£17,000 Scheme

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 121, 8 June 1937, Page 4

£17,000 Scheme

NAPIER MARINE PARADE Provision of Area for Sport REJECTED TEMPORARILY A scheme for the provision of a long sunken area in grass on the Marino Parade, at a cost of £17,000, for the provision of playing areas, was rejected by the Napier Borough Council last evening. The chairman of the reserves committee, Mr A. H. D. Mayne, ruoved, according to his notice of xuotion, that the proposal for a loan be immediately placed befojre the Local Body Loans Board, and if agreed to, the work proceeded with, but councillors preferred delay of the matter. The hope was espregsed that assistance from the .Government might be obtained if the project were conduoted under the plan for the emancipation of men on sustenance. It was decided to • hold a meetjng to discuss all aiternative plans for the development of the parade. "We are now in a position to .decide if this scheme is worthy of being carried out," said'Mr Mayne. "The proposal is for the extensioo of the parade for about a quarter of a niile to the south of the Sound Shell, in a sunken grass area which ean provide for 16 tennis courts, two bowling greens and a croquet lawn, but the scheme in general is for an area where nearly any sport exc'ept' football niay be carried on." Details of Finance "The loan proposal was for an amount of £17,300. Expenditure is estimated at £952 for interest and a ^inking fund on the loan, £300 for tlie cost of maintenance and depreciation on machinery, £120 for two caretakers, and £25 10/-' for lighting. When thp tigures were prepared, the estimated revenue and expenditure balaneed, and while it is true that they do not now, the fact remains that the scheme would be of immense benefit to the district, The Directors of Reserves from Christchurch, Auckland, Timaru, and others from overseas have been in complete agreement with the suggestion." The Napier superintendeut of reserves, Mr G. W. Corner, was in complete agreement, and his opinion was oue which was respected throughout New Zealand, continued Mr Mayne. The last thing he. said before he left for England was that he hoped the scheme would be carried out. Mr Mayne pointed out that the foreshore was an asset that was not equalled elsewhere in New Zealand and meant more to Napier than any other factor. To go ahead with the proposal would mean developihg an asset that wpuld bring to' Napier thousands of pounds in business. The opportunity was available to make Napier a place in which to do things as well as to see things. If Napier were able to provide amusements for delegateg at large conferenees to the town and to longterm visitors, tho town would have Something no other town had. Oelay Urged Mr M. S. Spence, who seconded the motion pro forma, urged del.^. He fully agreed with Mr Mayne's opinion of the mauner in which the foreshore should. be developed. The fact that Mr Corner was studying the development of wateriug places in England might bring to light further information, and the ratepayers miglit be more disposed fco consider th© matter when the questiton of the theatro was definitely settled. • Hractically every developed foreshore area in England was made in a sunken area, said Mr J. H. Oldham, who spoke in support of tlie motion. The question of tlie parade was one that would have to be taken up in the very near future, and the speaker agreed that the scheme would be one of the best projects ever put for ward, ThO question of the provision for traffic in the narrow roading of the Marino Parade was broached ' by Mr P. F. Higgins in cotmselling delay. The prcsent roading was inadequate for the iucreasing trafl'ic and provision for the extension of tlie roading must com° first, An assuranqe that us soon as tho question of the theatre project was settled, be would back Mr Mayne in a. sc-hemo for the development of the parade, was given by the -Mayor, Mr O, O. Morse. Ho expressed a hope that when the work was commenced, a large portion of the estiniated cost would be alleviated I'y the Governmeiit schem© for the use of labour from men on sustenance, The motion was lost on the voices.