LITTLEBOURNE HOUSE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24716, 19 September 1941, Page 4

LITTLEBOURNE HOUSE

A LOSING PROPOSITION CHANGE IN POLICY SUGGESTED “It is high time the City Council did something with Littlebournc House.” said Mr A. McMillan at the annual meeting of the Otago branch of the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand last night. “It is seven years since the property* was given to the city, and during that time the council has lost thousands of pounds on it.” Mr McMillan said that during the seven years that Littlebourne House had belonged to the city no rates had been collected, whereas they previously amounted to £IOO a year. A caretaker was employer, and the gardens, lawns and vinery had been kept in order. The grounds occupied three acres and a-half. Mr McMillan said, and they were kept locked up and were of no use to the citizens. “ I think this institute should protest to the council,” Mr McMillan said, “and ask that something should be done. If the council is miable to formulate a policy to do something useful with the property, it should hand it over to the Government. At present if is uneconomic,” he added, “and when houses and properties are in such short supply it is wrong that such a valuable property should be vacant. It could be subdivided and it would provide valuable building sites. . “At present the council is losing a considerable sum each year in rates, gas. electricity and tram fares.” Mr McMillan added. “ and it is time something was done.”