AN AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13451, 30 May 1907, Page 6

AN AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.

THE HAMILTON SCHEME. ;> The scheme to erect an agricultural college at Hamilton is being pushed ahead with as much expedition as the circumstances of the case will allow. At yesterday's meeting of the Auckland Education Board a letter was received from, the Hamilton Borough Council advising that steps were being taken to vest in the Board the site iof four acres one rood nine perches, comprised in the Hamilton Domain, chosen for the college. The Board was asked to proceed with, the erection of the building. Messrs. Fry Brothers, lessees of the . site in question, with a period of seven years before expiration, stated that they would not accept less than £250 compensation for surrendering the lease, pointing out that they had entered into a contract for building houses, and some of the timber had been ordered.' Compensation would, no doubt, be claimed by the contractor. It was 6tated that the lessees had only taken up the land' a few weeks ago, and paid £120 for it. "And they»are going toi put up houses as a speculation with only a: seven years' lease?" queried a member of the Board.' • •_ -..,,'.:•...■ • Mr. Jidgecumbe suggested that arbitration might" bring about an adjustment. ."■ 1, Mr. George inquired who would have to pay the compensation ■ claimed and on eit j being stated that the Board would have to pay, he wanted to know where the money ! was coming from. The Chairman said it would come out of the scheme. Mr. George: I think it will tend to block the grant from the Government. They seemed particular, about getting the site absolutely free. I understand they decline to give grants unless the . land is quite free. The Chairman moved that the land be taken under the ; Public Works Act, on the ground that the demand made for compensation was unreasonable. This course was approved, and the chairman pointed out that the necessity might: arise, for the people of Hamilton to, provide the. amount of compensation finally determined upon.