The Wairarapa Daily. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1882. THE MASTERTON TOWN LANDS TRUST.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 4, Issue 1202, 12 October 1882, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1882. THE MASTERTON TOWN LANDS TRUST.

The monthly meetings of the above Trust, once so turbulent, have latterly been so placid that they havo attracted very little public attention or consideration, There was a slight ripple at the last annual election which promised to develop into a splash, but it died away and, apparently has been •forgotten. On that occasion Messrs McCArdle and Gapper intimated their intention of reforming the antiquated and'unprofitable system wler which buildings leases- have : been hitherto issued,, but apparently these members, of .the Trust who, like new brooms, were to sweep'all" before, them, have been |oq much; occupied with other business to begin tjje. work to which they pledgebl themselves,. A time has now arrived when the public will expect a little life, to be infused into the proceedings of this body, its hall is burnt—will the Trustees' rebuild it or. will they appropriate .the insurance'to other purposes. There is no good reason why the hall should be re-built unless it-is- re-erected ona somewhat more pretentions and convenient plan than the old structure. If, on the ■ other hand,' the Trust is to pocket the insurance money and apply it to other purposes, will such a' transfer of money, appropriated for a specific object, and part of which consisted of private donations', be legitimate? Our local contemporary suggests that the half acre on which the Town Hail stoqd sjionld be given to the Government as a si,tfl for 'a court house, We should not be sorry Jo. see such a proposal carried out, one strong objection to it which .will probably prove fatal; The half acre in question is certainly worth £BOO, perhaps a great deal more. The Trustees will naturally ask: "why should we take a sum of £SOO from the educational institutions we are: [supposed to benefit and give it to the Government? ' Why should not the Government buy the land from us?" There is indeed a better prospect of the Government buying the half acre than there is of the Trust giving $ &way. If the Town lands Trustees could pose of the half acre and add ;it3 pro-! ceeds to the insurance money they will receive they, wonld bo in & position to. erect on the old school acre a Public Hall which would be a credit to the town. 'We hope the Trustees [ will convene a special meeting to talk over the' position in which they are.placed by the.loss of their hall; It is a qnesfcion which is surrounded with many difficulties, and one on which any hasty action-would be injudicious, .Still it.is one which, will have to be settled, and. th em qre jfyeely it' is discussed the better wjjl be the'chance.,of adjusting it in is best calculated to promote the of both 'the. town'; and the trust. It jha? .been rumored, that tie Wairnrap'a 'Association which preceded the Town Trust agreed to let

She GoveWamehti ha^' of )M prfrbiit this,;kppMitiori : ;:K;aljßgether unfounded, Absolution daliedjthe 16tl( Association specifically offers the':■•.Government half, an-aipre only as a site for its building! The Government has not a'vestige ofeither alegal or a moral.claim to. toe-site on whichthe old Town Hall was erected; ! :! '■'