UPPER HUTT LOANS

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 58, 18 September 1928, Page 5

UPPER HUTT LOANS

PAUKS AND DR.UN'AGK Somo time ago the Upper .Hutt Borough Council agreed to lonso Maidslone Park, the woU-known picnic ground in that district, but when the deed of agreement was before the council last night to be approved for signature several councillors expressed dissatisfaction with the general tone of the lease and with the wording of one clause in particular, while others contended that the agreement was quite in order. So that there might be no uncertainty it was decided to hold the matter over until next meeting, and to refer again to the original letter containing the terms on which the owner was prepared to lease to the council. The question of acquiring Barton's Bush then arose. "I think we should approach the ratepayers in this matter," said Councillor Jameson. It is certainly not fair to the Barton Estate to have this held over indefinitely. The next Government may not be so friendly to us regard ing subsidy, and I think _we should proceed immediately to raise a loan." Councillor Duff: "I am in favour of that" Further discussion took place when two letters came before the meeting, both from the- Local Government Loans Board, one notifying sanction to raising a loan of £750 for unemployment relief, and the other stating that the board had considered tho council's application for sewerage loans (£65,000 and £5000), but had deferred a decision until it was known what legislation was passed in the present session relating to classification of lands for rating purposes in boroughs. Further, as an application for sanction to a loan for water supply had been made, it was proposed to make further investigations as regards tho burden of taxation which would bo involved in connection with those additional loans. It was pointed out that the borough needed a Fire Brigade as well as drainago, at Maidstone Park and Barton's Bush. Barton's Bush, said Councillor Johnston, had been hung up since 192;!-. Councillor Jameson: "192-t." He suggested a lease of the property. Tho Mayor: "I am with you there." Councillor Johnston said that if they bought they would get the Government subsidy, lie was in favour of buying Maidstone Park and Barton's Bush. Mi1. Robertson asked if that were agreed to, how would they face the Loans Board? Councillor Johnston: "Pull the drainago out." Councillor Spearman said he did not agree with that. Drainage had been advocated in tho district for twenty years. It was mentioned that (ho West Ward of the borough might "carry Barton's Bush on its own back." Councillor Jameson: "If you can got tho permission of the Loans Board. H all comes back to tho Loans Board. I don't know why it was ever created." (Laughter.) Tho Mayor said that Government officials were obsessed with Otaki, but Otaki had nothing to do with Upper Hutt. "Our drainage scheme has been subjected to tho most searching examination perhaps of any drainage scheme in New Zealand, and lias come through with Hying colours. Councillor Jameson moved that prelininary particulars be prepared re-gM-diiig Barton's Bush preparatory to submission to the Loans Board, Councillor Duff seconding' the motion. Councillor Guthrie said he was not in favour of Barton's Bush at the -present time. Tho Mayor said the matters raised freshened a knotty problem, and it was finally agreed to hold a special meeting to "go through lliu whole issue," Councillor Jameson amending his motion in accordance with that decision. _^____________