RECLAIMING HOBSON BAY

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1037, 30 July 1930, Page 8

RECLAIMING HOBSON BAY

NOW that a scheme for the reclamation of Hobson Bay has been presented hi concrete form, there is every reason to hope and expect that the Harbour Board and the City Council will have no difficulty in finalising the necessary arrangements. Attractive plans on practical lines have been drawn up by the Ilobson Bay Preservation Society, and a study of these, together with a review of the existing position, should convince the most prudent of citizens or civic administrators that, if the finances can be satisfactorily arranged, there is no need for further hesitation.

As The Sun maintained a year and more ago, Hobson Bay in its existing condition is unsightly and unwholesome —a harbour eye-sore and a decided embarrassment to residents whose homes in the eastern suburbs overlook its tidal flats and sewer pipeline. Fortunately, it is suitable for reclamation, and the formation of 100 acres of dry land with the object of transforming this area into a park and recreation ground is the logical solution of the problem. Wljen it is realised that, despite a plenitude of parks and open spaces, Auckland is in need of extra playing nreas close to the City, and more especially in the eastern portion, the scheme assumes a still more engaging aspect. Tennis courts and other facilities for special forms of recreation can be made revenue producing, and the possibility that part of “Ilobson Park” could be reserved for show or local exhibition purposes must commend itself to the authorities who will bear the financial burden of the work. Incidentally, it must be recognised that a general enhancement of values will follow the transformation of a most unprepossessing stretch of harbour frontage. The Ilobson Bay Preservation Society deserves the thanks of the community for the spade work it has tackled and carried out. Generous encouragement was not always forthcoming, but members held fast to the general principle that a potentially useful bay flanking a valuable residental area could not be allowed to remain as it is. The plan that has been evolved may he subject to alteration in lay-out and minor details, but at present it is difficult to visualise a scheme equally reasonable or economical that would offer a wider range of attractive features. The final arrangements, however, are out of the hands of the society and must be settled by the Harbour Board and the City Council. When the first proposals of the board met with the disapproval of the council there was the possibility of an unfortunate deadlock, but the board’s recent promise to consider favourably the granting of half the area in fee simple with the balance on lease, clarifies the position considerably and promises to place the council in a stronger and much more satisfactory position. The community will be unanimous in the hope that Hobson Bay’s mudflats are destined to become a beautiful harbour park.