HOBSON BAY PARK

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

HOBSON BAY PARK

DELEGATION APPROACHES CITY COUNCIL QUESTION OF FEE SIMPLE "We feel, as private citizens, that we have gone as far as w« possibly, or rather, properly can. Any further advancement would seem like intermeddlement with the City Council’s affairs.” This was the remark of Mr. L. p. Leary, who was one of a large sad influential deputation which waited on the Parks Committee of the council yesterday afternoon to urge that the scheme to preserve Hobson Bay as a park be undertaken at tfle earliest moment by the council. The deputation, which was introduced by Cr. G. \V. Hutchison, numbered about 30 and Included Mr. Charles Rhodes, Mr. H. R. Jenkins, Mr. A. J. Stratford, Mr. Walter Massey and Mr. W. F. O'Donnell, the two last-named representing the Agricultural and Pastoral Association. “GREAT OPPORTUNITY”

The principal speaker, the Hon. Sir George Fowlds, said that the Hobson Bay Preservation Society was not composed of persons working In their own interests, but of citizens living in all parts of the City and suburbs, who believed that there was a great opportunity for Auckland to make an advance which would be in inestimable value to all time. The society had the idea of getting the reclamation done (as outlined in last evening’s Sun) and securing its lease at a peppercorn rental for 100 years. The chance of the land ever being recalled at the expiry of that period would be very small. Sir George mentioned the fine reserve which «u a part ot Toronto. The same opportunity awaited Auckland, and formation of the reserve would be a tremendous asset to the City. He advocated that it be proceeded with moderate rapidity. “PUBLIC WITH US”

"We know that the public wants this done,” said Mr. Leary. “When, some time ago. there was a proposal for commercialisation of the area, there was a storm in the Press and in the whole of Auckland.”

Speaking of finances. Mr. Leary mentioned that one contractor he could name had intimated that he would be prepared to receive payment by City Council debentures. This ought to be an easy way of finding the money, and an equitable one. Revenue would come from 'easing out the area. Already the Agricultural and Pastoral Association had expressed willingness to assist. Leasing would be like a snowball, for once a part was let leasing would gain momentum. RIPARIAN RIGHTS

Mr. Leary expected no difficulty about riparian rights. He understood that those rights of people living on the Burwood Crescent side had

already been extinguished. If the Harbour Board scheme, which was to give the council the fee simple of 50 acres and lease the remaining 50 acres at a peppercorn rental, did not commend itself to the council then a conference between the two authorities might be arranged. The Mayor, Mr. G: Baildon, in asking what the scheme was likely to cost, expressed the view that it would involve about £I.OOO an acre. Mr. E. N. Ormiston. one of the promoters of the project, believed that it could be done much more cheaply The Harbour Board had reclaimed 61 acres at Stanley Bay for a total of £3.000. Jav ~ Mr. Baildon: More than that: I have the engineer's figures. Cr. E. J. Phelan, a member of the Parks Committee, asked why the Harbour Board wished to retain 50 acres. He feared that body might later wish to put up unsightly buildings. “The council is in sympathy with the objects of your society." said Cr. J. B. Paterson, chairman of the committee. “The real question is one of Cr. Paterson said the council had written to the Harbour Board in June but would not agree to any scheme unless the council got the fee simple of the whole area. Something might be done if the society found the money. Personally, he thought it would have to come out of a special loan. As for revenue, the council hia not a single recreation ground upon which is was not losing money. Cr. Paterson assured the deputation of the council's wholehearted and careful consideration would be given to the delegation’s representations.