ENDOWMENT SECTIONS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22045, 27 February 1935, Page 13

ENDOWMENT SECTIONS

LEASES AT PAPAKURA

QUESTION AS TO VALUE

A difference of opinion regarding the value to Papakura of a large number of endowment sections let by the Town Board to persons under Glasgow leases was expressed by members at a meeting .of the board last night.

Mr. D. Weir said it would be a good thing if the board obtained permission to sell at a small figure a lot of its endowment sections and put them under private ownership, where something would be done with them. Some years ago a number were let under Glasgow leases, and some of these had now come back to the board, covered with gorse and noxious weeds, and with large arrears in rent owing on them. They were simply white elephants.

"There will be a time in the future when these endowment sections will be a great asset to Papakura," said the chairman, Mr. H. E. McEntee. He said the trouble with the Glasgow leases was that there had been a lack of foresight when they were drawn up, in that no building clause was added. If such a clause had been put in there would not be so many sections coming back to the board in such bad condition.

The Reserves Committee reported that in many cases sections were now let to residents on short-term leases, rent free, subject to the eradication of noxious weeds. In most cases tenants had carried out their obligations satisfactorily. Some sections carrying pasture were revenue producing.