GEAR ISLAND.

Hutt News, Volume 6, Issue 6, 17 June 1927, Page 3

GEAR ISLAND.

PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE. (Contributed.) And why in the first place Gear Island ? There is nothing especially attractive about the word "Gear." It makes me think of tinned meat, and motors. Why not change the name, as the use of the island will surely be changed, and make the name signify something. Surely the Maoris had a name for the place when they raided the haunts of the native wild-fowl? How would Estuary Island do? or the Playground, Sports Island, or some similar title? Years ago, when there was such a quantity of land to spare the island was not thought a.great deal of, and handed over to the River Board, who have since drawn rents from the place. Of late there has been much desultory discussion as to what will become of the island. Different schemes have been put forward with regard .to its disposal, none so far having been taken up with any degree of enthusiasm. A proposal has been made recently by the Wellington Rugby Union to lease the island for fifty years. We feel no animosity towards the Rugby Union, but think that the place is too big to hand over to such a body, interested as they are in one game only. There are many sports bodies who may consider that they, have an equal right to a place on our island, and this article is written with the object of awakening interest in this important matter. There is the rival code to be considered, the hockey players,

lacrosse, basket-ball, and in the summer the cricketers should have their turn, and the tennis players. The time is now ripe to get together, for by the report of the last meeting of the River Board there seems to be a tendency in some quarters to rush things. And here, let us emphasise the fact that it is our island. By that we mean the Hutt River Board's ratepayers—practically the Hutt Borough. In this we do not mean- to be parochial; but it is very easy for misconception to a<rise, and we have heard of Gear Island being claimed by Petone people as their future playground. Good luck to them, we say. There is room for all of us; but let those who pay the piper choose the tune. We think that the River Board itself should manage its own business, not running to this or that sports body for its opinion. Of course we know that the sperts bodies of this district are not affiliated to any appreciable extent, and there is nobody who can speak for all the organisations. But the time must come when all the different branches of sport will unite, and come to the Hutt River Board with a comprehensive scheme. We have confidence in the board

that when that time comes, they will act in the best interests of the ratepayers concerned, the sports bodies, and the people of the Valley. And here, we would put in a query. What did the Rugby Union offer for the lease of the island? and we have every right to know. There has been too much secrecy in times past in the affairs of our borough. Secrecy is sometimes necessary in business affairs, but there is a limit which is soon reached, and, according to many, has been exceeded in the Hutt Borough. Here, also, we must admit in fairness to the public men in our midst that we, as a borough, and as River Board ratepayers, have been very weH served in the past. But why the need for such haste in the settlement of this question? In this case time ,is not the essence of the contract. The matter should be settled in the best interests of all concerned,' even if a whole season should slip by. For all that, the present, is the time for action. . r.<3 ■• • ■ Wake up, ye sportsmen! Wake up,: ratepayers^ and may your island become a thing of beauty, a centre lof health and happiness—a joy, indeed> for all time.