Council split on bill

Press, 15 December 1977, Page 2

Council split on bill

Westport reporter i i The Buller County < Council is split on action 1 to recover the $l9OO , claimed from Mr Owen ] Wilkes for the demolition of his house near Puna- 1 kaiki. The casting vote of the < chairman (Mr W. J. Mumm) was required for i the council to decide to seek advice from its I solicitor about recovery of < the money. Cr Mary Farnworth moved that the council < write to the Minister of Internal Affairs asking for

advice, but on this motion the vote was split four each way, Mr C. R. Brookes abstaining. The council demolished the house at Perpendicular Point nearly a year ago. They sent the $l9OO bill for demolition in- March to Mr Wilkes, who is in Oslo on a Peace Research Fellowship. The council also registered the charge against the title of the land, which Mr Wilkes owns jointly. Mr Wilkes has stated he does not intend paying the demolition costs. “The question is whether this council car-

ties this debt and makes the ratepayers meet the shortfall, 5 ’ said the Town Clerk (Mr R. M. EUey). Cr Mumm said: “Something must be done as it has cost the ratepayers $l5O already in interest on the debt.” Mr Elley said he felt that the council should sue for the recovery of the money. Mr Elley also explained that the Lands and Survey Department was willing to purchase the 46-hectare property for a reserve. But the approach must come from Mr Wilkes and the other joint owner.