TAKAPUNA-COAST ROAD.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 56, 7 March 1921, Page 6

TAKAPUNA-COAST ROAD.

PROPOSAL TO TAKE LAM). \^ Mr. -I. \V. Poynton, S.M.. as « commission tiiis morning at trate's Court on a dispute in connection with land proposed to be taken under the,. Public Workri Act by the Waitemai* County Council, for the purpose of co»----plet- the Takapuna-Coast Road. Mr. Kagnall appeared for the county uouncil, Mr. .1. Alexander for the objector, Mr. A. M. Howden, owner of the land proposed to be taken. Mr. Alexander, in opening, said Me. Howden objected to hi* land being takea I because it was hi<s garden and pleasure ground. He, Mr. Alexander, thought there would yet be tramways along fcis road to connect the beautiful beachet on the waterfront right down to Brown"» Bay. As the proposed road wdnld strike the bridge near the objector's property at risht angles, it would be a positive deatbT tra-p for motor traffic. It «*■ quite possible to get a much better road, wav than by goin<r through that portion of Mr. Howden's property. Alexander M. Howden, grain menAant. said he owned and resided on the property in question. He had lived there for fiewn v esirs s . tie sot greiit- store on 'fcbe fact that it had water frontage. Th» land proposed to be taken was used as a garden and pleasure grjund. He suggested that a better road would be got by turning to the left instead of the right after crossing the bridge, and then connecting with Seaview Eoad. In answer to Hγ. Bajrna'.l, ■witness eaid he was not aware when he bought the land that the vendor kaA promised to give a road through the section. Mr. Howden said the grade in Seavie» Road was about one in twenty at the top. That would mean cutting througfc Mrs. Boyd's property. Mr. Bagnail: Subdividing her land » second time. Witness said the extra distance would be about a quarter of a mile. He thought that would be a more suitable route for a tram a*> it tapped some of the most "beautiful sights about Auckland, and there were many fine residences already erected. He had written to the council protesting against the spoliation of his garden for the benefit of land speculators on beach properties. Harry Hocking, Castor, Bay Road, Takapuna, said he knew the ground the council proposed to be taken. He knew it had been used by Mr. Howden as a garden and pleasure ground. It would be X hardship if Air. Howden was deprived of the land which ran down to water in a tidal creek, which was well sheltered. Witness supported the proposal of Mr. How<len that the road should turn to the left at the bridge and go on the flat part of Seaview Road. Each route would be equally good for the bayg along the coast. The route he suggested might foe five or six hundred yards longer. By Mr. Bagnmll: He thought there would be a lot of traffic along the road when it wee completed. Mr. Bagnail: And to save Mr. Howden's garden, you are prepared to make it longer for all time. Joseph J. Simmonds, qualified su- rveyor and engineer, said he had been an examiner for the Board of Surveyors. He was Mr. Howden's brother-in-lavr and had often visited him. Witness confirmed the statement that the land in question was a bona fide pleasure ground and garden. The garden existed righJ j down to the water. The road proposed iby the council would mean an acute ! angle to the bridge, which was not dei sirable if it could be avoided. By gradI ing up through Mrs. Boyd"? a perfectlyI good grade could be got. about one in j fifteen. Mrs. Boyd's was at present op , a I land. It would be. however, a little longer rorma". It "would give access f> the whole of the sections on the cre?t jof the bill. A sharp curve at a brid.r» ( was preferable to an acute angle, j Enos Bond said he nad had a lot of I experience in laying out roads. He j knew the property in question. The I part proposed to be taken had been occttj Died as j garden and pleasure ground. IHe advocated taking the road tnrougti ! Mrs. Boyd's property, as it would givj ! better access to the bridge. It wonll jbe a g-ood workable road, and much \ c afer if a tram was running there ia ! the future. ! Evidence wa« giren for The Waif- | mata County Council by Mr. \ v H. Hart, member for Takapuna r'/iing. that the road proposed through Mr. Hr>wden's property was the most suitable for the ourpose intended. j herald Jackson, engineer to Waitej mata County Council, gave similar ev> j denoe. supporting the Councils scheme. In answer to Mr. Alexander, witness Faid the road thronsrh Mr. Flo-wden'-; property was the most convenient. Hβ j admitted that another route could be I gort. but not necessarily throiigTi Mrs. ! Bovd's -property. j Mr. Alexander. And I believe the I road through Mr. Howden's property I would su't the Castor Bay better? ,| Mr. Jackson: It will suit mnst ■(people better who have to use taat •j road. Kran-k Edward Powell. C.F... sai.l t v « ' ro\ te proposed by the ("oun.-il throuih Mr. Howden'j property wa< the be-t for a main road. There would i* , no I difficulty in making a perfectly p.m-i 'j curve at the bridge. ■j By Mr. Alexander: He condemue.i t'->« I alternative route because it 'land would mean rising and falling ■Jaga'n. Obviously the roa-i through i Hoivdeti's was the best one hr ail purposes. ' This concluded the evidence. H.- AVor- | ship said he wished to thank the gentleMmen for the wav in which the \ facts had been lad before h:m. It was .j a rei-ord in commissions. ' ;