ACCESS TO TAIHOA SPRINGS.

Matamata Record, Volume XVI, Issue 1442, 17 July 1933, Page 1

ACCESS TO TAIHOA SPRINGS.

COUNCIL’S LIABILITY.

Through Error of Crown.

The hot springs at Taihoa were mentioned by Cr. P. Dee during a discussion on the subdivision of Gould’s estate, at Friday’s meeting of the Matamata County Council. The discussion arose out of a hitch which had occurred in the registration of a portion of the estate, which partition fronted on to the Taihoa road. As the eastern boundary of the portion cut fronted a half-chain access road to the hot springs, the fact that this road was not of the required width had been brought to the notice of the council. The engineer pointed out that the council was caught between a scissors. If the council granted exemption for the half-chain road, and allowed it to pass, and later the road had to be widened, the council would be liable for compensation. On the other hand, if exemption were not given, and the landlord had to give the land for the road, the Act provided that land required should be paid for now. Cr. P. Dee urged strongly that in time to come the spring would be a valuable one, and he felt now was the time to secure access ior future generations. Cr. J. Pohlen pointed out that an error had been made in early years when half a chain only had been set aside by the Crown. To cover the mistake it appeared that the Crown now wanted to secure the extra half chain from Gould’s estate. It was their mistake and they should pay the cost, and not the council. Cr. Js. W. Anderson agreed that if the extra half chain was to be given the Crown should give it. It was for the Minister to provide the solution.

Cr. Pohlen added that when Wilson cut his property the half chain road had been overlooked by the Crown. Cr. Dee said that later private owners of the springs would have to buy land to provide the full chain road. He thought now was the time to insist on the full chain road if at all possible. The chairman again explained that the Minister had power-to say that the Act did not apply and such a decision would let the council out. They would have to await his reply.

A member remarked that the Maoris always held that the hot springs at the foot of the access road were the best curative springs in the district. Cr. E. D. White held that all of the responsibility should fall on Gould’s estate. The chairman pointed out that only a quarter of a chain would be taken from each party, thus making the half chain. The matter could not be finished until a reply was received from! the Minister. The discussion then dropped.