TURUA RESERVE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4560, 7 May 1923, Page 1

TURUA RESERVE.

PROPOSED RATING AREA. , QUESTION OF CONTROL. > | Affairs in connection with the proposed recreation grounds at Turua were advanced another step at a meeting of the Town Board on Wednesday last. Acting under instructions the clerk had written to the Municipal Association explaining the position and asking for a legal opinion, The counsel to the association had replied' that the Town Board could accept a tranferi from the private owners of the land and administer it as a recreation ground under the Public Reserves and Domains Act and its amendments without, forming a domain boaild. The same would equally apply to the adjoining lands if purchased by the Town Board under the Municipal Corporations Act, for which purpose the Town Boat d could raise a loan. All the land could then be administered as one recreation ground. - In regard to the question raised by the clerk as to whether the Tbwn Board could get legal control of the 7% acres adjoining by purchasing 1 jr with a loan /raised by the County Council, as the Town Board ' was not an independent body, and covering by a rate over a special rating area comprising the Town Board district and a large amount of land in the Hauraki Plains County which it is considered would be benefited by the acquisition of the recreation ground, the opinion was given that the County Council could only acquire' the land cut of the county fund—i.e., general rates. If this was done the land would be vested in the Crown as a public domain, and would be administered by the County Council out of the county fund pending the appointment of a \ domain board. The County could appoint, the Town Board the domain board. Oh the whole ‘he. case appeared to be one for special legislation in the “Washing-up BUI.” Messrs G. Gray and G. Porteous, representing the Turua Sports Club and the Football Club were present at the meeting. The clerk stated that it was highly improbable that the County would purchase the extra land out . of the county fund. In regard to the present reserve, Messrs Bagnall Bros, could either hand it over to the Crown, as they proposed doing, or to the Town . Board, to be administered as a recreation .reserve. Mr Gardiner pointed out that the Crown would not accept the land until the roads were dedicated,, and that would probably take a couple of years. Mr Porteous said that, all the sports bodies were against the formation of a domain board, as a charge for admission could then be made only on a very limited number of days. ;Mr Gardiner said . that- the first, thing to be dorje was to inform Mr Bagnall that if the land was vested in the Crown it would become a domain. ■ In reply to Mr Porteous members said they were prepared t,o approach Mr Bagnall and ask him to vest the land in the Town Board immediately. , The Board was, however, not prepared to raise a special loan to purchase the extra 7% acres. Considerable discussion ensued on the ’price asked for the 7% acres, and Mr Olsen 1 suggested that the sections facing the Piako road, be , cur .out. They were the most, valuable sections, and in his opinion 12 acres would be sufficient for a recreation ground. 1 ~ , 'Mr Gardiner suggested that the area be purchased and a small deposit paid. The interest could be met out of revenue from the ground. Members thought that a loan over a special rating area would be advisable. A petition from the proposed area should be presented to the County. 'lt was looking ahead, but the ground should be obtained while ;t was available. The Sports Club, the Football Club, and the Ratepayers’ Association desired that this be done, and were waiting'for the Town Board t.o act. ' • Considerable discussion arose on the question of the boundaries of the proposed rating area. Finally it was decided that the, Board prepare a.petition and. have it circulated in th’ proposed special rating area with the object of getting the consent of the ratepayers to be included in that special rating area for .the purpose of raising a loan to purchase 7'% acres as an addition to the recreation ground. - The petition would be presented to the Government with the object, of having a clause inserted in the "Washing-up Bill” 1 empowering the Board to raise a loan , ovcJr its. area and the area in the- county. The boundaries of the proposed special rating area were from the river at the Wharepoa ferity, up the Kerepeehi road to ChatflekTs' corner, thence along the freehold, boundary to Hamilton’s, on the Orchard East Road, thence up the roaid to Perry’s comer, thence along the Kopuarahi road to the school, thence down they Shelly Beach road to A. Read’s section, thence to R. MiEler’s northern boundary, thence to the riven and back to the starting point at the Wharepoa ferry. , ‘ . ' IMPROVEMENTTS TO RESERVE. Mr Porteous jstatcd that Mr F. Olsen had offered a benefit picture entertainment for the improvements to the recreation [reserve if the Town Board, would donate £lO, as promised. The chairman saiid he doubted whether the Board' co'iild od its share until it had contro I «of the area. Members said thut the Board was

morally bound tp_dp its share, as they, had pledged its support, but, the legal position as to whether they could legally do so should be ascertained. > On the motion of Mr Gardiner, seconded by Mr Scott, it was decided to obtain this opinion. Mr Davies contended that the Boaru already temporary control, and would probably have permanent, control before the end of the financial year. He moved that the Board's donation of £lO be paid. Mr Gardiner seconded, and the motion was carried.