PURCHASE OF LAND

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 237, 4 September 1928, Page 2

PURCHASE OF LAND

FOR HOSPITAL BOARD FARM. DISCUSSION BY BOROUGH COUNCIL. AVhen a letter from tho Palmerston North Hospital Board, stating that the board intended to purchase 108 acres from the AValdegrave estate to extend its farm at Awapuni, was read at the Borough Council meeting last evening, considerable discussion arose as to whether or not the purchase was justified. Finally, the council decided to ask for further information on the matter. In the letter, the board enquired whether the council would be prepared to lease to the board its portion of Ihe accretion adjacent to the septic tank at a nominal rental. The board also advised that it was extending its farili by purchasing an additional 108 acres, comprising 15 acres of high land and 93 acres of river flat from the AValdegrave Estate. The purchase money of £ISOO, £750 of which would be levied on the local bodies, would be provided for in next year’s estimates; so an increase in the present capital levy of £3BOO would not be necessary next year as the present levy would enable this amount to be included. Mr Graham said that the Hospital Board had a farm, the profits from which last year had been £374 and that milk and cream supplied to the Hospital and Old People’s Home had amounted in value to over £9OO. It was thought essential that milk obtained for the Hospital should come from its own farm on account of tuberculosis and other diseases. The average daily supply from the farm was 42 gallons and the daily consumption 60 gallons, the balance being purchased at a cost between Is Id and Is 2d per gallon. The proposed purchase was for the purpose of enabling tho whole supply to be obtained from the farm. MORE INFORMATION AVANTED. Cr. Eliott was of the opinion that not nearly sufficient information had been placed before the council. lie objected to the purchase on principle. It would bo a bad precedent, and perhaps the board would require another farm in a year or two. Cr. Mansford was in accord with Cr. Eliott and said that if the board could prove to tho council that their proposition was essential, there would be no opposition as far as lie was concerned. However, the Hospital Board, he understood, had 44 acres and tho 1927 balance-sheet had shown that the wages for the farm for tho year had been £567. If any farmer had to pay £lO per aero in wages, he could not make ends meet and the speaker could not seo how the board could do it. It was understood that four men wero engaged on tho farm, yet tenders had been called for the ploughing of 20 acres. Could not that work have been done by the employees? In its 1927 balance-sheet, the board bad shown a profit of £532 on tho farm, but liow it was arrived at lie did not know. The purchase of tho extra land was a most important matter, and more information was required before tho council should act. SUGGESTED CONFERENCE. Cr. Fitzherbert moved that a special committee, comprising Crs. Mansford, Hodgens and tho mover, bo set up to confer with the board, when the matter could bo fully and amicably discussed. Cr. Hodgens tho appointment in favour of Cr. Eliott. The opinion was expressed by Cr. Eliott that tho whole council should bo present at tho meeting, as it was an important matter and it was impossible for a few members to report fully to the council, who should be in possession of the full facts regarding tho position. Cr. Milverton failed to see where, or why, the council should criticise another local body’s .actions. The council could get no more information than was before, them, whether a special committee was set up or not. Most of the board members were farmers and surely they could manage a farm. The Mayor, in supporting Cr. Fitzherbert’s suggestion, said that the council liad taken up the criticism of the Hospital Board management and was wholly, opposed to any expenditure considered unnecessary. The board should satisfy the council that the proposed purchase was justified. The council would be well advised to support Cr. Fitzherbert’s suggestion for a conference.

This course was agreed upon.