THE TOWN BELT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5050, 31 May 1877, Page 3

THE TOWN BELT.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES._ g [ R ) —I quite agree with what C. has said in your issue of the 29th inst., respecting the Town Belt. . It appears to me that the public of Wellington are supinely allowing themselves to be deprived of their privileges. The Town Belt was reserved for the recreation of the people, yet should anyone be desirous of talcing a ramble over the hills to enjoy healthful breezes and panoramic scenery, such as are not to be obtained on the more uninteresting level of the town, he is regarded as a trespasser, when, in fact, he is on ground to which he has a right in common with his fellow-citizens. In other towns, and notably in Christchurch, the Town Belt has been laid out and planted with trees, so as to make an agreeable promenade for the inhabitants. Here, where we can secure “lungs” for the growing city by the preservation of public reserves, we neglect to secure that blessing; while in England efforts are made at an enormous cost to retrieve the follies of over-crowding and over-building. C. will find some information in the Wellington Reserves Act, section 4. But what has become of the original grant of the Town Belt to the Superintendent of Wellington? Is it still in existence? The whole matter requires exposure to the light of day.—l am, &c..

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sib, —Since I wrote to you on Monday respecting the leasing of portions of the Town Belt, the City Solicitor has explicitly stated to the City Council that the Town Belt can be legally leased. This, I suppose, prevents any action being taken to prohibit the intended sale by means of the Supreme Court; but the question of the sound policy of the proposed lettingof the reserves still remains open to discussion. A very small proportion of the inhabitants know what ground is included in the Town Belt; and I think that in all fairness the sale should be delayed until the residents shall have had an opportunity of freely considering the matter, and determining whether they should ask the Council to rescind their determination to sell the leases. Yesterday I was unable to <*et a copy of the conditions of sale, and as the auction will take place on the sth June, the public will not have sufficient time to become aware of the covenants that will be inserted in the leases. One result will doubtless be that should the sale be held as advertised the full value will not bo obtained. I trust that under all the circumstances his Worship the Mayor will have the sale postponed for another week.

I may state for general information that on Captain Smith’s plan, dated 14tb August, 1840, the Town Belt is shown with dotted lines, and it is thus referred to:—“The dotted lines mark the extent of the land around the town reserved for the enjoyment of the public, and not to be built upon.”—l am, &c.,

Mav 30.