Tanekaha Farms Accepted By R.S.A. For Rehabilitation

Northern Advocate, 1 October 1943, Page 2

Tanekaha Farms Accepted By R.S.A. For Rehabilitation

Offer of two properties comprising 803 acres for the rehabilitation of. servicemen '*yvis accepted by the Whangarei Returned Services Association- at a ’special meeting last night. The offer was made by Mr. J, Earnshaw, farmer, of Tanekaha, and involves a substantial equity for the benefit of returned servicemen. One property of 485 acres is freehold and is valued at more than £6OOO, against which there is a mortgage of £3500, leaving an equity exceeding £2500. Three dwellings are provided. Discussion at the meeting disclosed that this property will provide three farms, with the second property of 408 acres of Crown leasehold giving runoffs on properties which it is hoped to acquire at a later date. Mr. Earnshaw’s only request in offering to hand over the property was that he should retain the house he was at present occupying until his death. The house, too, would go to returned servicemen. Not for Training

Mr. B. P. Hopkins, to whom the offer was made, detailed the nature of the property and inspections made by members of a special sub-committee set up for that purpose. He said that the sub-committee had considered using the property for the purpose of training ex-servicemen wishing to take up farming, but it had not thought this practicable, and had brought forward various recommendations.

The meeting unanimously adopted a recommendation that the association should accept Mr. Earnshaw's offer and take title to the property. In moving to this effect, Mr. Hopkins emphasised that one reason the association should accept the offer and not permit the property to be handed over to the Rehabilitation Board, as it. otherwise would be, was that unless this action were taken probably three servicemen who had already returned would walk on to the properties. If the property ivvere taken over by the association there would be some profit between the time of it being acquired and the end of the war and, even fi a profit did not accrue, the association would not be at a loss.

Equal Chance

The sub-committee thought it would be more equitable to hold the property until after the war and until all servicemen had returned, when all from the district would have a chance of acquiring the farms. The association, by holding the property against that time, would then be able to sell it at its productive value, which should be greater than at present, to the Rehabilitation Board, the equity being available for the benefit of all members becoming necessitous cases. “Mr. Earnshaw is giving all he has to give, and by putting the property in the hands of the association he believes that exploitation' will be avoided and that, by distribution over a wider sphere all 'will benefit.” said Mr J. W. Parkin. Mr Earnshaw had largely left arrangements to'the association. Mr. A. L. Flux said that there was an undoubted equity in the property, although some money would have to be spent. Worth Retaining Referring to the unimproved property of 400 acres, Mr. J. Oliver said the sub-committec considered that, although it was not at present of great value, it would be useful in the future and was well worth while retaining in view of'the small yearly rental of £l4. The president (Mr. R. A. Rogers): If we do not go ahead it means that the property will be handed over to the Rehabilitation Board.

In reply to Mr. G. S. Brdwn, Mr. K. M. Stevens said that if the three farms were acquired by exservicemen at a reasonable production value each farm should provide a good living. A recommendation that the association's rules should be amended to provide for trading operations, such as farming and for the borrowing of money on its securities, was also approved. It was stated by Mr. Hopkins that this alteration would bring the rules into conformity with the New Zealand body. In further explanation, the secretary (Mr. L. A. Johnson) said that if such requirements had been envisaged in the past provision would have then been made. The amendments would cover all eventualities of the future as far as they could be foreseen. Minister To Be Informed The appointment of the sub-com-mittee handling the property arrangements, comprising Messrs. G. A. I Bethel!, J. J. Roberts, B. P. Hopkins, R. A. Rogers, A. L. Flux, J. Oliver, J. W. Parkin and K. M. Stevens, was confirmed and appreciation of its work was recorded. It was also decided to place on record appreciation of Mr. EarnshaWs generous gift and to inform the Minister for Rehabilitation of the meeting’s decision, mentioning the possibility of the Rehabilitation Committee considering placing returned servicemen on the farms for training where necessary, and also that the association supported the proposal of a farm schpol at Dargaville. where better facilities were .available.