THE Pukekohe and Waiuku Times PUBLISHED TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS. TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 1913. RECREATION GROUND LOAN.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 1, Issue 61, 21 January 1913, Page 2

THE Pukekohe and Waiuku Times PUBLISHED TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS. TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 1913.

RECREATION GROUND LOAN.

" We nothing extenuate, nor get down auqht in malice."

Lately we have heard a good many whispers of discontent about the proposal to borrow money for the purpose of purchasing (with the aid ot £750 Government money) the properties of Messrs costello and McGough for a recreation ground. Mr CosteJlo's original offer, through his agent, was to sell acres for £IOSO, or at the rate of £123 10s 6d per acre. Later on, when the written option was finally arranged, the offer was made to read 8 acres fot £IOOO, or at the rate of £125 per acre. So far as we are concerned, while we noted the slight difference in the price, we.did not consider it as being worth any comment, and we still regarded the purchase of this 8 acres for £iooo as good business, especially as £750 was to come from the Government. But we did not know then that the half-acre which had been withdrawn from the original offer of 8£ acres was (from the point of view of a domain) the most important spot, and the very eye of the section. This half-acre i< right on the corner of Queen and Harris streets, and by being cut off the configuration of the ground is most detrimentally affected. The proper place for big double gates to the ground was unmistakably at that corner. In our opinion that was where the ticket box and flagpole should have been, as being the most conspicuous point. Whether the buildings \«hich we presume it is intended to erect on this half-acre be for business or for dwelling purposes the result will be to disfigure the grounds and to render any plan of ornamentation, bo far as that corner is concerned, exceedingly difficult, and in any case it will take years to accomplish. So far as financial liability is concerned, we presume that the Council will have to bear half the cost ol fencing this halfacre, and it will certainly be bound to make footpaths along to the gates, which must now be either in Harris street or further along Queen street. If the half-acre had remained in the area all this expense would have been avoided. It has oeen stated that Mr Costello is in no wise concerned whether the Council buy the property or not, as he has another buyer waiting. We are glad that is so, because it leaves the position quite open for a free discussion. We do not know whether this particular half-acre is irrevocably reserved, but if it is not we urge upon the Mayor to negotiate at once for a variation of the option, so as to include the corner piece in the area. If this can be done before Friday we will be glad to make the announcement so that ratepayers will know about it before Tuesday, when the poll on the proposed £2OOO loan will De taken. 1 here is now a good deal of opposition to the proposal—an opposition which has actively developed during the past few days—and we are seriously afraid that if it goes to the ratepayers as it stands the loan proposal will not be carried. We hope that the Mayor and Mr Costello will be able to effect the suggested adjustment.