GOLLAN'S VALLEY.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2151, 18 May 1914, Page 6

GOLLAN'S VALLEY.

Sir,—As a ratepayer and resident of tho district and ono having an intimate knowledge of tho Gollan's Valley raid most of tho land adjoining, might I express, a hope that the Government will sanction the purchase of this property for closer settlement? Looking ahead and taking as wide.' n view of the project as possible- tho Gollan ! s Valley is only tho fringe cf a largo scope of country suitable for closer settlement, the Iwst of which,, perhaps, lies between the mouth of the 'Wainui*o-»iata and l'cncarrow. The lower portion of the Waiimi-o-mata is a fertile stretch of some extent which is not producing osietrnth of what it is ea.pa.blo of producing if closer settlement was introduced and dairying established. Beyond the Wainui tho land is extremely hilly and of little use for settlement, but tho vast deposits of building material in tho shape of water-worn atones and red and blue granite (?) which ffittst eventually, be recognised as the material par excellence for domestic architecture, should receive consideration especially as tho deposits avo accessible by light railway. To tho northward of Gollan's Valley property, and lying at the back of ffiastkmruo and adjoining Day's Bay Park, is primps the. finest streteh ot bush knd in tho Wellington Province, comprising somo two thousand or more acres principally education resent which inter-1 ost«d bodies, such as the 'Wellington City Council and Eastbourne Borough; Council, cannot afford t« overlook as a revenue-producing- asset. This area must be thrown open' to tourist traffic by means of motor roads- and tracks which will eventually connect with tho Gollan's Valley roads, Tho property how under consideration by the Government has about 1000 acres of flat and lowhills adjoining this bush 'reserve which if subdivided into small holdings should provide an industrious man with a living and pastime ra tho form of golf— provided sufficient, land is set aside' as a recreation grosuid—trout-fishing in tiio Waintii-o-mata Stream, and a hush park to wander in, ttosides being at tho furthest a mile from the beach. The valley is surrounded by hills and is largely protected from catting Kinds. Mv experience is that the wind is felt in tho narrow valley, past the dair» farm, but owing to the conformation of the land disperses there, nnd gathers force again, on the ridges. The approach to thevalley from Eastbourne is cap&bte of great imnrovoment. The- existing road up tho lull -could he altered out of all recognition and an easy grade obtained at a comparatively low cost. Between tho foot of tho road and the horprmh bunda-ry lies tho sanitary deftot of the borough, which must ho closed when a drainage* scheme is installed, tho land should then lis available far settlement on a- leasehold basis.—l am, etc , PRO BONO 'PUBLICO.