"STAY YOUR HAND."

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 54, 5 March 1926, Page 5

"STAY YOUR HAND."

REQUEST TO CITY COUNCIL CLOSURE OF JUDGE'S BAT. PARNELL RESIDENTS UNANIMOUS. Unanimous opposition to the proposal to close Judge's -Bay was expressed at a public meeting held last night in the Parnell Library. Mr. Harold W. Hudson, who presided, opened the meeting by stating that he believed the Government and ollicers of the Public Works Department were entirely open to conviction about the need of keeping the bay open; and he believed, also, that the City Council was still open to conviction. He did not think the council would have : come to its present decision on unworthy consideration. "We want, by level-headed argument to convince those opposed to our case that we are right," added Mr. Hudson. Mr. V. Dunn, convener of the meeting, moved the • following resolution: "That the meeting emphatically protest against the closure of Judge's Bay to small craft and appeals to the City Council to re-consider its decision on several grounds; specifically, because it is the last remaining bay on the eastern side of the city; it constitutes a valuable addition to the adjoining park, which was recently laid out at such expense; it is the headquarters of the oldest rowing club in Auckland, whose existence is threatened by its destruction; professional opinion is by no means agreed that the closure of the bay is needed; and further evidence has become available since the council's decision was made." Addressing the meeting Mr. Dunn enlarged upon the points set forth in the resolution. "We ask the council to stay its band," he said. "If the damage occurs, which the council suggests will occur, then we are quite prepared for them to revert to their plans and close the bay. We do not want to lose the bay. We would like to see it preserved, if possible, for pleasure and beauty purposes for all time. (Hear, hear.) To close the bay so that Tt can no longer be used by the boating* men ol Auckland is more than wrong. It is a crime." (Hear, hear.) In support of the view that the closure of the bay was avoidable and that the danger of silting up was a slight one if it occurred at all, Mr. Dunn submitted a report from Mr. F. E. Powell, consult ing engineer. Mr. E. B. Webster seconded the resolution; and, speaking on behalf of tlu Akarana Yacht Club, he said: "I think we can safely say we will do our best tc keep the opening there." (Applause.) Mr. H. W. Hudson, before putting the resolution to the meeting, recalled thai Parnell had an object lesson in the statt of Hobson Bay, as to what would hap pen if an open channel were not left The plans provided for a* five foot clear ance at high water; and Judge's Ba* offered splendid winter quarters foi hauling-up boats in the off season. Two' clauses, proposed by Mr. Olive: ; Brett, as an amendment to the resolutioi ' were added: "That, if the bay is lef 1 open as desired, it will provide an absolutely ' lutely safe boat harbour without an* ' additional expense; its closur. ■ will prevent access to boats moored out - side." In the amended form the resolution -lution was carried, amid applause, with > out a dissentient voice. 1 The chairman was empowered t. ! choose a deputation to wait upon th City Council next Tuesday night.