CIVIC SQUARE LEASES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19962, 2 June 1928, Page 14

CIVIC SQUARE LEASES.

Sir, —Further explanation concerning the. transfer of the corner section of the civic square block is undoubtedly being looked for by ratepayers. My opposition to the transfer of the block from the old condition of saie to the new conditions was that this section alone was worth £IOOO more per annum than it, was under the conditions under which it was soldj and my belief as a ratepayer was that the council was entitled to the extra value. Nobody doubts that under the new conditions of lease 1 his section is worth double the amount it is worth under the old conditions, and if put up to competitive tender the ratepayers are in to gain at least £IOOO per annum extra for the next 60 years'. After my protest in the Supreme Court the Court, without prejudice, saw fit to send my protest in to the City Council, as it was considered that the matter was one for them to decide upon. The registrar of the Court was instructed to give the letter over to the town clerk before the meeting "of the council that was to be held at 1.45. The registrar enclosed the protest in an envelope, marked in red ink, "urgent," and this his messenger witnessed being handed to the town clerk at 12.25. At 1.45 the council meeting was held and the corner lease came up and was discussed. During the discussion in open council, Councillor Covle asked whether any communication had been received concerning the civic leases. The town clerk replied, in open council, that none had been received. licet thete is irrefutable proof that the packet was handed him from the Supreme Court an hour and a-half previously. What is the back of it all? Why all the haste? The ratepayers' interests should be paramount, and in this case the town clerk's reply must have been heard by all present. As a ratepayer, I cannot see why the council was not permitted to know the facts. Even now if should not be too latp to rescind the resolution. Harold Sciimxdt.