MODEL SUBURB.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1509, 3 August 1912, Page 7

MODEL SUBURB.

AN AUCKLAND PROPOSAL. Tho proposal by the Auckland City Council to acquire the Orakei Native reserve, comprising about 600 acres, as a Bite for a model suburb was explained to the Prime Minister; (the Hon. W. F. Massey) on Thursday by a deputation comprising Messrs. E. T. Michaels and J. C. Gleeson (members of tho council), H. W. Wilson (town clerk), A. M. Myers, II.P. (Auckland East), and J. S. Dickson, M.P. (Parnell). . Mr. 'Myers explained that the Bill which he had introduced pronosed that the -roperty should be valued by tho ValuerGeneral. If the purchase was authorised by a poll of tho ratepayers, it was proposed that the owners should be naid nccording to that assessment,. one-third being paid in cash and the balance remaining on mortgage for twanty-ono years at five per cent. The deputation nsked the assistance of ,tho Government in securing the passing of the measure. Mr. Michaels said that the Orakei reserve was the only large area of land suitable for a model suburb near the city. The late Government had given valunblo assistance, especially by issuing an Order-in-Council to protect the prope.rtv from private speculation and it was in that direction particularly that the help of tho present Government was desired. Tho Prime Minister asked whether tlio Natives were willing to soil. Mr. Wilson explained that the- were willing to sell, but were divided in their opinions as.to whom they should sell to. Several of the own?rs had committed themselves'to private buyers and others.were in communication with the City Council. The.Prireo Minister replied that he knew the block very well, and ho would be ulad to, s°e it nnss.into the possession of the Auckland City Council for the pur-po.-a of being transformed into a model imburb. He was afraid that there were leral difficulties in the way though lie did not want to magnify thorn. The question whether Native land could, bo taken compute-inly except for miblic woi-ks hnd n o vor been nronprlv docid"d nr.d h« did not know how" ih.it fact wniild affeet the proposal. He ; would consult the Minister for Xati'vb Affairs and obtain the cn.'nion "f tho Criwn I.iml officers lwfore the WH camo forward for considerntion. While ho could not commit H"> Oovei'rvwint in any. war he Wil b« willing if there were no Icwil difficulties to assist in the object tho deputation had in view.