TOWN LANDS TRUST.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 2087, 5 September 1885, Page 2

TOWN LANDS TRUST.

The regular meeting of the Trust was held last night in the Council Chambers. Present—Messrs Gapper (in the chair). Feist, Perry, Muir, and Parsons. The Treasurer reported a credit balance of £lB 7s 9d,

Mr Beetham wrote, re tho exchange of reserves, that he had duly received a valuation, both from the Secretary of the Trust and Mr Sellar, and thought they would be able to arrange matters. The question was whether there would be time to get it fixed up this session and the clause inserted in the Special Powers and Contracts Bill.

A form was sent by Mr Bunny for the Trustees to sign, consenting to a mortgage of part of Town Acre 72. Also from the lessee of Town A ere No 2, assigning part of his interest to Mr Rawson.

An application was received from the Fernridge school for a grant of £2O for paving the circle of the swing, metalling the wet weather shed, and for books for the library, The applicants reminded the Trustees that there wore manv settlers in that district belonging to the Small Farm Association whose children were entitled to participate in the benefits of the Trust.

Mr Gapper moved and Mr Muir seconded, that the sura of £ls be granted. Several members spoke on the subject of the grant, the general opinion being that laying blocks round the swing was a mistake, The motion was, however, carried,

The application of Mr Raweon was considered, and it was found that the application included a right of way of 20 feet,

Mr Muir moved and Mr Parsons seconded, That the application of Mr Rawson be granted, subject to the 20 feet right of way being excluded,—Carried,

The application of Mr Russell was acceded to, on the motion of Mr Feistj soconded by Mr Muir,

Mr Muir asked how tho rents were coming in?— The secretary said there were several of the June rents not yet in, The chairman asked what position Mr Morris' section was in ?—The secretary stated that the matter waß in the hands of the solicitor, who was only waiting instructions to prooeed against him. There had been a prospect of the matter being arranged in the interests of Mrs Morris, and tho arrears paid, but it had fallen through.

The chairman suggested that the high ground in front of the sections south of the .Royal Hotel should be levelled off flush with the footpath, and, if the Trust was willing, he would suggest in the Council that tliH gravel be taken from there as required. It was resolved that the secretary tako steps to recover the arrears of rents from section 24, occuried by Mr Morris. The same instruction was given the case of section 44,

Mr Muir moved the motion standing in his name, viz., That the present inter-' est of the buildings be valued by one or more valuators, to be appointed by the Trustees and the person interested, such value to be a first charge on the property at the expiration of the present lease, and to be deducted from the amount of compensation paid to the present lessees in the event of their not obtaining a continuance of the lease, or paid by them if again successful, He stated if the resolution was adopted it would encourage lessees to improve their properties during the currency of their term, and also induce them to keep their present buildings in

repair, as on that would rest the amount of compensation, and a better olftssof buildings would probably be erected. Another thing was that persons need not hesitate to make improvements even if their term was drawing to its oloae, as compensation. would be given for the value of buildings at the end of the term. The Chairman said that tenants were bound by the conditions of their lease to keep a'l buildings in repair. Mr Muir said properties would be valued now, and allowance made for additional improvements. He knew of one or two who -would immediately erect more extensive buildings if the resolution was carried,

The Chairman said if anyone wanted to build and had only a shoit term to run of the present lease, they could como to the Trust and arrange for a new lease at a higher rent.

Mr Muir said people were under the impression that the Trustees would raise new rents too high. The Secretary said there would be some considerable difficulty in embodying the resolution in present leases. He thought new leases would bo required to be made, The caso of Mr McKillop was cited, who had only four years to run, and who would not improve in consequence. In answer to Mr Feist the Secretary, said the ground rent was only £2 5s forhalf an aore.

Mr Gapper said he would be glad when leases of acre 88 all fell in, as he was in favor of widening that street right through to the Waipoua river a uniform 10 feet.

In answer to Mr Feist the Chairman explained that Mr Muir's resolution did not cancel present leases, but any improvements that were made on lease properties from the present time to the expiration of the present leases would be compensated for. Mr Perry thought there would be considerable difficulty in arriving at a valuation, and considerable difficulty would be experienced in dealing with amounts of compensation, The Chairman said they had Mr Muir's idea 011 the matter, and he thought it would be better to adjourn the further discussion for a month, It was pointed oijt that the motion of Mr Muir had not been seconded.

The Chairman seconded the matter fro forma.

Leavo of absence was granted Mr Hare, and the meeting adjourned.