ORIENTAL BAY

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2393, 24 February 1915, Page 7

ORIENTAL BAY

STRAIGHT WALL OR NATURAL CDRYEII i THE BEAUTY LINE WINS "That tic following resolution passed on Councillor Buddie's motion at a meeting of the Wellington City Council held on July 30, 1914, bo rescinded, viz.:— That the Wellington City Council enter into negotiations with the . Harbour Board for its consent to reclaim part of Oriental Bay, and when such consent is obtainif the terms thereof and the estimated cost are satisfactory to the council, that the necessary legislation bo introduced, and when passed, that the council's resolution of December 15, 1910, be then rescinded, and the reclamation be proceeded with and completed as soon as possible, and vested' in the city for the purposes of a park aud playing ground.' " In- moving the above rescinding motion a(< the special meeting of the City Council held yesterday afternoon, Councillor W. H. P. Barber said that Oriental Bay was the only open piece of water-front left to the city, and if the reclamation was carried out as proposed it would mean the erection of a straight wall, and the disappearance of the beach, which he maintained would not accord with the principles of city beautification. If any other city liaij such a line circular piece of water-fr'Silt, he thought it would be valued a good deal more than it was in Wellington. A great deal more might be said, but he did not wish to detain the council. Councillor Frost seconded the motion. Councillor Buddie said that in considering the question they should look forward to what the city would be twenty years hence. It was perhaps the only open beach-space left to- the city, hut what, was to be the state of the beach twenty years henctff There was a .time when there was really a very good beach at Oriental Bay, hut it had deteriorated, and with the growth of the port what' would Oriental Bay be in ton or fifteen years? It would be nothing more than a refuse pit, as they could not prevent the refuse from the shipping accumulating there. He said that his motion committed, the council only to the extent of negotiating with the Harbour Board. His opponents had eagerly clutched on to Mr, Morton's scheme, but as that scheme provided for a wall below high-water mark, the Harbour Board would still have to be consulted, so why not go on with the negotiations? Councillor Luckie supported Councillor Buddie, pointing out that the prevailing winds must always blow the refuse of the harbour towards Oriental Bay; but it seemed to him quite possible that the beach would be lost to the public under Mr. Morton's scheme, and the motion only committed the council to get more information on the subject for the future guidance of the council.

Councillor Thompson said h© was only concerned in preserving the curve of the Bay and the beach. v ■ ... The Mayor pointed out that if a wall •was erected for the purposes of an esplanadej the beach would soon reform. and it was only right that this beach should be- retained for the children of the poor people who were not able to visit more remote beaches. He was ill favour of tho erection of a wall for esplanade purposes, and the sooner it could bo carried out tho better it would be for the city. Councillor Barber stated that Councillor Buddie had said that some residents of the Bay were in favour of his' motion to reclaim the Bay, but he 'pointed out the", ratepayers of Roseneath and Oriental Bay had discussed Councillor Buddie's motion, and had decided against it. Arguing against the straight wall and reclaimed. recreation ground, Councillor Barber referred to the condition of the Thorndon Esplanade, and said that in the same manner the spray would dash over the proposed wall and across the reclamation, which would have to be protected by a htige wall before it would be any good for recreative purposes.

The motion was carried by 6 rotes to 4. ' '