WAIHI.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 179, 30 July 1900, Page 6

WAIHI.

WAIHI RESIDENCE SITE TITLES,

The question of titles for residence and business site areas is agitating the people of Waihi very much at present, and various suggestions are made as to what ought to be done to give the people a title .that is negotiable, a title that one can with confidence build a home or business place on. A great many of the titles or licenses at present are hardly worth the paper they are printed on, for they are endorsed, that is, they are gTanted subject to the condition that they may be resumed for mining purposes without compensation. This is a hardship on people wishing to make homes here, as under these conditions it is not safe to build expensive houses. Therefore, the all-absorbing topic is, "better titles." The following proposals by Mr A. T. Rosa seem to cover all that is desired:— Ist. That the Government be asked to bring in an Empowering Bill, allowing: all residence and business site holders on Crown lands in Ohinemuri County, to convert their licenses into perpetual leases at present rate of rent, and such leases be subject to the provisions of the Public Works Act as regards compensation; Government to provide ways and means for fund to meet compensation. This suggestion would give every holder in the goldiields as good a title as a freehold. With regard to future holdings, Mr Ross suggests that all licenses granted in future be perpetual leaaes, at a rental of 5 per cent, of valuation; value to be determined by valuation roll in force in district, subject to revision every three years (such rent exempting holder from general rates). This latter proposition would ensure the Government all benefits of unimproved value. Besides these propositions of Mr Ross', there are several othjer remedies suggested, but all are considered objectionable, because they tend to release the companies of their liabilities with regard to compensation, and saddle it on the individuals holding the ground. With regard to the Government providing ways and means to provide compensation fund, it is not likely that any sane representative of the Government would suggest that the present liabilities of the present mine owners would be lessened one whit; but such propositions as Insurance Fund, etc., would do so, therefore they are considered impracticable.