WELLINGTON CITY RESERVES.

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

WELLINGTON CITY RESERVES.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sir, —I am exceedingly glad to find the interest at present taken in the question of the Town Belt, and it is not a moment too soon. In 1871 the city was endowed with 1249 acres of land, which, to quote the deed of conveyance, was “ to be for ever used and appropriated as a public recreation ground for the inhabitants of the city of Wellington.” On reference to the plan now issued by the City Council it will be seen that all of the Town Belt now is only 980 acres, which, added to the Basin Reserve of 15 acres, which was granted at the same time and on the same terms, shows only 995 acres remaining for the original use intended. Subject to correction, so far as I can learn the facts, they are these. In 1861 the Superintendent of Wellington received a Crown grant of Town Belt and canal reserve, “in trust for purposes of public utility, to the town of Wellington and its inhabitants." In 1871 the then Superintendent was by Act of Parliament ordered to convey to the Mayor, Councillors, and burgesses of Wellington the whole of this estate, namely, according to schedule, 1234 acres of Town Belt and 15 acres Basin Reserve in terms of deed of conveyance, which were these—that the land in said schedules was “to be for ever used and appropriated as a public recreation ground for the inhabitants of the city of Wellington.” Permission to lease was given, and of the moneys received it was specified that “ one half should be devoted to the ornamentation and utilisation of the lands, and the other half to be used iu the construction and maintenance of roads connecting the streets of the city with the country roads, and for no other purpose.” Subsequently one-sixth of the proceeds was directed to be handed over to the governors of the Botanical Gardens. This deed has not yet been registered. It would he interesting to traoe the history of the alienation of these 250 acres within the last six years, and the corresponding amount of benefit derived by the inhabitants by that Ios» Could the City Council give legality to the practical closure of the Basin Reserve to the inhabitants, except on payment, if the terms of its endowment to the city stated that it was “ to he a public recreation ground for ever ?” Suppose all the hoys of Buckle-street school jumped the fences and played cricket, could they be turned out ? What has been done with the money received for leases these last seven years ? Do the words “devoted to the utilisation of the land” permit the Council to assist in fencing off the sub-sections now foxsale, including of course turnstiles for admission of tlxe public ? At any rate the public must see that not another inch of land is alienated under any pretence whatever.—l am, &c., Citizen.