PUBLIC RIGHTS
IN HOT SPRINGS RESERVE The • Matamata County Council decided on Thursday to endeavour to preserve for the public a hot spring at Okaula which the Lands Department had informed the Council the Baptist Auxiliary desired to purchase as a site for a youth camp, which site would be developed in the futureThe engineer reported that since the last meeting he had inspected the area of reserve, which extended from Tills Road to Graveson’s Road- The Baptist Auxiliary desired to purchase a strip of the area extending from road to road. The -spring was an eyeopener, being about 20 feet deep and the same width, and was as clear as crystal. The temperature was about blood heat. It might be that in a few years the site would be very popular. It only required opening up to make the area a popular picnic site when benzine was once more availableHe thought it might possibly be better to have someone on the spot with the idea of preventing the usual litter left after picnics. Cr- J. Pohlen stated that In his opinion the spring might have- curative properties. In years to come it might become a valuable property, and for this reason the Council should watch carefully the public rights. To this end he would like to see the Council take charge of it to conserve public rights. It would be better to discuss the proposition from this angle with a representative of those who applied for a site. On the motnon of Or. Pohlen It was decided to write to the Lands Department to this effect. The engineer said the spring was only about 200 yards from the Graveson’s gate.
Cr. Pohlen, replying to a question, said that what were known as the Okauia Springs had been retained as private property by the late Mr. J. CFirth when the estate was sold. That was how the springs had become private property. The chairman commented that that was all the more reason why the Council should take care to preserve the public’s rights in connection with the springs under discussion. Tlie motion was approved.
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Bibliographic details
Putaruru Press, Volume XIX, Issue 1121, 22 February 1945, Page 4
Word Count
354PUBLIC RIGHTS Putaruru Press, Volume XIX, Issue 1121, 22 February 1945, Page 4
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