The Barmouth and County Advertiser and District Weekly News

Local Government Board Enquiry. Barmouth Council's Application for the purchase of a farm. More Freedom for Visitors. On Tuesday morning, at the Police Station, Barmoutb, Mr H. R. Hooper, Local Government Board Inspector, conducted an enquiry into an applica- tion made by the Barmoutb Urban Dis- trict Council for the sanction of the Local Government Board to borrow the sum of J62,300 so as to enable them to purchase at that figure the freehold farm known as Cellfechan for pat poses of public walks and pleasure grounds. The Council were represented by Mr William George (Messrs L'oyd George and George), Mr R. Llewelyn Owen (deputy cierk), and Mr T. R. Parry (surveyor), whilst the following mem- bers of the Council were also present Mr Rbys Jones, J.P. (chairman), Mr J. Pryce Jones (vice-chairman), Dr. Pugh Jones, Messrs Edward Williams, Henry Freeman, William Owen, and D. E. Davies. Messrs W. W. Greener and Edwin Blakey were also in attendance. Mr William George, who appeared on behalf of the Urban Council, said the area of the Urban District was 801 acres and the population in 1911 was 2213. The estimate at the present time stood at 9,000 for the summer, the dif. ference between then and now was not material. Mr George stated that the place was rapidly growing as in 1904,4he total rateable value of buiiding was .612,832 8s 6d. Present value =613,322 18s 9d. The total indebtedness of the town was £27, 318 18s 9d. Poor rate 4s 2d. General District Rate 5s 9d. Water Rate 3d. Total 10s 2d. In 1913 the Poor Rate was 3s. Total 9s; and be said that they wished to borrow the money to acquire Geilfecban Farm, which is about 2i mites from the town, for the purpose of giving additional pleasure to visitors of Barmouth, which was a growing seaside resort. The great attractions of Barmoutb were the mountain ranges and hills behind tjbe town, and the fine stretch of sands in front of the town. Regarding the sands he was glad to say that for some years, now, the Council bad control of this. He said that the visitors could not live on the sand alone, hence the advisability of purchasing the farm and land in question for the benefit of visitors in general be further stated that the Panorama pleasure grounds purchased by the Council had proved a very good investiment, and one which the town and visitors alitfe appreciated in the ex- treme, that was on one side, some dis- tance away, and recently on the other sideoftbe town, they bad acquired by settlement with Mr Greener (now present) a bill known as Conciliation Hill on the other side of the town. The bills immediately above the town are at present private property, and there they stand year after year, challenging the people who wish to enjoy the beau- tiful views, and that challenge has been answered hundreds of times by visitors getting into trouble, as it was private property, and the tenant in the exercise of his right employed small boys to de- mand money from the trespassers, and in consequence the Council have been inundated with complaints from visitors. Several letters of complaint were then read by Mr George from visi- tors stating their holiday bad < been marred somewhat by the rude and in- solent manner in which money had been demanded from them upon this land in question, as no notices appeared to have been put up stating the property was private be said that the farm was to be sold and the Council wished to acquire it; fortunately the owner gave the Council the option to purchase same. The matter came before the ratepayers at two public meetings, and the same was fully discussed. A poll was taken and the question was asked if they were in favour of the Council purchasing iCeIifecban Farm, the result being:— i In favour, 265 against 80. There were roads and paths now leading to the farm, and suggested that at some future date a little mountain railway might be built to enable visitors to reach the heights more easily, which would prove an additional attraction to the place. The vendor was Mr Richard Williams, Bolgrave House, and bis wife. The area was 199 acres, and the farm in question was about 21- miles from Bar- mouth. The Inspector-Is there any opposi- I tion to the scheme ? Mr Edwin BIakey said he opposed the scheme on behalf of some property owners. I In reply to the Inspector, Mr George said the Council would allow the present tenant to remain he getting"£12 a year for the rough meadow land adjoining the farm. There were three good roads leading from the main road and two public paths to this farm and the walk was eagerly sought by visitors, and through the repeated insults upon visi- tors, the Council wished to purchase. In 1913, the property was sold for £1,700 but since the value of property bad gone up. The Couucil considered the price of .62,800 a most reasonable one for the land. There bad been no valuation taken for 1909—10. Mr T. R. Parry, surveyor,- considered that the farm bad improved in value since 1903, and that the place was in good condition—one portion of the buildings being practically new. The boundary of the farm extended to within 125 yards of the main street. He thought it would be a. good investment to purchase the farm as a paying con- cern. The lower part of the slope from the farm could bo utilised for the erec- tion of workmen's dwellings; there being a scarcity of such dwellings in the town. Mr Edwin Blakey, C.E., M.I.E.E., A.I.I., then opposed the scheme and stated he represented several large land owners. There appeared very few complaints from visitors in comparison to the thousands who went over it, and there would need to be a considerable sum spent on the roads, and that in consequence of visitors being allowed to roam at large, the farm would depriciate in value. The Surveyor said it would cost but very little to improve the access to this farm. Councillor Rbys Jones said be thought there was every necessity to purchase the farm in question, and that different meetings had been held with the result that the majority of the rate- payers were in favour of purchasing the farm. Barmoutb was a growing sea- side resort, which was proved by the fact that 1,700 odd applications for the guide books bad been received, and he thought it quite essential to buy the farm as be considered it would be a serious matter for the town if a private party bought it. Councillor D. E. Davies said he con- sidered the price asked for the farm was reasonable. The fact that visitors would be allowed to walk over certain portion of the farm wou)d not materiaMy affect its value ior agricultural purposes for the visitors would not want to go on land under cultivation. He was one of a deputation who awaited upon the owner, and they did their best to get the farm for less many, but they were told that Messrs Davies, Old Belle Vue, were offering the same price for it. He believed that something could bo.made by the tenant of the farm by catering for vi&itors in the way of refreshments and teas. Councillor Edward Wil!iam& said it waste the town's interest to purchase the farm, and also that the progress of Barmoutb greatly depended on the pur- chase of same. Mr Edwin Blakey stated that be opposed the scheme on behalf of three largo landowners, viz., Mr W. W. Greener, Mr John WilHams, and Mr Mills. The farm was bought in 1889 when things were very much better inBarmouthth-mijhQy' ?- .t2,100, and that the takenfromit. £500'8 been sold and in band, so that it the prica asked ? ????? apart from that, the rah- ? to be increased to n certainly a fair have to be expended ? thought the interest Ci:! ? ? ?' ?' ?: itself was abeavy burden ? ?-- thing further being added. Ag town bad a deal ot property ?? not taken care of; and if y borrowing to be dnQp; h h ;n d tion Ground, and (jha fronu d ?- Recreation Groand wbich !.h ? ?'" v n acquired is being by the sea, 'Y were being made c considered the money ?. Y. r :i better spent in things ino th-'ac h n fresh responsibilities. Mr George, ????????? prised at the byM. BIakey. The ten n ? ? ? presented at first ? L J down to three, n. n d—-——— MrB!akey—ButI ????. Mr George si,,icl ? ? last statement. They ning backwards and. f o:. ? ?. ? ? ??? stick to the statemen t j J. ? (Mr George) was Mr BIakey had caro to rn statement oniy and ?- ? -witness box to g i ? .c. l ? ? prepared to do that be (Mr G' ) would be glad (,,f \i cross-examime hin. As to the '.r: ? land bought a ?fcw years ngo fcr ?. nominal sum for which some price was -for. M' B h ? :-v knew the land Itewae re feri 's ? his statement had been reduced in Feccut ? refuted. The three persons ?< y BIakey represented we!'e. l an d owt!:c'<- .;i and only one ot tbem n bn- the people of Barmouth who 'business best bad, byano'c.\ ? majority) decided in ?' scheme. TUE) only of this opposition was to try .i,.nd;' the Council to deal ? tbo Recreatioa Ground he, -on behalf of Ccji.,iic. resented any attempt to ? ? Council to do a thing which ?.. y ? not want to do of tbcir.o' .vn ?'ee wiii. The question of the exic'nKion c'f iiie Parade should be decided on iLs o- .yn merits. The Inspector—Yes, that is a n-' c ? r outside this enquiry. Mr George, v that tbe financQs of betterto-day tban t ago was withollL found. last ten years, the town's iD d bad been reduced by over ?18,OC:; ? within tbe next ,,C2,161 and £800 were being pu.id off. No witnesses b.eingcaHed for the opposition, the enqs.iu'y closed, and the Inspector, accompanied by thoC.ie.L:, Surveyor, and Cbairmrm of tuc C;'u.:n.;i ? visited the farm,