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Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LII, Issue 8630, 10 July 1924, Page 5

central position and on the best part of the waterfront. Now was the time to act.

Cr Allely asked what was the position in legat’d to the acquisition of Mrs Hardy’s land. The Mayor replied that was a separate proposition, Cr Hammond said ho had known the land referred to in the report for thirty years and had IkV>,u over it on numerous occasions. He had never known certain parts to he dry. It was a dumping ground for water, off a considerable area. Further, lie had it on reliable authority that flood gates bad been tried for keeping the water off tho land and they had failed. It would cost a very large sum to All the area with soil and thus raise it as had I>ceu done on Mrs Hardy’s section. Cr Clinkard thought they should have expert opinion as to whether the land could he.drained. The Mayor was against the motion. Ho admitted that lapd was required for sports grounds. Certain properties referred to in the report would, lie greatly affected by the rating on. unimproved values. He quoted figures, showing the heavy rates that the various owners would have to pay on the lands indicated in the report. He was against acquiring any lands in the area, referred to except Mrs Hardy’s. As soon as lands were to be taken under tho Public Works Act it was remarkable what high values were placed upon them. In support of this he instanced cases which he knbw of in other places where high values had been asked and had to be paid for land taken under tho PdU.lic Works Act.

{’l\ Mullions said all that was asked was to give a chance to vote on the proposal. Cr Whiting said horses were running on Mi* Dickie’s land; other areas enumerated in the report were dry. He thought they should givA the ratepayers a chance to vote or&the scheme. The Mayor, in reply to Cr Jones, said it was proposed to take a, loan poll lor roads, etc., on August 20. Cr Jones said some of the land required draining. It would not take long to get an engineer's report on the drainage. He would support the proposal .

Cr A Holy asked: If the proposal for acquiring land were to be put to the ratepayers would no proposal be submitted for the acquiring of land on higher ground.

The Mayor replied that he understood no alternative proposal would be submitted to the ratepayers. Cr Allely maintained that it would lie* five years before the ground was lit for playing football upon. C'r Scautlebury. in replying", said there would be no difficulty in draining the laud, but expert advice might be obtained. He indicated the methods that should be adopted in drainage and levelling operations. He would like the ratepayers to be given the opportunity of voting on the proposal. Cr Allely .maintained that no one could walk down Eighth Avenue dryfooted. Cr Scantlebury's motion was put and carried by seven votes to three, the Mayor. Crs Allely and Hammond voting against it. Cr OHard did not vote. The Mayor asked that his name be recorded against the motion. Cr Beale moved—-That Mr Smallfield he asked to report immediately as to the feasibility of draining the land. — Seconded by Cr Cl in hard and carried. Cr Jones moved—That the Special Committee- be empowered to determine whether the loan be proceeded with after receiving the reiK>rt of Mr Smallfield. —Seconded by Cr Beale- and carried.

A grower of'apples in the Wairarapa Avho sent iPd eases of his frith, away during lust season,.^states-that- he uAet aged 22/0 -per-case for them® fliiCLondon market.