MANUREWA.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 184, 20 June 1916, Page 3

MANUREWA.

RECREATION GROUND SCHEME.

The advisability of Manurcwa, which at present is unable to lay claini to the possesssion of any domain territory whatsoever, securing a certain area of land as a scenic icscrve and recreation ground, whs urged by Mr E. S. Fegler at the meeting of the Manu rewa Town Board on Thursday last. With an ideal site, such as is proposed by Mr Pegler, there can be no question as t» the desirability of the project, but the provision of ways and means and ability to secure the property at a price commensurate with the objects aimed at furnish an obstacle that is not easy to surmount. With generous co-operation on the part of Manurewa's many wealthy residents and with some self-denial on the part of the Syndicate owning the land through recognition of special treatment being ( warranted for a scheme ot a public nature, which will moreover tend to enhance the value of the remainder of their holding, it may yet come about that Mr Pegler will accomplish the object at which he aims. The site suggested by Mr Fegler ia what is known as the old picnic ground that forms part of the Puriri Park, now owned by the Purin Pars Syndicate, and which formerly belonged to the late Mr Godwyn Smith. The portion, which Mr Pegler proposes to acquire for public purposes, consists of live acres ot lovely standing bush and about seven acres ot flat meadow land sdaptable for euch sports as bowling, croquet, football, etc., the same tit present forming the entrance to the estate and adjoining Mr L>. L. Nathan's residence. Although under war conditions a Government subsidy on local contributions is hardly likely to be lortbeoming yet when brighter times arrive such would probably be secured. f In bringing the matter under the notice of the Town Board, Mr Pegler said he thought that the proprietary Syndicate would be prepared to deal easier with the public than with an individual buver. The property would soon be offered for sale, 'and if the opportunity of securing the site be proposed as a domain was not taken advantage of it would pass into private hands for building purposes. Two Government officials bad recently inspected the site, and he believed that they would recommend it as worthy ot a Government subsidy. All those he had spoken to were favourable to his scheme, and bad expressed willingness to subscribe towards its accomplishment. A? to price, he considered the figure would be in the vicinity ot £2OO per acre. Mr F. E. White remarked that the Syndicate purchased the property at £7& per acre, and his idea vas that they should not ask more than £IOO per acre for the purposes of a domain.

The chairman, Mr 1. J. Conn, considered that a figure of £2OO was out of reason for public purposes.

The clerk, Mr A. G. Mabce, stated that on the new valuation roll the value of the property figured at £IOO per acre, whereupon the chairman remarked that the Government would certainly not subsidise its purchase at double the price n[ its valuation. On the request of the chairman, Mr Peglcr promised to communicate with the proprietary Syndicate, and to submit a delinite offer of purchase at ths next meeting of the Board.

The new overhead railway bridge on the Great South road is well under way. Workmen are also busy on the cutting adjacent to the site of the new railway station, and a temporary bridge of timber has been erected to give acccsß to the existing station. Properties in the district are in tree demand, and several Auckland syndicates have recently acquired blocks of land, which are to be roaded and sub-divided.