"TOO DRASTIC."

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 180, 31 July 1924, Page 8

"TOO DRASTIC."

CITY EMPOWERING BUX. OPPOSITION TO CLAUSE. The clause in the City Empowering Bill, which makes it possible for the city corporation to dispose of any surplus of appropriated lands at its own valuation without submission to public auction, was censured at the meeting! of Land and Estate Agents' and Land I Auctioneers' Association of Auckland ! yesterday afternoon. i Mr. C. F. Bennett said that though those present would commend Sir James Gunsoifs vigorous policy, when it came to depriving: the private individual of his rights, it was time to pause. The clause he contended gave the corporation too much power, and established a danrrerous principle. He moved: "That, while fully appreciating the efforts of the City Council in its endeavours to further the progress and development of our city and suburbs, the association feels that the City Empowering- Bill as at present drafted—particularly subsection le) of section S—is too drastic in its openition to allow of disposing lands acquired by t!<c City Council without first offering the sime for public auction or public tender.'" The opinion was expressed by Mr. S. C Cvlmore-Williams that the" association had other more necessitous matters to discuss, and that it should not express an oninion ofter studying only I one clause of the bill. " j Mr. Bennett, pressed his motion, which was put to the meeting and carried.