DAY'S BAY NATIONAL SCENIC RESERVE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIV, Issue 125, 22 November 1907, Page 3

DAY'S BAY NATIONAL SCENIC RESERVE.

CITY COUNCIL'S DECISION. The question of acquiring Day's Bas' , Bush came before the City Council last night. Councillor Fisher moved: — ■"That tho cciuncil notes with pleasure Iho negotiations ponding between tho Wellington Steam Fei-ry Company and the Now Zealand Go-vernm-ent re the purchase, as a National Scenic Rcsorvo of tha natural bush at Day's 'Bay, and urges I. pon the Government the desirability of acquiring the same." Ho stated that within the last three days he had been able to obtain a 1 thousand signatures urging that, the busli be taken over. It was stated that 1 ;t sawmill would be placed there, but j oven if .that wero net done it was highly desirable to secure such a fine and accessible portion of bush. Land vas being bought in inaccessible parts, the bu'h of which could bo seen only through a passing railway train, and surely the niun^y would be well spent in conserving the Day's Bay bush for all time. lt_ would ho the grossest vandalism to destroy, it. Without considering tho financial aspect, he urged the council lo do all possible to help in securing ths> bush for the citizens for all time. Councillor Smith seconded the motion, and contended thft there would bo no harm in the council contributing towards the cost of acquirement. The Mayor said the question was beforo the council eighteen months ago, but the price arked by the owners was prohibitive. They must be careful not to engender an idea that the property was of enormous valno. There would probably be no objection on the part of the Government or council to taking over tho property on tha latcs and taxes value. Ho agreed with the proposal to acquire, but, they must bo careful not to give fictitious pric-es whilst so much money was required for other municipal matters. '1 ' j motion was carried. Th* voting was: For— The Mayor, Councillors Ballinger, Fisher, Fletcher, Godber, Hindinarsh, Luke, Morrah, and Smith. Against — Councillors Carmichael, Cohen, Hales, and Murdoch.