CITY CORPORATION LEASES

Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue 87, 11 October 1915, Page 8

CITY CORPORATION LEASES

QUESTION OF A THIRD ARBITRATOR. In connection with the. revaluation of the corporation leases, which are dealt with in the "Washing-Up Bill" now before Parliament, the Mayor (Mr. J P. Luke) pointed out 'that the Leaseholders' Association had urged that the third arbitrator (in the event of the parties disagreeing as to the appointment) should be the senior Stipendiary Magistrate. The question was not a new one ; it had been before the public for some time. At a meeting of the executive and Legislative Committee of the New Zealand Municipal Association held on 15th June last, the following resolution was carried: "Rentals Under Leases. — That the third arbitrator be appointed by the lessor and lessee, and not by the two appointed arbitrators, and may be a Judge of the Supreme Court; and that, failing agreement, the Chief Justice appoint a Judge as third arbitrator." That, added his Worship, had always been the stand he took — that the position of umpire should be occupied by a. Judge of the Supreme Court. However, recognising that the matter had to be dealt with in a manner that would be in the public interest and of the lessees, and of the City Council as the trustees of the citizens, he had arranged with the Hon. G. W. Russell to meet himself and Mr. A. R. Atkinson (Chairman of the Legislation Committee), and the City Solicitor that morning to discuss the question. As a result he had agreed, on behalf of the council, to have inserted in the Bill a clause providing that no further steps be taken under arbitration in respect of leases of Wellington endowments for the period of one year, and that if any leases expire before the valuations are made they shall be held under their present tenancy and pay the present rent, paying any difference when the new valuation is made. It is proposed that the suspension take place until January, 1917, as the Government will, it is understood, introduce legislation on the subject next year.