PUKETOKI RESERVE

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LX, Issue 11087, 10 April 1933, Page 3

PUKETOKI RESERVE

County Council to Accept Control

1 SPLENDID DISTRICT asset

Matters (he Puketoki R«serre at Whakamarama were again tiefore ihc County Council at Friday’s meeting, when details ;e sociated with •he control of this splendid district asset were further advanced. rpho Commissioner of Crown Lands. Auckland, wrote advising tha.l )s intended to vest the control of t '|j e reserve in the Council, tinder the provisions of S'<uion i;:. of the Scenerv Preservation Am. litos. On receipt of the Conn-iIV e,,iis<-nt he will

arrange for 0..- issue ol the necessary proclamation. Tim control will i, e hr the hands of the Council as a whole, and it will he left to it to make Ps <>wn anvuigemprits for the management ami supervision (if the reserve.

The Commissioner in another letter stated that Mrs Smart, has no further use fur l lm untimbered portion of the reserve, and her tenancy will be terminated and the area merged with the main portion. The Hon. E'. Macmillan, M.P., wrote stating he supported the request that Hie Council should take over the Puketoki Reserve. He added: ‘‘The statement that I have offered to provide a cate at the entrance is correct and is hereby confirmed.” The County Clerk read another letter from the Commissioner agreeing to the payment of £lO towards putting fences' in order.

Cr Gane said the reserve comprised a magnificent area of bush, served by a metalled road, and moved — That the Council agree to take over control of the reserve. Cr Darragh seconded. In reply to a question it was stated that the area of the reserve was eight-five acres. Cr Gane said the settlers were very proud of the reserve and wore prepared to recommend a committee to aid in the control of the area.

The motion was carried unanimously.

The Puketoki reserve stands on an extensive pleatcau commanding a. magnificent view of the Tauranga Harbour and Hay of Plenty and is connected with the town by a good metalled road. It is watered by running streams, and is likely to become one of the most favoured camping areas in the Bay of Plenty. Through the instrumentality of the late Mr 11. H. Sharplin the area was conveyed as a gift, to the Crown by the Whakamarama Land and Timber Company, and it would be a graceful tribute to link Mr Sharplin’s name In some suitable way with the reserve for all time.