Ashburton District Council: Housing Site Troubles: Indignant Members: … … Mr. Pinsent (District Valuer) reported to the Commissioner that he had seen Mr. Hosking, the owner, who claimed that he was able to obtain permission to work the mineral and that he had nearly expended those in the adjoining field, in which he was at present working, and if he lost this field he may have to shut down his work. He, therefore, would not sell unless he obtained a figure which included the value of the field and umber to him and this, he believed, he put at £2000. He felt quite convinced that there would be no possibility of getting a voluntary agreement with him. To the Council, Mr. Pinsent wrote that he had heard nothing further from Mr. Hosking, so he must report failure to negotiate. If the Council still desired this site, it would appear necessary to exercise compulsory purchase. He however, recommended the consideration of an alternative site. …
Transcribed in whole or part from scanned originals: Presented with or without modified text and punctuation. For absolute accuracy refer to the original newspapers. Source: The British Newspaper Archive.
Referenced
GRO0322 Hennock: Francis Wingfield Homfray Pinsent: 1875 – 1948