TO PROCEED

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 54, Issue 32652, 30 November 1945, Page 5

TO PROCEED

BIG RECREATION SCHEME AREA AT MANGATARATA DECISION OF PLAINS COUNCIL A decision to proceed with the raising of a loan of £2OOO for the purpose of purchasing a property of 149 acres at Mangatarata which is to be developed into a recreation reserve was made at the November meeting of the Hauraki Plains County Council. The domains committee of the council reported that they had considered the proposition and made the following recommendations; — "The council raise a loan of £2OOO by special order for acquiring the property for recreational purposes providing contributions' of £l2oo' are forthcoming from interested persons and £5OO grant from the Department of Internal Affairs and a permit for an art union of £5O value be applied for by and granted to the voluntary organisation at Mangatarata. The council to not make any cash contribution to the purchase price of the property, but to assist in development after purchase.

It was also recommended that the council retain title and control of the property after purchase until its liability for loan ceases, but that any surplus over annual loan charges received by way of revenue from the property be not retained by the council, but regarded as the property of the contributors, to be used for development of the property and subsidisable by the council in accordance with its policy governing reserves. When the loan is finally repaid l , the council to vest the property as a recreational reserve in a board of trustees representing the interests which have taken the initial steps in acquiring the property. The council to have three representatives on the board of trustees. The council to ask the voluntary organisation to confer with the council’s domains committee with a view to the appointment of an advisory committee to work in conjunction with the council or its domains committee in the control and development of the property after it has been acquired. The chairman, Mr C. W. Parfitt, said in his opinion the proposition was very sound. He considered the grazing would more than pay the interest account and possibly some of the capital.

The county clerk, Mr E. A. Mahoney said the committee interested in the scheme had received advice from the Minister of Internal Affairs tEat a grant of £509 was available if the property was purchased. The report was adopted. Speaking to a,Gazette representa T

tive the secretary of the West Hauraki Plains Recreational Voluntary Committee, Mr C. E. Rayner, who are interested in the proposition, stated that- in advising thaiT the grant of £5OO would be available the under-sec-retary of the Department of Internal Affairs, Mr J. W. Heenan, had written as follows: — “ May I congratulate the settlers on the splendid effort they are making to acquire adequate recreational facilities for the people of the district. It is indeed an inspiration and an example for others to follow.”