THE PEOPLE'S LAND.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5052, 2 June 1877, Page 2

THE PEOPLE'S LAND.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW ZEALAND TISIES. Sir, —lu continuation of the subject of the Town Beit reserves, which the Corporation propose leasing by public auction on the sth of June next, I will make a few more remarks, and in doing so I must express my regret that there is such an utter want of public spirit on the part of those who ought to come forward in defence of the just rights of the citizens. The Town Belt always did, and does still, belong to the people. The legislation that has already taken place with regard to this public estate has been illegal, wrong in principle, and detrimental to the public interest in practice ; and if not too late, even at the eleventh hour further action ought to be stopped, and a public meeting convened to prevent any further appropriation of that estate which was originally intended for the health and recreation of the citizens of Wellington ; and as the public may not be in possession of the facts I will give a short history of how the matter stands, so that the people have themselves to blame if they do not conic forward and protect their own interest.

It is generally admitted that the walks and drives about Wellington are few, and in the early days of the foundation of this, the first and principal settlement of the New Zealand Company, the Town Belt was always looked to for the purpose of making a carriage drive round the city, and recreation grounds for the people, planting ornamental trees and shrubs, and otherwise beautifying the suburbs. lu 1862, the Superintendent appointed a Board of City Reserve Commissioners, viz., W. B. I). Man tell, G. R. Carter, R. Stokes, W. Lyon, W. Ritzherbert and J. H. Wallace. Theresult of this commission can be briefly described by an extract from the published report of the Commissioners, Proviucial Gazette, Vol. x., No. 44. September 3, 1863. The Commissioners report having had a survey made by Mr. Hughes and a map prepared. Area of the Town Belt, 1200 acres, divided into 65 allotments ; the greater part let to 31 individuals, for 14 years, at an annual rent of £6OO 3s. 9d. The Botanical Gardens Reserve was let, as a temporary protection, to Mr. David Robertson. The Coramisioners report having “ reserved a most suitable block of land, containing about 143 acres, on the east side of the Canal and Basin Reserve, as a site for a public park, which it is to be hoped will be soon fenced in.” This valuable reserve for a public park for the Te Aro end of the city baa been appropriated for a College and Hospital reserve and for the Lunatic Asylum. When the Com-

missioners made this reserve, it was very properly looked upon as a most valuable and beautiful estate for the use of the citizens. The Commissioners further report—“ The Canal and Basin Keserve, to the extent of nearly 12 acres, has, by the valuable aid of the prison labor, been reclaimed from the state of an impassable swamp to valuable and almost dry land. Twenty-four chains of outlet-drain, 6ft. wide and 4ft. deep, have been formed. About 64 chains of open and covered branch drains have been constructed, and a considerable portion of this ground has been sown with grass-seed." A public subscription was raised of £9B 10s., supplemented by an equal amount from the Government, and the ground was fenced and planted with‘a thpri ,‘iedge. The Commissioners conclude thei^report by stating that they hand over to the Superintendent the leases and counterparts (signed by the Commissioners), a statement of receipts and expenditure, all the correspondence, and an authentic map of the Town Belt as surveyed off into allotments. This map, I may observe, is in the Corporation office. The duties of the Commissioners ceased. The Town Board, and since then the Corporation, and now a board of trustees have charge of the Canal and Basin Keserve.

Now, instead of granting any further leases, how much more sensible would it be to have the Belt planted, as in Christchurch and other New Zealand cities, with ornamental shrubs, quantities of which can be procured at a very small cost ; good carriage drives and walks made, and recreation grounds established for the benefit of the health and pleasure of the inhabitants. The population of Wellington is increasing at a rapid rate, and the city authorities, who have already received some £BOOO orthereaboutsfromTownßelt rents, would only bedoingtheir dutyin usingthe Town Belt for the benefit of the people, and not for that of private individuals. The benefit that the city would derive from Town Belt rents will not for one moment compare with the advantageswhichthe present and future generation would obtain by the free and unfettered use of the people’s land. I will conclude by stating that I shall be very happy to act in concert with those of my fellow citizens who will come forward and take up this important question.—l am, &c., J. Howard Wallace. Lower Terrace, Wellington, May 31.