PUBLIC RESERVES.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 31 July 1924, Page 9

PUBLIC RESERVES.

CLAIMS FROM PRIVATE OWNERS. FIVE PER CENT. CONTRIBUTION. (.BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION.) WELLINGTON, July 31. The enforcement of the provision in the Land Act for the taking of 5 per cent, of the areas under subdivision for public reserves was the subject of a deputation to the Minister for Lands to-day. The deputation consisted chiefly of representatives of publicbodies in Christchurch.

Mr. Bridge, representing the Dominion Institute of Surveyors, said the laud in question was both town and country land, and the provision for a 5 per cent, contribution to reserves was felt to press very hard. The- rule at present was no area- under four acres should -be- asked to furnish a reserve. Reserves -should be of some ieal public .utility, and the- institute had no objection to reserves being taken .from large areas on subdivision, but the area reserved should be of real benefit to the community. The speaker quoted instances of hardship on property owners on proposed subdivisions, and asked that more reasonable interpretation should be given. Mr. Beswick (representing the Canterbury Law Society), and Messrs. Witty, McCombs, Armstrong and Sullivan, M.P.’s, also spoke. r lhe Minister, replying, said no doubt, the subdivision of land in country districts was hampered by adherence to the strict letter of the law, and anything that hampered reasonable subdivision was not good for the community. He would like to say that many public bodies were protesting -against any interference- with the law, but probably this was in io-n or _ ance ot the suggestion of a 5 per cent, monetary contribution, in lieu of the land. If they could get a better system whereby subdivision ivould be encouraged he was quite sure some of the pastoral land now in large areas would come into subdivision more quickly., and that was desirable If anything were done duriim the’ pres ® nt it should be in a General town Planning Bill.