WOULD BE PLAGUE SPOT

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 614, 16 March 1929, Page 13

WOULD BE PLAGUE SPOT

SPEAKER VISUALISES HOBSON BAY’S DANGER MINISTER APPROACHED “I think I can say without exaggeration that if the project is allowed to go further the bay will be turned into a plague spot,*-' said Mr. L. P. Leary this morning, on behalf of a deputation of 16 citizens, to the Hon. E. A. Ransom, Minister of Public Works. The request of the deputation was that the Minister should do all in his power to prevent the proposed building of railway assembling yards in Hobson Bay. Mr. H. R. Jenkins, M.P. for Parnell, introduced the deputation as “mostly residents of Remuera.” “I do not think there is anywhere a. city of such beauty as Auckland that has been so abused,” lie observed. “The members of the deputation feel very keenly on the subject, and are of opinion that when they met Mr. Coates before the elections he treated them in a rather off-hand manner.” After apologising for the absence of the Mayor, Air. G. Baildon, and others, Air. Leary detailed the history of the movement against the proposed yards Never in Xew Zealand had there been such a civic clamour as when the intention of the department became known, he said. All three Auckland newspapers had been unanimous—a most unusual event —and those who had taken part in the widespread protests represented every section of the community, and every shade of public opinion from the clergy to trade unions. “The front door is not the place for a dust tin—that sums up the arguments we wish to place before you.” The whole of Auckland was behind the deputation, he said. It might be suggested that only a few sheds would be placed in the bay for a start, but that would mean the starting of something that would be bound to enlarge. Mr. Leary showed the Alinister the plan of Hobson Bay published recently in The Sun and handed him a number of photographs of the locality. Residents of Remuera lift’d bought their homes on the assumption that the outlook would be unimpaired, he declared. The position was that the Harbour Board and the Government were above townplanning laws, and it was to those ,in authority that residents were obliged to appeal. Messrs. P. Upton and J. Park also spoke, the latter stressing the contention that there were other more economical places for the building of the yards. ‘‘lt is obvious that this question is of vital interest to the whole community," replied the Minister. “I view it with importance and will inspect the locality, afterwards putting the position before Cabinet.” Sir George Fowlds expressed his gratification that the Minister had recognised the fact that the community as a whole was concerned. He was present, though he lived five or six miles from Hobson Bay.