The Waipa Post. PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, MAY 6, 1913. ALEXANDRA STREET WIDENING.

Waipa Post, Volume V, Issue 210, 6 May 1913, Page 2

The Waipa Post. PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, MAY 6, 1913. ALEXANDRA STREET WIDENING.

IN referring to the many matters " being considered " by the Te Awamutu Town Board in our last issue we purposely omitted to make mention of the proposal to widen that portion of Alexandra Street between the Teasdale Settlement and the railway station. Having regard to the fact that there are at present practically no buildings to be removed —which makes it a comparatively simple matter to widen this street now —and the growth of the town towards the railway, which very clearly indicates the early prospect of buildings being erected on the present frontage —a circumstance that immediately introduces costly " compensation '' —this matter is one deserving of immediate attention with the view to arriving at a definite decision. It will be remembered that on October 12th of last year the property owners met, and, after consideration, passed the following resolution : —" That the proposal to widen Alexandra Street is favoured by property owners on the north side, provided that, with the exception of Messrs North and Williams, who will require to be dealt with individually, the half-chain width be acquired at the back of the sections, so as not to reduce the area of the front sections, and that, where buildings require to be shifted or the alterations necessitate any outlay, such cost be borne by the Board, and the frontage be left in as good order as at present. The residents understand that it is the BoarTs intention to form a footpath us soon as the set-back is arranged." This resolution was forwarded I.) the Board, but after consideration a decision was arrived at to Ihs effect that the proposal to acquire a half-chain width at the rear of the sections was not favoured, and the Board decided to take the necessary half-chain of frontage. As the Boerd had no desire to take the land by compulsion the owners were requested to advise what amount of compensation would be required, so that, if possible, negotiations could be completed without taking the matter to the compensation court. That was six months ago, and yet to-day we find the matter no further advanced. Whether the delay be the fault of the Board or the property owners is an open question, but the Board, as a public body, should see to it that such delays are not occasioned. That the Board's proposal to purchase the frontage is not popular is freely admitted, for it will be readily conceded that it is better to buy the adjoining land at the back at per acre than to purchase the frontage at per foot. It would not be so costly a proposal, and at the

same time would not reduce the area of the already small sections fronting Alexandra Street. There is little to commend the Board's proposal save that it curies out a verv necessary public work -the widening of Alexandra Street. This is embodied in the proposal of the property owners concerned, which proposal points to a better, cheaper, and more satisfactory settlement. It is evident that the property owners w i i i strenuously oppose any movement to reduce the area of their holdings on the grounds that they are already too small for their requirements, and that such reduction is unnecessary. On the other hand the Board will receive their

assistance should the original proposal be given effect to, which fact was fully evidenced by the meeting of oroperty owners, those present expressing the desire to expediate matters on the lines suggested. It is to be hoped that definite action will be taken at an early date, and that either the Board or the owners themselves will take steps to arrive at a satisfactory and early settlement. It is a matter presenting but little

difficulty now, whilst the increased value of land and the erection of buildings on the present frontage will necessarily put many obstacles in the way of future endeavours.