"OPEN-AIR” GARAGES

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 471, 28 September 1928, Page 12

"OPEN-AIR” GARAGES

DANGER TO PUBLIC RESERVES MOUNT HOBSON CAMP (THE SUN'S Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, Thursday. The intimation that if the Auckland Automobile Association wished to secure a camping site on Mount Hobson it would have to secure special legislation to do so was given this evening by the Hon. A. D. McLeod, who said that he had declined to incorporate any such permission in general terms in the Public Domains, Reserves and National Park Bill then before the House. "It seems to me,” said Mr. J. A. Lee, early in the proceedings, "that the provision of parking places, or camping sites should be made by some other means than by taking areas of public reserves in cities.” He hoped that it was not the Minister’s intention to grant local bodies facilities for turning valuable reserves to such purposes. There was a danger that the Bill migivt allow a local body to establish what in effect were open-air garages in such reserves as Albert Park, Victoria Park, or the Auckland Domain. He reminded the Minister that there was one small reserve in Auckland where a caretaker’s cottage was erected, but later it was found that a caretaker was not required, so some one else was now living there. "I don’t wish to hasten its removal before next election,” added Mr. Lee, "as I believe I know its inhabitant, but while I esteem the support that individual may give me, 1 still have an uneasy feeling because that public property is not being used for the purposes inteded.

"We want to take care,” added Mr. Lee, "that, while being fair to sports bodies and other institutions, we do not encourage local bodies to turn their parks into stadiums for revenue purposes.”

Mr. J. S. Dickson said that Mount Hobson was, in his opinion, most unsuitable for a camping ground, and he considered the proposal to use it as such was entirely wrong. Mr. McLeod said that there was a great necessity in many domains for proper parking facilities, but any domain board, wishing to take steps had to secure ministerial sanction. Mr. J. A. Lee: Will the Minister refuse in this case?

Mr. McLeod: I would not object to the inclusion of a clause stating that parking will be restricted to the cars of visitors. Mr. McLeod read a letter from Mr. G. M. Fowlds, representing the tourist league, setting out the reasons for the selection of Mount Hobson as a camping ground. He had replied that he considered that he would not be justifield in making other provisions than those already given in the Bill, and that to meet such a case not general, but special legislation, would be necessary.

Mr. J. A. Lee: It would have to be done by special Bill. Mr. McLeod: That is so.