THORNDON ESPLANADE COMPENSATION

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 12, 13 July 1935, Page 8

THORNDON ESPLANADE COMPENSATION

(To the Editor.) Sir, —Surely one point .is lost sight of in this controversy. The moneys are compensation for (a) the loss of the Thorndon salt-water baths, (b) the loss of the Thorndon Esplanade. Morally the money should be spent as far as possible in the replacement of similar facilities. This could be done by spending say half of the money in providing a bathing pavilion at Oriental Bay—one which would be an architectural feature of the city; and by spending the balance in the improvement of the Marine Parade. The sea wall should be completed at Point Jerningham, and a sealed pedestrian esplanade formed to Kilbirnie. The beautifying society could co-operate in this matter, and the city would have a fine scenic feature, in place of the present untidy route. It is foolish to spend all the money on bathing sheds and pools just because there has been an exceptional summer. It is time the pedestrian form of exercise had a little encouragement also.—l am, etc., V/.T.C. (To the Editor.) Sir, —It must seem very strange to the ratepayers and residents of the Thorndon district that in the numerous and varied proposals for the distribution of the substantial sum of £14,-000 no provision is made for one penny of expenditure in this very large and important district itself. Why are its needs being neglected in so wanton and unfair a fashion? I can remember many happy and interesting hours spent on the old Esplanade, with its seats presented by famous citizens of the past, and 1 would suggest for the consideration of his Worship the Mayor and his councillors that at least a few hundred pounds of this £14,000 might appropriately be spent in providing seats at suitable points on the tracks recently made all over the city face of the Tlnakori Hills. These paths are being very much used as they provide magnificent views of the entire city area, harbour, Hutt Valley, Cook Strait, Karori, Wilton, Ngaio, and Khandallah areas, the Tararua and Orongorongo ranges, as well as peeps of the snow-clad Eaikoura Heights. The provision of seats at suitable points (thirty to fifty are really needed) would add greatly to the pleasure and comfort of this unique promenade. I speak on behalf of the generation who, having used the Thorndon Esplanade in past years, feel the need of reasonable resting accommodation when "they lift up their eyes (and feet) to tho everlasting hills."—l am, etc., GRANT ROAD.