THE TWIGGER ESTATE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16602, 14 July 1914, Page 11

THE TWIGGER ESTATE.

PROTEST AGAINST LEASING PROPOSALS. AIEETING OF ADDINGTON RESIDENTS. A meeting of residents of the Addington, Sproydon and Hillmorton districts was held in the Barrington Street schoplroom last evening to protest against tho action of tho North Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Board in calling for tenders for a further seven years lease of the “Twigger estate. Mr' S. A. Staples, the representative of ifhe district on tho AVaimairi County Council, presided, and in introducing the subject expressed his sympathy with tho object of the meeting. Air R. Nairn said that the late Air John Twigger left a largo block of land nearly 2UO acres in _ extent to the Charitable Aid Board in trust, for it to administer. For many years tlio land was let for grazing purposes at a lowrental. Some five years ago tho Board decided to offer a portion of tlio land in front of tho trotting track for sale as building sites. At the time this was proposed a meeting was held in tlie Alexandra Hall to protest against the sale. The protest was not effective, however, as there was subsequently hold another meeting which supported tlie Board in its proposals. AYhon the sections were sold they realised an average of £550 per acre, which, with the cost of roading and reduction taken out, averaged nearly £SOO per acre, giving, at 5 per cent, an annual return to the Board of close on £25 per acre, as compared with a letting value for grazing purposes of £3 to £4 per acre. Another justification for the cutting up of the land, said Air Nairn, was shown by the number of splendid villa residences since built on the property, with the result that tho district had been much improved from both a residential standpoint and from the standpoint of tlio' business man. If these valuable sections wore placed, on the market a return of £IOO per quarteracre for each block might be expected on even the lowest estimate. From a financial standpoint the Board would gain by selling. The people of the district wanted to see more settlement and still more settlement. The prospective value of Addington as an industrial centre was not realised. The amount of business dono at tlio Addington station equalled the amount put through Rangiora and Kainpoi combined. Addington was the centre where all the industries of the land were situated. Why, therefore, should the Charitable Aid Board keep locked up a valuable piece of land for grazing horses and cows? That was the situation, and the people should raise their protest and claim their dues. Tlie following resolution was unanimously carried:—“ That this meeting of residents of tlio Addington, bpreydon and Hillmorton districts respectfully requests the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board to reconsider its proposal to lot the Twigger Estate for a further term of seven years because, in the, opinion of the residents, such a long lease would considerably hinder the natural progress of the district as a residential area.” It was further resolved that a. deputation, consisting of the chairman (Air R. Staples), Air R. Nairn and Mr D. Sykes, should interview tlie Finance Committee of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board and request it to give effect to tho resolution. A vote of thanks was passed to the Spreydon School Committee for abandoning its own meeting in order that its members might be present that evening.