BOROUGH RESERVES.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 4943, 24 February 1926, Page 3

BOROUGH RESERVES.

A.BEAS HELD IN: PAEROA. ‘-V ■ ••• - REPORT BY • THE, MAY 0R... • <■£ At the special meeting of the Pae-, roa Borough' Council! held on- Thursday evening last the-. following information wasr contained in -a comprehensive report brought down by the Mayor (Mr W. Marshall) _ ‘ “There are three classes of reserves in Paeroa. ‘ They are : Recreation Reserves, Municipal Reserves, Drain Re- ■ serves.' .. . > ■ > . '■> ’“Recreation reserves consist of land held in trust for recreation .by -the Borough Council functioning ' for. this, purpose as a domain board.; They are subject to certain, restricr tions, and may not be built upon, or leased: except for pasturage: purposes.', so that free use for. recreation purposes always exists;, and they may not be leased for any period in excess'of one year. They can only. be closed on a certain number of. days a. year,' and the charges for-, admission when’closed are subject-to restrictions; . .' ; - ■; .- ;- ■ : < < “It is on record .that the-main portions of the Paeroa .'Recreation. Reserve, comprised of 8a 3r 28p between King Street and Willoughby' -.‘Street . and 6a Ir known as Primrose. Hill. were -reserved from- sale by the, Crown under theprovisfous-of {section 235 ofthe -Lands'Act,”lB92. The portion beiMrween King Street fahd Willoughby Street then: only extended! to . approximately. -.Opposite the':/Presbyterian Manse in King Street; Sections-1 and 2 of: block XI. and sections' 2 to 11 of: block X. .were - added to the ' domain by Orderdn-Council. The control!-.,0f■ the whole of • the, domain, subject, .to the provisions ..of Part -11. of the. Publie Reserves and Domains Act, ■• 1908,. ■ vas vested<-in the Paeroa Borough - Council by virtue- of an- 1 -Order-in-Council ' dated '.November. ■ 8,.-1915; Mackay Street and parts;, of/ Alpha,. > Hall,' King, Lewis, Olga, a.nd Victoria; streets were closed.and the land-com-prised therein added to the domain..

This addition comprised • 4a. lr 23.5 p,

making a total area at that time in - the recreation reserves, of' 26a IT' 417.65 p. 1 “By Section 298 of “The WashingUp Bill.. 1923,”- an area containing lr 12p was taken/out of the ’recreation ■reserve and'vested in the corporation of the borough for : municipal purposes. By Order-in-Council' a furtherpiece of what'-was Alpha’Street was closed and added to the-domain, the . area of same being ,1'5.9. perches, and. a portion containing It- 3,4 p was.taken for street purposes 'to cpnnect King Street witKCorbett, Street;. ,<Thi6-;re- ■ duced the’ recreation-.reserve.', area to. a total.'of 25 acres 3 roods _ 08.15 perches;- ■ ■ This 'total?:-constitutes-, -an, admirable recreation.-reserve,-,./being right iff the heart the town and //consisting, of-, a fine ley-el--area.-.sui-t- -\ a,ble for 'general, outdoor spbrts ; an,d - the picturesque open space known-as Primrose H,ilh ‘ fron&which a. charming view- of Paeroa and the surround-; ipg country . may be -obtained. PaerOa is fortunate in this respect, and the present generation- and 'the generations yet to be-owe-.a. debt, of gratitude to the public spirited men and * women who’in the past. haye-.laboul.ii ed to make this possession possible... It is- a fine heritage,, and worthy of our appreciation and utmost care. “Generally speaking, the condition., of these reserves is good; but. a .determined and sustained. effort should be made to clean' Primrose Hill of noxious weeds, .'and keep -it -clear. In this connection . I think, the council should' decide, with the consent of the concerned, to - close WOlfe. Street and include it, in the recreation-reserve. This is quite unnecessary as a street. It. is ■ very steep, and'at? present is an eyesore / and a -menace.; This is the portion running* from Thames. .Road past- Mr, Hague-Smith’s house to. Mrs, McCaskill’s, andywhich was theAause of anxiety to these nesidente from fire last year. . V “Another .unsightly 'and noxious weed area, .spoiling the environs of •this beauty sport/is Wood Street be-, hind the . Church -property, the Courthouse, and Post Office. As there would probably be some opposition' to closing this street, 1 .suggest that the- noxious weeds be. cleared and the fences 'remjoyed so - that the land could be used as part : of the r&-_ serve, but remain a street in case jt . is' eve/required .for that-purpose. .. "The- building on thq- donlain, and. also the entrances,, are urgently, in , need ,of painting, an'd,to:-further delay this work will mean, a depreciation of assets, from;weather influences. Some - provision should be made on. ' next year's estimates for this,, work, and .also repairs to. fences, on Primrose Hili, which is ordinary, maintenance work. ~ ‘ '■ \ ' “Municipal Reserves comprise, land vested in the Mayor,.councillors,. and burgesses of the borough and;held Jn trust for municipal purposes.' They may only be sold if the money,receiv-'

ed from the sale is. used ;to.. purchase land to be held for a similar purpose as the land sold. ’ These reserves may. be leased for any period not .exceeding 66 years without a right of re-' neWal, -or for any term not exceeding 21 years with a right of renewal, with certain provisions securing to. the lessee'a continuing right to safeguard his interest- in* buildings or .imprpvermehts> thereon. Every, such leaS|e'if for a longer' period than one year ■must be offered by public auction, or public tender, of which public, notice shall be given at least once not less than 30 days before such sale and twice after such first notice and before such sale. . ' ■’.. “The municipal, reserve, in the Borough of Paeroa consist of .the following “No. 1 consists of an area of 2r 28p, comprised of section 40j-. 41, and 42 adjoining the north, side of W Lloyd’s residence, in,■ Wood Street, add sections 29 ; 30, arid; 31 immediately behind sections 40, .41, 'and 42 and fronting Willoughby Street, all in block. IV. I would suggest that, for the purposes, of reference this' be ’’called the Wood Streetj Municipal Reserve. /’ ■ “No. 2 is composed of sections 1,2,

I 3, and 4, block XXIII./ containing 2a 0r.29p, a,nd has a frontage to Arney ■Street, with a track, through it leading. to. Mr Hague-Smith’s residence, and a frontage to Bennett Street behind the first house and opposite Mr Kenny’s. I would suggest that this, 'be known as - the Bennett Street Municipal Reserve.

“ No. 3 consists of sections 1,3, and 7, block XXVI., containing an area of 3a lr 30p, fronting Bennett Streetnearly opposite Nahum Street. It is used as a public pound, and is known as the’ Pound Reserve. • No. 4 has a frontage to Onstow. Street, and commences almost opposite the top of Bennet Street and’eon--tinues. generally , iif aii easterly direction to Range. Street, and is bounded on the southern side by, Mr Buchanan’s property. It contains an area of 2a 'lr. 23p. I would suggest that' it be known; as the Onslow Street Munir, cipal'Reserve. ‘‘No.- 5 conisist|s of-an area ,of Ila 2r lOp, including 8 acres adjoining the eastern boundary ,of Onslow Street reserve,* a.nd, continues generally on its southern boundary ; with the southern 'boundary of the Onslow Street reserve, 1 and is bounded-on the <nort(h: Slide by*the..rifle range rand has arfrontage £o Range Street. .The, re-, , maining-; 3a '2r 19p is .on ■ the north side of*the rifle range/, and also has a ' frontage to /Range Street. I propose that it be> known ai? 'the Rifle- Range Reserve/ ? f , , ’ a “No-. 6 consists of an areaf-hontain-ing lr 12p on which is. erected the fife station’;, and' ’.borough. shed?. . I would suggest that it be known as the Fire ' Station - and Borough Yard Municipal Reserve! >.

"NO. 7 is the area just, acquired in the- Ra(vhitiroa- .block consisting of. 3a Or 17.7 p in Rawhitiroa, B No. 28, and 2r,19p in No; 3A, with a total, of 3a 2r '36.7p, havings a frontage to Te Aroha- Road- adjoining the Paeroa Lawn Tennis Club’s property,* and MiHedge’s residence. •,1 would suggest that- this, be known as the, Rawhiti Reserve. . t gNo.- 8-is siec'tion 27, block L, town of Paeroa- situated in Nbrman.by Road, to which it has "a; frontage of.-49ft.6in by.rU depth of 99ft.' .It was transferred to the borough corporation by. the trustees of the Ohinemuri Public Lib-rary-by-deed of-assignment.- The final steps in this matter do not appear to have been completed, and I have written' a'skiirg for information thereon. The municipal, chambers are in- the ■ course-i of.erection on. this' Site, and it could ./well be known as the Municipal Chambers Reserve. ■ ■ No. 9, the only other land.,, owned by the borough .corporation, -is the section on /which the present library stands,' - next; to the - County Chambers, and the - land ,oh -which, the-.morgue is erected. I'understand that these are absolutely unencumbered. by any restrictions. • and may be used by the council-.'for any. purpose. -But it niust be ’remembered*:that the' council has given .an undertaking ,to lat ; all. times provide; land and buildings, .for a public library; 1 - "No. small triangular piece of property; at-;.the bottom of Bennett Street which was.-acquired with the 'purchase of a piece: for s,treet purposes. It should -be sold if,: and when,. circumstances!: are favourable. The-Wood Street reserve is'mainly a-low-lying swamp, being ■« continuation - of the ' gully. running ' through- the reserve recently -handed over to the Education Department. -Section. No. 40 is the- best portion .and would btTsuitable for building- a, cottage on. Possibly at spme- later sdate it may serve 'for an- employee's cottage; in the meantime! L would suggest* that tenders be invited for. the leaste of this reserve for at period- of six years, the lessee’ to erect a legal post, and wire fence and clean the Sections within nine months; and dur-, ing the currency of thej lease to keep the land clear,'-and?-free of all noxious weeds. /• The’ Bennett Street reserve! Is •partly, swairip arid ’ partly ;good; Idvel ■ land'. It .is bounded on, the. south-e ast side '-by a street “-which runs from Bepnett to Wolfe Streets, , and separates the reserve from Mr HaguOSmith’s property. I. would / sugges t ;that this street be closed.-.with'Mr jHague-Smith's? consent, and the area cleared, fenced, and grassed,’, when, tb would - make a ‘ useful grazing pa(ddoqkv . The estimated** cost of tliis work is, £3O. ,At present this laijd .is growingmoxious weeds,:and is an eyesore....

“ The pound reserve is very broken, but a portion of it amounting to .about one and a half, acrers could be cleared, grassed, • and ploughed. To /do this 1 , a short fence would be required to) temporarily separate it from the" remainder of the pound. The estimated-cost would be £2O. A' price of £6 has been , obtained for all the. labour, and I recommend that this work be carried out not only flor the improvements which would be effected, but because it should materially the sustenance cost of the •pound.- v * •“The (Onslow Street reserve is fairly steen country, sloping to the north,, 'but. it is ploiighahle. -b would suggest that tenders be called for the lease of same a period of 10 years',, the lessee., to ; ring fence, clear,!- plough, and lay in permanent'English grass, ■es wjthin' 18 months .and. during i:he currency of such lea.se keep la.nd clear of noxious weeds.

“The Rifle Range reserve-is. partly a continuation of the Onslow Street ■reserve, and this, portion, which contains 8 acres, also* slopes to the north. Some -pines are growing bn part of this, and some are wbrtjhy of preservation. I would sjuggest that about -4 acres immediately "east of Range Street should be used for afforestation purposes, and a programme, entered upon of clearing one acre a year and planting same in a good eucalyptus tree, suitable for pole purposes.- This would me.au planting about 800 trees a year for the next four years.. The estimated cost is £3's a year ; thus the total, expenditure.would be approximately £l4O, ahd in about 30 years' time the trees, should be worth over £3OOO. “The-balance of the Rifle Range reserve T suggest should be leased on terms identical with those suggested for the Onslow reserve, with the ad-

dition of' indemnifying clauses -covering the conditions on which the-re-serve is by the council. “The , Rawhiti reserve is in good order, but some of the fences are. not in the proper positions. I think these ishould-be put right immediately, and that a portion of -the unused street at the back boundary of this* reserve should be temporarily included in the fenced area. This would give about another acre, temporarily, and the advantage of the grazing would - be gained by the borough coi-poratic-n. An approximate estimate for this work is £25. The front boundary’' hedge -also requires trimming. own feeling is that .-the ■ area should be kept for an' open.space for posterity, and probably used for a sports ground. The potsition is excellent,-' a,nd: most suitable in every w’ay. There is. a very 'desirably area of a. little ove? three-quarters- of an . acre adjoining thia block which • does • not appear to be on the valuation roll, and I have been unable to ascertain who owns'same, but of course we can do so by applying to the department ' for the information. Judging by the adjacent values, the Government val,-. nation should be in -.* the vicinity qf £5O. This extra piece would make a •very valuable addition to the. reserve, and, if possible; should be acquired.- .. ' • •. ■ •

“The total expenditure on .munici-, p.al reserves for. the first .financial year ‘as -recommended 1 in this report amounts* to "£llO, and I realise that the general account* cannot .find the money ; but I .suggest that the. work: be- authorised a,nd the money voted from-the profits of the Ngahina Wharf ■Account, and that-the £35. a year, for planting purposes may also be f found from.the same source.--' I.do not wish it * to be • understood' ;as in f avour of spending all the income- from this account, as it may , be needed a,t a later stage' for purposes connected with the port. But.it has been a source of income.. which has not] come from" the ratepayers’ pockets,.and is a direct result of the labours, of the members of the council, and' I. have always desired to sec the improvements suggested .to-night, put into effect, a.nd ventured to hope when, commencing tires Ngahina Wharf negotiations that it, would provide the necessary revenue to do. these things, which will -be .of .lasting benefit •to the ratepayers, buij which they could not afford just at present to* do. , :: / * - “Class 3 are lands reserved fpr the. purpose of public • drains,.- -So; far as -I know there are only two .in the borough. The first extends from the outletl’of the main drain to Rye Lane, and is 50 Links in width. The other reserve is 'on the outfall, drain from King - Street to Corbett Street, but J have not been able-so far to ascer-tain-the Gazette reference to the proclamation.” • A

Or. P. B. Brenan,. on behallf.' of the council and the burgesses, extended, hearty 'thanks to the Mayor for the. •splendid report, - and said that now the matter of reserves had been/tabu■lated the information would;,prove of lasting and'inestimable benefit to,succeeding icouncilsi, ais' well as to the ratepayers.' He had pleasure in moving the adoption of the report -in entirety. Cr./Edwards supported the remarks ■of the previous speaker, and in seconding the.-motion said that, it .was very desirable that many, of the-areas should be cleaned of noxious weeds, and, ■ if possible, -made • revenue-pro-ducing. -, ‘ v Cr. Hare said he- thought that the .residents of Paeroa would be agreeably surprised to learn that they had isuch valuable reserves in their midst., The Mayor suggested that a councillor might organise a small .working bee to trim the hedge fronting -the Rawhiti reserve. /■ Several ■■ councillors 'favoured; ;tHesuggestion’;- but there were no offers to undertake the work. . Cr. de Castro drew attention -to the danger that existed : to-. pedestrians using the unformed, portion :of Wood Street, and said that he thought something should be done to remove the risk of accidents! occurring., Cr. Edwards said that provision ha.d been made ,to . deal with the area in the report. < Referring to the leasing of sections, f£re Mayor,' replying to Cr. Edwards; ;3d'd that if a lease was for over a term of. 12 months'the law required the sections, to, be advertised.