GEAR ISLAND.

Hutt News, Volume 2, Issue 21, 17 October 1929, Page 8

GEAR ISLAND.

SHOULD IT BE LEASED TO SPORTS BODIES? CONFERENCE T?O BE HELD.

The question of leasing Gear Island was the subject for lengthy discussion at Tuesday night's meeting of the Hutt River Board when four tenders were received for the leasing of Gear Island. They were: The Wellington Rugby Union, Shandon Golf Club, Mr. A. Lees and Mr. R. A. Wilton.

As tenders wore called for a period not .exceeding ten years, Mr. Mitchell maintained that the tender of Mr. A. Lees was the only one in order.

In each case, the tenderer submitted a tender with the condition " that they be exempted from Tfttefl. 77

Mr. Mitchell moved' that Mr. Lees' tender be accepted. Mr. Gostelow

seconded.

The Chairman (Mr. W. T. Strand), said that the Board was under a moral obligation to the Shandon Golf Club as they had set a basis for tie others. He was certain that' if the position •was put to the club they, would agree to a lease of ten years. He said tie piece of land required by tie Golf Club

was not in any way a3. good as 'the

remaining piece. '^4 Mr. Hewer said that he was of toe opinion that it was the Board's aim to make Gear Island a sports area. Although, there had only been two offers from sports bodies, he felt sure that with ■ a little more advertisement find consideration, better offers might be made. Perhaps if the Board made the lease a yearly one it might help.

Mr. Strand said that the time when sport 9 bodies would be greatly inter3=jted ia the island is so near that if tiha Hugh;-- Union and other sports bodies ■; were made aware of the position they would get. better offers* He was of the ojnnion that the land should be given to sports bodies and not to any privato individual. He agreed that the '• land should not be tied up, for more .• than ten years. He assured members *. that 90 per cent of the ratepayers favoured th^ island as a sports area and » he had not heard one single expression \ against encouraging 3ports. The Board had been trying to do -wnat it could to make this open space a place for sport Open spaces are only too few and tuo scarce in all boroughs. /He asked members to picture for themselves what a beautiful place could be made of Gear Island j in fact, one of the most beautiful places in the Dominion. He referred to tie great possibilities that offered and said he was certain that it was only by looking to these possibilities and by building them up that Gear islan.i could be made a monument of which, the Board could be proud.

Mr G-ostelow said that the Board had been considering the question of leasing the island for general sport for two" years and after all the discussion and advertising only- two sports bodies •had tendered. He was quite certain that the time was not ripe for making it . a sports area. He considered that the Board had done its- part in that direction and was of the opinion thVt Mr. T.ees was entitled to some co'nsid-ira-tijon.

Mr. J. Mitchell said ,tiat the Board should not think of leasing the land for 42 years and with. the consent of his seconder reduced the time in his motion to a five years term. v t

The motion was then pat. T?or: Messrs Gostelow and MitchelL. Against . Messrs Smit>a, Hewer an 3 BtrantL "&

Mtr Gostelow moved that conßiderari, tioa. of the. tenders be held over, , M-.- Strand seconded^. Carried^" Mr Strand moved tna,t all tfce spOTtS bodies in the Wellington and Hutt Vihey district be invited to meet the Board at a conference.. Mr. Smith seconded. Carried. Tn answer to a question by Mr. Hewer as to whether adequate provision was made to give access to Gear Island, the engineer replied that aeceee -would be given from both boroug&s.