CABBAGE TREE SWAMP AS RECREATION PARK

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 203, 16 November 1927, Page 9

CABBAGE TREE SWAMP AS RECREATION PARK

GIFT TO MOUNT ALBERT GENEROSITY OF OWNERS 1 The well-known Cabbage Tree Swamp in the heart of the Mount Albert borough has been the object of a generous gift to the borough by the owners of the property, the trustees in the estate of the late Mr. James dribble and by Mr. S. L. Hirst. Information to this effect was received by the borough council at Its meeting last evening. The Mayor. Mr. L. E. Rhodes, said that the trus i tees in the Gribble estate had ottered the council an area of 64 acres, pro- ' vided an additional area of two acres was bought for £2,out>. Mr. Hlrat. owner of an adjoining block of the swamp land, offered to give 4J acres on condition that the council bqught several road frontages on Edendale Road and Kenneth Avenue for £1,200. The council decided to accept th. gift with thanks, subject to minor al- | terations in the conditions. Loan proposals would be submitted to the rate- | payers asking for authority to pur- ■ chase the necessary land and to raise | money for the development of the area. SWAMP BEING DRAINED The swamp, which is practically a I large lake in the winter, is alread’ being drained by the Mount Albert and Mount Eden Borough Councils. By next winter the swamp will be entirely transformed and as a swamp will have ceased to exist. ‘*l am quite sure the ratepayers would not let such an opportunity slip through their lingers.” said Mr. Rhodes. “The fact that the gift has been made with drainage an assured fact makes it all the more generous. The owners could have sold well had they decided to subdivide the entire property.” LAYING OUT OF AREA It is proposed immediately to call for competitive schemes for the laying out of the area and to decide on certain work to be done ia the meantime. Cabbage Tree Swamp has always been open to the public and tdonors desired that the land should be Yree to the people for all time. The owners of the two properties suggested that the name of the proposed park should be Gribble Hirst Park. When laid out the area will provide re*m for several football or cricket grounds. There would also be ample land for ornamental gardens.