Reclamation

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, Issue 178, 13 July 1927, Page 7

Reclamation

Harbour Endowmeut Land COUNCIL’S PROPOSAL TO PURCHASE BOARD JiOT PREPARED TO SELL Following the deputation from the Napier Borough Council on Monday evening in connection with the reclamation of some 500 acres of the Napier Harbour Board endowments, the matter was discussed by the board yesterday, who were not favourably disposed to selling any of its’ land. After a lengthy discussion, in which the board expressed its desire to proceed with reclamation and hoped for the co-operation of the Napier people in getting their bi*, through Parliament during this ses-" sion, it was agreed that a committee consisting of Messrs Jull, Roach, and Eriksen should meet the Borough Council with a view to co-operation and mutual understanding between the two bodies in the matter of reclamation. The discussion arose over the following recommendation by the works committee of the board as a result of their consideration of the requests made by the deputation from the council which waited on the board the previous evening:—

“That a reply be sent to the council stating that the board regrets it cannot see its way to assist in promoting legislation to alienate some 500 acres of the board's lands as proposed, and further, that the council be informed that tlie board itself is at the moment promoting legislation to authorise a loan ot £25,000 for the purpose of reclaiming the Awatoto block and finishing off the reclamation of the 28-acre block alongside the Taradale.road, the total area in the two blocks being approximately 618 acres, and the council should be asked to. wholeheartedly assist the board in this legislation.'’ RECOMMENDATION OPPOSED. Mr. P, Higgins, in opposing the recommendation of the board in committee. stated that the Borough Council’s only desire was land for expansion. The board should recog. nise that the borough of Napier had certain inherit rights. In its proposals it did not intend to encroach upon.the project that the board had in view. The 28-acre block would provide about 135 sections, which would be taken up within twelve months. This was much more adjacent to the town than the area that the board proposed to put on the market. If the board decided to reclaim the Richmond block an answer would be given to Napier’s need, but there was no suggestion of anything like that.

A DEFINITE CHALLENGE. Mr. P. W. Peters did not consider that the board’s reply was in keeping with the plea put forward by the council for co-operation. The council had thrown out a definite challenge, in that if the board did not accede to their request it would have to do something and do it quickly. He was of the opinion that the board was not the most competent body to do the work and considered that it should be done by private enterprise. Mr. J. Vigor Brown stated that there were a large number of people working in Napier who were obliged to live in Hastings and Havetocu because there was no toom in r them to live near their work. If the council took over the 500 acres and improved it as proposed it would greatly increase the value of the board’s remaining holdings. ENDOWMENTS SHOULD BE HELD. Mr, G. F. Roach stated that the question of reclamation was particularly necessary, but it should be remembered that the endowments owned by the board should be held by the board. In that matter lie was in full agreement with the chairman. Mr. J. J. Langridge also could not agree to the board sacriUcing its endowments. The board had done considerable preparatory work and when there wa s value in sight for it someone wanted it. If the council got behind the board in its proposed project unlimited areas would soon be made available for residential purposes. He hoped that the inembers would regard the board’s project as a business proposition. Mr. .1. 0. Jones pointed out that when the board’s bill was before the Hbnse last session it was turned down, although it was strongly supported by a number of Napier’s leading citizens. “Had there been no opposition to the majority of the board, and we had been able to proceed with ou r policy by virtue of the ballot box. I venture to say that Napier now would have more land available than could be taken up,” he said.

Mr. j. C. Bryant pointed out that the bill was turned down because another matter was tacked on to it. It had been said that the board was the better body to do the work but be doubted it. All the borough asked was. that the land should be made available for settlement. as the board proposed to go ahead with the Awatoto block the council proposed to go ahead with the other block so a s not to interfere with the hoard in any way. In reply to Mr. Langridge Mr. Bryant stated that all the mcmliers were pledged to support the board’s proposals. SYMPATHY WITH NAPIER PEOPLE. Mr. A. E. Goodger expressed his sympathv with the Napier people in their quest for land, but in connection with the board’s endowments he was not in favour of them being disposed of to the Borough Council Mr. Eriksen asked if there was some way in which the council could do the work and the board not lose anything by it. CHAIRMAN’S REPLY. Mr. Jull. in reply, stated that in last year’s bill the provision was mad© for the reclamation of 60 acres at the Port, the values for which would, have been a much better financial proposition for the board than those now suggested to be reclaimed. He was like other speakers, strongly against the alienation of the board's lands. Ho instanced many years ago. of how the Napier High School Board had a large-endowment which they sold in order io build a high school Quite recently the estate was valued at £160,000, and the •ebflnl was now rotten. Tbs High

School Board then came to the'board for land for a new school. The area that was to be subdivided into small areas was 35 acres, while the 590 acres was. to be divided into larger areas which could be further subdivided into smaller areas as required. The proposals by the council were most crude. Other centres had not given over their endowments for other bodies to reclaim . Before long some valuable lands would be reclaimed by spoil from the harbour. AN AMENDMENT. Mr, Peters moved as an amendment that the matter h© deferred and that a committee consisting of Messrs Jull, Eriksen, and the mover confer with the council on the matter. Mr. Goodger, in supporting the amendment, stated that he was opposed to the sale of endowments and was of the opinion that the board was the proper’ authority to do the work In meeting the council he thought that friction might be obviated and co-oneration to some extent brought about. ’

The amendment was carried by nine votes to four. Messrs Jull Lowe, Langridge, and Anderson voting against it.

At the Napier Borough Council’s meeting last evening the reclamation committee was appointed to meet tKe board s committee.