BUSH LANDS FOR CITY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19471, 29 October 1926, Page 12

BUSH LANDS FOR CITY

WAITAKERE RANGES AREA.

ARRANGING FOR ACQUISITION

Negotiations are now proceeding for the acquisition by the City Council of an area of bush-clad land on the slopes of Pukematekeo, the highest point in the Waitakere Ranges.

In a report to the council last evening Samuel Vailo and Sons, Ltd., stated that in reference to the council's instructions to them to proceed with the proclamation under ' the Public Works Act of the bush-covered cliffs running up to the trig station at Pukematekeo, they, had had a rough sufvoy made and, allowing for about a chain of cleared land on the lower side of the bush as a fire break, the area worked out at about 36 acres. They were of the opinion that it was absolutely necessary to secure this piece as it was the last area necessary to complete the ownership by the council of the bush-covered slopes of the mountain and connected the Government reserve and other properties already acquired. The writers said the owners had stated that in the circumstances they were prepared to sacrifice the area for £250 an acre, but considering that these' people had paid only £lB an acre for the whole of Hall's property, of which this formed a part, and that the highest prico the council had paid for all of the surrounding land was £lO an aero, they were of the opinion that there was no need to worry about this suggestion, for which there was no , shadow of a precedent.

The city, solicitor was instructed to proceed with the proclamation.