“LOOKS EXPENSIVE"

Evening Star, Issue 21054, 17 March 1932, Page 7

“LOOKS EXPENSIVE"

LEASE FOB WATER CONSERVATION EWING’S LAUD AT WHABE FLAT “ It looks expensive water to me,” remarked the Mayor (Mr It. S. Black) at the City Council mdeting last'night when the lease of an arfti of land at Wliaro Flat was under discussion. The Water Committee’s report stated;—“The lease of Ewing’s land at Whare Flat which the council has held for the past twenty years expires on May 31 next. The area comprises 1,604 acres 1 rood 37 poles, together with various buildings which have been of no use to the department, but which the council was under obligation to maintain in good order and condition. The rental during the past ten years has been at the rate of £3OO per annum. As it is desirable that the land, which is in the water catchment, should remain under the council’s control arrangements have been made to take a further lease for five years at a rental reduced to £2OO per annum, the council in addition to pay the sum of £2OO as compensation for’ all buildings on the land excepting a hut and stables, which are to remain tho property of the owners. Upon payment of the £2OO the council is to have the right of forthwith removing and retaining possession of tho buildings in question or any part thereof.” Cr Begg said the buildings had not been used by the department but by campers, motorists, and like people. Unfortunately a proviso in the lease was that the department was held responsible for tho maintenance of the buildings during the term of the lease. The committee was doing all it could to make the best out of a bad job. The land tyas required by the department for water conservation, with a view to prevention of pollution by stray cattle, etc. Cr M.Tndoc said the term of tho lease was being reduced on this occasion from twenty years to five years. Was there any particular object for tho lease being so short? The Mayor asked how much water could be conserved at a cost of £2OO or more a year. Cr Begg replied that the reason for tho short lease was that the council might not require the area after another five years. To tho mayor he replied that ho would have the stream ganged to ascertain its supply. Tho Mayor: It looks expensive water to me. Cr Begg said ho could not say offhand tho amount of water that would be conserved, but lie knew tho stream ■was a very valuable feeder. The Mayor: It ought to be at the price. The report was adopted.