ESTATE FOR N.Z. PREMIERS

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27641, 23 April 1955, Page 8

ESTATE FOR N.Z. PREMIERS

OFFER DECLINED BY GOVERNMENT RESIDENCE IN QUEEN CHARLOTTE SOUND (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) PERTH, April 22. The New Zealand .Government has declined the offer of a New Zealandborn naval officer, Captain Harry Howden, R.N. (retired), to give his family estate in Queen Charlotte Sound to the nation as a Prime Minister’s residence. ■ * Yesterday, Captain Howden, who served" with distinction in many Australian naval posts, was a passenger through Frfemdntle from England in the liner Orcades, . He said, that he had then received no reply to his offer. Captain Howden said he was making a quick trfp to New Zealand because the caretaker’s reports said that his estate, Furneaux, on the slopes of Mount Furneaux, overlooking Queen Charlotte Sound, had been damaged by flood waters. Captain Howden said that Furneaux, with its magnificent view of the sounds, was offered to the New Zealand Government as a Prime Minister’s country residence, similar to Chequers in England. While . the Government was deeply appreciative of the offer by Captain Howden of the Queen Charlotte Sound property as the Prime Minister’s country residence, it had been forced to decline it;because of the isolated situation of the property, said the Prime Minister (Mr Holland) yesterday. Mr Holland expressed deep appreciation of Captain Howden’s geherous offer. —(P.A.)