SEA WALL OR PARK

IMPROVEMENT OF ORIENTAL BAY CITY ENGINEER IN FAVOUR OF ESPLANADE DIVERGENT VIEWS OF COUNCILLORS.

As to how Oriental Bay may be improved to the best advantage is a subject to which the City Council has long given earnest consideration, and at its meeting last night a report was submitted by the City Engineer (Mr. W. H. Morton). After consideration of ' the improvement of Oriental Bay from 1905 up to the present time, and after hearing all the arguments, he was strongly of opinion that the best means of improving this area of the city would be by the construction of a substantial concrete protective facing or sea-wall, and filling in to such an extent as might be necessary to enable a marine esplanade not less than 20ft in width to be formed' around the bay. The piece of land •which projected beyond the remainder of the foreshore nearly opposite Haystreet should be enclosed by a sea-wall and a band-stand erected. t Seats should be placed at frequent intervals along the esplanade, and a light hand>railing erected along the edge of the sea-wall. Concrete steps should be provided at intervals to give access for the public to the most suitable portions of the harbour front. The esplanade itself should be asphalted for its extreme, width. BEACH NOT IMPKOVING. . It was true, Mr. Morton continued, that the beach was not improving under present conditions, principally due to the discharge of waste material from vessels in port, which under prevailing winds was deposited on the beach. He did not look upon the beach as an ideal playing space for young children, but it undoubtedly provided a certain amount of satisfaction. The particular charm of the Oriental Bay sea frontage was nndonhtp j^ due to its sunny aspect and the watei uontage. It made an ideal walk or promenade for residents of the city, and was within easy reach of all residents of the city proper. MARINE PARADE LEAST EXPENSIVE. " In my opinion," added Mr. Morton, "the construction of a marine parade in the manner suggested is the cheapest, most effective, and lea^fc costly in maintenance that can be suggested, and the work would undoubtedly bo keenly appredated by vast numbers of the gen- j eral public, as well as residents of the locality. "In making this recommendation I have also considered the difficulty which j at present exists concerning the disposal of waste material from excavations in thß centraj part of the city. Consequent upon the closing of the Harbour Board reclamation tips a great difficulty is now experienced in getting rid of such material, and thie i«quires to be taken seriously into consideration. GREATLY APPRECIATED BY EESI- ' ' DENTS. " Alter thinking the matter oveT carefolly, 1 am of opinion that the continuation of the Marine-esplanadfc> round Point Jerningham towards Ballena Bay would make a (satisfactory place for the disposal ol such material, would be widening the road, which is now very narrow and -somewhat dangerous under present traffic conditions, and would be a continuation of a drive which would be greatly appreciated by all residents of tnt city This would aleo materially assist in beautifying one of tie most prominent portions of the city. "In dealing with the extension around Point Jerningham it would be necessary to construct sea-walling in advance of the reclamation. Tho work can b? done gradually, and would bo extended over a considerable term of years. " I might add that it is advisable that the widening of the Queen*, drive beyond Point Jerntngham be done only in the manner suggested, it being very undesirable that the hill-side should be cut into for the purpose of gaining additional width of roadway." TO RESCIND PREVIOUS MOTION. The report was received, and at . later stage, in accordance with notics given, Councillor W. H. P. Barber moved that the following resolution paiSsed at the meeting of the Council on 30th July, 1914, be Tescmded :— " That the Wellington City Council enter into negotiations with the Wellington Har- I bour Board for its consent to reclaim part of Oriental Bay, and that when such consent is obtained, if the terms thereof and the estimated cost are satisfactory to the council, the neoessaTy legislation be introduced, and when passed the council's resolution of the 15th day of December, 1910, be then rescinded, and the esplanade be proceeded with and completed as soon as possible, and vested, in the city for the purpose of a park and playing' ground." In speaking to the motion, Councillor Barber said that the engineer in his report had dealt with the matter on practically the same lines as he had suggested. No doubt an esplanade wonld be a great improvement to the bay. | Some of the councillors did not realise | the great asset they had in the bay, and the esplanade recommended was similar to those at Dover and such places. Councillor O. Frost, in seconding the motion, thought the City Engineer should be congratulated on the scheme he hid suggested. k FULL REPORTS WANTED. Councillor T. 0. A. Hislop said the whole of the report dealt with the proposal to erect, an esplanade, and there was no reference to the proposed reclamation. The council wanted to know whether the bay co.ild be reclaimed, and the cost of that reclamation, and whether such a sehome was desirable at a little extra cost rather than the erection of an esplanade. He was not opposed to the esplanade, but a full report was necessary to see winch was the best course to adopt. For this reason he would vote against the motion. Councillor M. Luclde also opposed the motion for the same reasons advanced by the previous speaker. Councillor H. Buddie denied that he had advocated reclaiming the bay in a straight line. He had distinctly stated

that the bay could be reclaimed in the curve and not straight across. He had never pledged himself to reclamation, but had contended that before doing anything in the matter the fullest enquiries should be made as to the possible cost before they set off the cost of one scheme against the other. "WHY ALL THIS DEBATE?" Councillor J. E. Fitzgerald asked whether there was any possible chance of getting a loan carried to-day. The Mayor (Mr. J. P Luke): No. Councillor Fitzgerald : " Then why all this debate? '' He ventured to say that no scheme would be carried out during the council's term of office. Councillor Buddies original motion had merely asked for full information to be supplied. Councillor J. Godber supported the motion, maintaining that the scheme would give satisfaction and solve the difficulty of Oriental Bay. Councillor R. A. Wright also favoured the motion, eulogising tho engineer's report. COUNCILLOR FULLER'S VIEWS. Councillor J. Fullei, jun., who spoko in lighter vein, objected to any suggestion that the Bay was not a good bathing place. The beach had never had a fair chance. The rubbish was allowed to accumulate, and " beautiful carrots and turnips " which were washed up stuck in the rubbish. " And were the beautiful carrots and turnips washed away when the tide went out? Certainly not. The beautiful carrots and turnips ' remained there, and it grieved him to see people sitting among the carrots and turnips'. It was totally unnecessary. He hoped Councillor Barber's motion would be carried. Councilor L. M'Kenzie supported Councillor Buddies views. A DIFFERENCE IN COST. The Mayor said he was distinctly against reclamation in that part of the city, and ho would support the motion. When the war broke out it was impossible for the council to go in for any borrowing such as would be involved by the scheme advocated by Councillor Buddie. The wall alone would cost £20,000, and to this would be added tho Harbour Board's ■ cost of reclaiming eleven acres, in addition to the two or three acres for filling in the two or three acres necessary for widening the road. Reclamation would mean the takns away of the only playground the people of Te Aro had. * It was only a I matter of keeping the beach clean. The [ engineer's scheme was estimated to cost I £10,000, which included the expense of I the wall and the promenade. He thought the scheme should be started. Councillor Fitzgerald : Can you get the money? The Mayor replied v that the same method could be adopted as had been adopted with the culvert at Island j Bay. The elasticity of the council's finances would permit of £2000 or £3000 being spent annually in gradually erecting the wall and making . the footpath. COUNCILLORS LEAVE. Councillor Buddie said he wished to make it perfectly plain that he did not propose to nil in Oriental Bay. Councillor R. FletcMer pointed out that in six months' time a new council would be elected, and he considered that it was undesirable for the council to determine any big scheme at present. He moved as an, amendment that the question be postponed for six months. The Mayor said he could not accept the amendment, and ruled it out of order. Councillor Fletcher then withdrew from the Council Chamber, leaving no quorum present. The councillors who remained were Councillors Wright, Frost, Fuller, Barber, Thompson, and Goober. The Mayor requested the Town, Clerk to seek the councillors who had withdrawn and request them to return. This they declined to do, and the meeting lapsed. \