NORTHCOTE REQUIREMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 51, 1 March 1915, Page 8

NORTHCOTE REQUIREMENTS.

GRANTS FOB. RESERVES AND -, POST OFFICE, EEQTJB§TS~EXDGRSED BY MB. '■"■ HARRIS. MJ. At the invitation of the Xorthcote ißorougb Council, Mr. Alex. Harris, M.P. n , for Waitemata, visited Xorthcote on tj Saturday afternoon, and made a tour ti of inspection, of the borough in company T with the Mayor, Mr. Geo. Fraser, Conn- p ] Cillers J. B. Tonar, H. H. Hunt, H. Crow- bi ley, and A E. Greenslade. pi : DOMAIX. ' tc ■ The Domain Board pointed out that -jy owing to lack of funds little could be . achieved for the present in the way of improvements to the domain at Xorthcote Point, and asked for a Government j grant of at least £100. This area was ** largely availed of by visitors, and it , was, therefore, of more than local im- , portance that the much-needed improve- .. ments should be-carried' out. The re- eJ serve, should be laid out from time ~ co time as funds permitted, in accordance, with a report of a landscape gar-dener-j but the domain could be better ~ popularised and made of greater utility * by the immediate .provision of seating and other accommodation, incidental to public domains. . . c 1 llx. Harris, said, Tiis. visit to the di Domain had..certainly convinced him w that the enthusiastic .expressions of the B membejs_ot-H3he -Board" were rally war- g 1 iranted • regarding-the glorious - prospect 7j •unfolded-by this splendid vantage-spot, k and the •area, -at. file 'point, as well as that portion?to the west of the' wiaif approach, should" be preserved inviolate w for all time forthe benefit of. the people. ( The sea frontages gave the area a- considerable value and-advantage as a pub- B1 lie reserve, and it would be more highly n prized as-an open-space as tbe years n , passed, by. He considered it better to *- try for a Government subsidy of £.100, on a £2 for £1 basis, and would do bis ™ best in tiis direction. XEW POST OFFICE. The former poet office site (at the 1( ieomer of Robb Road and Queen Street) and the latest site acquired in lieu I thereof (ad-joining the present post a office) were pointed out to Mr. Harris; "who.told the members of the Borough I Council that he .would ask that £1000 3 should be voted for the erection of an s ap-to-date post office and accessories. * The Mayor said this site had been purchased unknown to .the Council, v though other 6ites had been offered to the postal authorities. Apart altogether * from any personal convenience,. and in a the interests of the borough solely he = considered of the available sites offered & none was more suitable than the corner " section, of Queen and Church Streets, s near his own residence. There were also J other sites in the vicinity. . Councillors Crowley, Hunt and Tonar 2 also considered the' sit? should be nearer 2 the Borough Council. Chambers, but ' Greenslade doubted .the wfs- — dom of introducing tthe; site question, in -"view of the Postal-Department's^ recent - -as this might militate against \ \l the chances of „ a new: - building - being , -;„eecured'„.'.;:. ._.;_.: .' -, _, .'-.•., ".. S§| Councillor Tonar pointed out that a . —charge was made for Jhe delivery of telgrams over a mile" radius, and it was, therefore, essential for the" post office to be placed further back to avoid these - charges to.people living outside-the- one"iirile radius. After further discussion Mr. Harris pointed out it might be possible to sell the present site and devote the proceeds to a Better one if such were offered, but it would be wise not to sllow any.lengthy controversy to arise about the- site, as this Jwould jeopardise the vote of £1000 being obtained The Mayor said the Council could again discuss the" matter, and invite offers of suitable sections to be senfe to the Postal Department. POLKE..STATIOX. . . . The new police station in Church Street, was next, visited,.and Mr. Harris expressed his appreciation at the compieteness pf the structure: -■ LITTLE SHOAL BAY RESERVES. In order to illustrate what could be achieved with the tidal area of twentyfour acres in Little Shoal Bay, which was vested in the Birkenhead and Xorthcote boroughs by the Harbour Board as a recreation Teserve, a visit was paid to the Waitemata Bowling and Croquet Club's new greens, which adjoin the proposed public recreation ground. Mr. Harris was greatly impressed with the iwonderrully" changed appearance'of that erstwhile portion of tidal frontage, now the scene of much se£.l\«,y —men engaging in the ancient game of bowls on a green almost as good and true as any around Auckland, even though only in it 3 finst year of play, while their lady friends beguiled the time on adjoining lawns keenly, engaged in their croquet games. . The whole made a. very pretty eye-picture, and provided a vivid demonstration of what transformation, was possible of-the. area owned -by-the two boroughs. After accepting of tbe hospitality oi the club, and being welcomed by the .president _ (Mr. •D- A Gray) and secretary (Mr. W. H. Glover) end Mrs. Gray on behalf of the croquet club. Mr. Harris was shown over the. reserve, adjoining, .and the unportance of providing recreation grounds for the other - outdoor .exercises than -those catered for alongside were- urged, upon him. The higher area acquired by the joint councils of. about four acres, on which ferns and native trees'and shrubs abound in profusion, was also inspected, and appreciation fnlly bestowed. Mr. Harris said as this was a joint Birkenhead and Xorthcote proposition, he would have preferred to have had the Birkenhead representatives invited, so that both partners' would know exactly what transpired. He suggested that perhaps a meeting of the Recreation Board might be convened to go into the schemes for converting the area into a playing space, in which case he would willing!v attend and further matters if he could be of any assistance. In the | meantime, the would be prepared to urge the Government to grant a £ for £ subsidy on £150. Mr. Harris was thanked for his attention to the matters referred to him.