UPPER HUTT

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 152, 24 December 1929, Page 14

UPPER HUTT

BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING

The fortnightly meeting of the Upper Hutt Borough Council was held last night, the Mayor (Mr. P. Robertson) presiding. Thoro were also present Councillors 13. W. Cottle, C. L. A. Spearman, A. Howell, J. Blewman, M. W-ood, G. 11. Guthrie, and J. O. Duff.

'i'te Mayor was appointed to represent tie council at an inquiry to be held in Wellington in February and March next to define the boundaries of town-planning regions.

The Postmaster-General replied to a letter from the council urging the installation of a public telephone call offico outside the post office at Upper Hutt. In view of the comparatively small number of subscribers to the Upper Hutt Exchange the installation would not produce much revenue, and as there were many demands of a more urgent nature it was not possible to accede to the council's request.

An application was received from the Upper Hutt Municipal Band for the use of Maidstone Park on Sunday, 19th January, for the purpose of a massed bands display. The council was asked to have a staging erected for the occasion and to make a grant of money. All the requests were granted, a donation of £5 being made.

A letter was read from Mr. Vivian Eiddiford requesting the council to pass a resolution to the effect that an area of, some 48 acres owned by him in the borough and used for farming purposes connected with his racing and breeding establishment was not required within any reasonable period for building purposes. Mr. Riddiford wanted this resolution submitted to the Valuer-General, and if he agreed, Wished the council to have the reduction in the assessment of the capital value and the unimproved value made. Mr. Eiddiford stated that by far the greater'part of his land was below the level of the main road and unfit for subdivision. No part of it was likely to be required for building purposes within any reasonable period. j The Mayor read that portion of the, Statute which says that land used for ■farming purposes and, in the opinion of the council and the Valuer-General, not fit for subdivision or likely to be used within any reasonable period for building purposes may be reduced in value. The Mayor explained that this provision was inserted on the recommendation of the recent Commission on the subject for the purpose of assisting small farmers whose land, owing to circumstances, could not be sold by them and was valued and rated highly on account of its proximity to a settled borough. The request now before the council was antagonistic to the spirit of the Act. He moved that Mr. Riddiford be informed that the council did not consider his application should be sent on to the ValuerGeneral. Councillor M. Hood seconded the motion, which was carried.