MARINE PARK

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 284, 21 February 1928, Page 16

MARINE PARK

MOTUTAPU SUGGESTED An opinion upon the locality of a suggested marine park for Auckland is ventured by a correspondent, who signs himself “Old Timer,” and who professes a knowledge of the harbour geography.

“The Auckland City Council,” he says, “has taken an option over Rakino Island with the view of adapting the property as a marine park for the public. Rakino is a very nice place and has its advantages and disadvantages as a recreation ground—some consider that Motuihi should be obtained for the purpose by the people of Auckland. Both of these islands are somewhat small in area when one considers the growing requirements of Auckland and its surroundings. Motuihi is Crown property and is a quarantine station, for which it is eminently suitable and as such is an absolute necessity for our large and ever growing port.

“The probabality or possibility of the local authority obtaining this property from the Crown is very remote indeed and it can be dismissed, I think, as an impossible proposition. I have been a resident of these parts for nearly 70 years and have during this period visited and inspected axl the island on the East Coast from the North Cap© to the Bay of Plenty, with the exception perhaps of the Three Kings and a few of the very small rocks which stud the coast line. I consider, without wishing to pose as an egotist, that I am fairly well acquainted with what should be deemed a desirable site for a marine park for the city people, and my suggestion is Motutapu. This island. I claim, is absolutely the pick ,of all sites for our marine park. There are other undoubtedly very fine situations, but Motutapu has claims and charms which are pre-eminent. This property should be taken or acquired compulsorily by the City Council and not dealt with by private negotiation. The island has an area of 4.000 acres or more and posseses at least two very fine bays for landing purposes— Drunken and Home Bays. The public could be conveyed to the island and back in all weathers and the property is infinitely superior to either Rakino or Motuihi for the required purpose of a recreation park and it is also easier of access than its two other neighbours just referred to. The property if acquired would need some little roading and at least two swimming baths should be erected in the bays mentioned. Revenue for the upkeep of the park could be obtained ty leasing a small portion of the island. I suggest leasing in preference to selling, for the reason that the local authority would then always retain the fullest powers over the island and determine the style of architecture of any erections that might be required to accommodate visitors to the park, and those who might perhaps desire to reside there, and also generally to control the conduct of all who might use the island.

Motutapu lends itself eminently for the laying out of a park, with golf links, bowling greens, and recreation grounds for every kind of sport. The property if acquired and laid out in the best manner possible for the purposes indicated. and run on liberal and proper lines for the benefit of all classes of the community, would become the marine show place of the South Pacific and attract annually thousands of visitors from the South, the Australian States and the overseas generally, besides giving our own folks ample opportunity of enjoying the island resort at all times for health and pleasure practically free of all cost. Its two bays would give all the facilities required by our yachting enthusiasts.