MARLBOROUGH.

Otago Witness, Issue 2734, 8 August 1906, Page 33

MARLBOROUGH.

The Blenheim Borough Council has occupied two roonis in the Government Buildings since the. present structure was erected after the fire, in 1876, and before- that had oeoommodatkjn in the .original Provincial Government Building 1 ., .by. yirtue of the s-aid buildings being erected on the land vested by the late Mr Fell- in. trust -as sites for public buildings a-nd- -for- -other purposes of public utility wh«i the town was first laid out in 1857. -The -council recently received three months'- notice from the Public Works Department to quit.- The -period expires aiext Thursday. On Friday o veiling, acting ou legal advrce, ■ the council unanimously decided to contest its rights to t.lie chamber*, if necessary, in' the Supreme Court, and has instructed its solicitors accordingly. During iho last year or two Ministers hav<? been frequently interviewed on the- subject. The council relies upon the argument that the old Provincial trust was taken over with all existing conditions (one of which was the provision of borough quarters) by the Grown. The Crown now has no right, as a trustee, to eject a beneficiary without compensation. The department states that tho rooms are- vrgeatly needed for pcsta.l and public works purposes.