MOUNT HOBSON SCHEME

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 230, 28 September 1928, Page 11

MOUNT HOBSON SCHEME

MOTORISTS' CAMP.

MEW BOX NECESSARY.

RESERVES BILL GIVES NO

AUTHORITY.

(By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.)

WELLLINGTON, Thursday,

The Public Reserves, Domains, and National Parks Bill now before the House of Representatives will not make it possible for a section of Mount Hobson reserve to be converted into a camping site for motorists as proposed by the Parks Committee of the Auckland City Council and the Auckland Automobile Association. This was made quite clear to-night by the Minister of Lands, the Hon.' A. D. McLeod, on the second reading of the bill. To do what is proposed, authority would have to be obtained under terms of a separate bill.

Mr. J. A. Lee (Auckland East) and others objected to the proposal, and drew particular attention to clause 20, sub-clause G, of the bill, which empowers the trustees of any recreation reserve to erect, or authorise any person, body, or society to erect, on some portion of the reserve buildings for ornamental purposes, or stand, pavilion, gymnasium, or other buildings necessary the full use of the reserve, for the purpose for which it is set apart. The Department, said Mr.. McLeod, did not have in view any particular locality in framing this clause. However, experience had proved that there was necessity in many of our domains and beauty spots to provide facilities for .parking cars and the erection of conveniences in the interests of sanitation. That was why this clause was in the bill. It was not a new proposal. Nothing of this nature, moved or suggested by a controlling domain board, could be carried out till the consent of the Minister was given. *

Mr. Lee: Will the Minister refuse his consent in the case of Mount Hobson Reserve ?

Mr. McLeod: I am quite prepared to add two or three words when the bill is in committee to make it clear that the object is not to create a public parking pl%ce for all and sundry, but only to make a parking place for motorists actually visiting the domain. The Minister read correspondence bttween himself and the sponsors of the camping site proposal to show that he was not prepared to go beyond clause 20 in a question of this nature. Mr. Lee: That is to say they can't do it under this bill. Mr. McLeod: It would have to be done by another bill, a separate bill, if they want to put up buildings.