MASSEY COLLEGE

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 46, 23 August 1927, Page 10

MASSEY COLLEGE

PURCHASE OF PROPERTY

PALMERSTON NORTH'S DECISION

TO EXERCISE OPTION

(By Telegraph.) (Special to "The Evening Post.") PALMERSTON N., This Day. At the special meeting of the Palmerston North Borough Council held last evening it was decided to exercise the option immediately on the M'Hardy property and take steps to raise the money "authorised by a poll of ratepayers. The Mayor. (Mr. A. J. Graham) said that the matter of the acquisition of the M'Hardy property had been deferred from the last meeting of the council, the feeling being that it would be in the best interests of the country that the property be vested in the college authorities, and he had telegraphed the Prime Minister to that effect. The intention of the council had been, to hand the property over to the Government, which would, it was anticipated, vest the property in the college authorities. The Prime Minister had replied that the. Government would not agree to the council's pro posals, and would not guarantee the handing over,of the property to the College Council. He felt sure, however, that the Government would not let them down, and in handing over the

property to the Government they would attain the object of having, a full university status for the college. It was unfortunate that there were two colleges in New Zealand, but the fact that both Auckland and Wellington gave up their chairs of agriculture to the Massey College showed that support was forthcoming N from those cities. He could not conceive that Palmersion North was going to get merely a day college, but felt sure that the" ratepayers' wishes regarding the college having full university status would be granted, and the college become the Cambridge 'of New Zealand. Every-, thing possible to ensure that end had been; done, and they must trust the Government that far. , He did-not think, the trust, would be betrayed. He moved- that the council. exercise the option on the M'Hardy, property at once, • and take . steps _to . raise the money, as authorised. by ; the ratepayers. • Councillor M. A: Eliott seconded the motion, and. said he felt sure the council was doing the right thing.

Councillor Fitzherbert said it came as a surprise to him to hear that it-was proposed to hand the, property over to the College ■ Council. Unless the property was handed.over to the Government the. college would become a second, Lincoln. He thought also that the council should have been consulted before the telegram was sent to the Prime Minister. He was of the opinion that: the. council should go ahead and hand the property over to. the Government.

The Government .was too autocratic in sending such a reply to the Mayor's telegram, remarked' Councillor Canton. Councillor. Mansford pointed out that the decision of the ratepayers was to hand the property over to the Government.

Councillor Tremaine said he was also under that impression. v ,

Councillor Clausen asked whether access to the native bush was to Tie provided, and was informed that steps would be taken to ensure that.

Councillor Hodgens supported the action of the Mayor in sending the telegram, but said he: did not think such a resolution should have come from him in view of the nature of the Government's reply. It was fairly obvious that they .would not have" a national institution. ,

The Mayor pointed out that the College Council had sent a deputation to the Prime Minister last week with a request that the property be vested in the council, and they Ijad been accorded a. courteous hearing. *■

Councillor Milver ton desired to move an amendment to thb-effect that, as the proposal did not comply with the wishes of the council, no action be taken until the college was built. The Mayor pointed out that it; was a direct negative, and after some argument with the councillor requested him to sit down, which he did, and the Mayor put the motion, which was carried.