Selling Land To Local Bodies

Northern Advocate, 4 December 1947, Page 3

Selling Land To Local Bodies

■ KAITAIA, Wed. (Sp.)—A tendency for land vendors to boost the price of properties for sale to local bodies was mentioned by the chairman of the North Auckland Land Sales Committee (Mr E. H. Burton) at a Kaitaia sitting today. He was referring to an application for consent to the sale of 16 acres 1 rood on Awanui Road, about one mile from the Kaitaia Post Office, to the Kaitaia Borough Council. It was mentioned by counsel that the local body was anxious to secure the property for use as a sports area. It had been impossible to secure a private valuation of the property and. on this account. Mr L. Peace sought an adjournment. He said it was understood that the Crown valuation already filed was considerably below the price of £2062 at which consent was being sought. PUBLIC WORKS ACT If the private valuation could not sustain that price, the application would be withdrawn, said counsel, who added that steps could then be taken to secure the property under the Public Works Act. The Borough Council already owned an area of 14 acres adjoining the properly which had been gifted to the town. x While local bodies preferred not to invoke the Public Works Act. it was realised that vendors sometimes regarded local bodies as fair game “and up goes the price." said Mr Burton. The adjournment was granted.