishing lands to bo put up for sale had only to pay a dopouit, ana when a sufficient number of these wero received tho lands would be sold. Tho Council then adjourned.