A MW STREET

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 19 June 1936, Page 7

A MW STREET

SUB-DIVISION FOR BUILDING SITES COUNCIL TO EXERCISE OPTION OVER NECESSARY LAND DIVISION CALLED FOR The Nelson City Council recently discussed a proposal for the opening of a street from Hardy street east towards Nile street for the purpose of opening ’up building sections. The Council obtained an option over the necessary land and at last night s meeting it was decided to proceed with the scheme.

A letter was received from the Assistant Under-Secretary of the Public Works Department advising that the Department would forego the condition in regard to the building line in respect to land owned by Mrs W. Gibbs, through which the proposed road would pass. Councillor J. Glasgow moved that the Council’s option on the land be exercised. He pointed out that the tomato growers concerned would shortly be commencing work for the next season and would want something definite.

Councillor J. Fitz-gerald said that when the matter was before the Council previously he had opposed the purchase of the land. He did not think it was the business of the Council to find land for a street to facilitate the subdivision of land. In other cases the owners of the property provided for the access. He understood from the Engineer’s estimate that it would cost £350 to form the street and that strip of land the Council proposed to buy would cost £3OO. The proposal would cost the Council £6OO to provide a road solely for the benefit of the persons sub-dividing. The Mayor (Mr G. L. Page) explained that when the proposed subdivision by Messrs Pitt and Moore first came before the Council, the proposal was to cut up their property fronting Tory street, giving access to back sections by means of 10ft rights-ci-way. The Works Committee at the time, of which Councillor Fitz-gerald was a member, inspected the site and recommended that Messrs Pitt and Moore meet the other property owners concerned with the object of ascertaining if road access could be found.

Councillor Fitz-gerald: “Yes, but not for the Council to purchase the necessary land.” Continuing, the Mayor said it was not the applicants’ idea to have a road. They proposed rights-of-way to the back sections, which the Council at the time did not think desirable if a street could be obtained. Messrs Pitt and Moore were prepared to give a strip of land 25ft wide along their property and to contribute £3OO towards the cost of the road. The section nearest the proposed road, fronting Hardy street, owned by Mrs Gibbs was only 50ft and that owner would receive no benefit as the whole section would be taken. The Council considered that by opening up the road building sections would be cut up on both sides. The Council would therefore collect more rates from the area and also gain additional revenue as the result of the connection of the City services. In view of the advantages to be obtained he was in favour of the Council making provision for a road. Councillor J. Glasgow said the total cost to the Council would be £BSO, less the £3OO offered by Messrs Pitt and Moore. It was moved and seconded that the Council proceed forthwith to obtain the necessary Order-in-Council, the option to be exercised if the Order-in-Council is completed by the expiry of the option (Ist July), or alternatively that the Mayor endeavour to have the option extended, if necessary. The motion was carried by 5 to 1 on a division called for by Councillor Fitz-gerald. The division was as follows: Ayes: The Mayor, Councillors Glasgow, Pettit, Hurst and McArthur. Noes: Councillor Fitz-gerald.