HAWTRY ESTATE

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 91, 14 October 1931, Page 11

HAWTRY ESTATE

INCLUSION IN JOHNSONVILLE?

EVIDENCE BEFORE COM-

MISSION

The Commission set up to discuss the application of certain property owners on the Hawtry Estate,- at present within the area o£ the Makara County Council, for inclusion within the JohuBonvilfe Town District, met this morning. The Commission was presided over by Mr. H. W. C. M'Tntosh, Commissioner for Crown Lands, and associated with him was Mr. K. Self, district valuer. Mr. A. A. Moore, chairman of the Johnsonville Town Board* Mr. A. H. Carman, a member of the Johnsonville Town Board, and Mr. IT. Piekford, clerk to the Makara County Council, were present, as well as many others. Mr. E. M. Sladden represented the Johnsonville Town Board, and Mr. J. Halliwoll the petitioners. It was explained during Ihc hearing that in the Makara County the rating is on capital value, and in Johnsonville on unimproved value. Mr. Halliwell maintained that ■ tho incidence of taxation, -would be more fair and equitable in the Johnsonville Town District. In the Hawtry Estate, although much land was farmed, some was held for speculative purposes. Mr. Moore said that if tho Hawtry Estate came into the Johnsonville Town District, the board, for drainage purposes, would want to take in all the watershed area, the watershed area being all the laud sloping into Johnsonville from the hills. There was ,1 time when a compact was entered into between tho Town Board and the County Council for the Town Board to take in the Hawtry Estate, and Makara would take over what is known as Newlands. Makara had taken over Ncwlands, but nothing had been done over the Hawtry Estate. This was before his term as chairman of the board. Mr. C. E. Eraser, who represented those who objected to the proposed inclusion of the Hawtry Estate in Johnsonville, opposed the proposal on the grounds of a probable considerable rating increase. He doubted'that bettor facilities would be provided in water and drainage. Others who objected to the proposal for inclusion in Johnsonville said that tho roads in Makara compared very favourably "with those in Johnsonvillo, ono speaker stating that tho roads in Makara were a credit to the County Council, and were all that could bo expected.- . A speaker said.that he hved^ close to the Hawtry Estate, and considered that his estate, with others, should be included in it. Their land was for residential purposes, and they did not receive water and drainage benefits corresponding to the rates they paid. Almost all those present spoke cither for or against the proposal. After the evidence had been heard Mr. M'lntosh said that tho Commission would visit the area this afternoon and would report in due course to the proper quarters.