"NO MAN'S LAND.".

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 17017, 14 December 1920, Page 7

"NO MAN'S LAND.".

CONTROL OF HAGLEY PARK. "No Man'e Land" was the term applied by the Waimairi County Council last night to Hagley Park, in a discussion which arose from a letter forwarded by Mr G. *P, Newton, Assistant-Under-Secretary to the Department of Internal Affairs, who wrote stating that the park was not included in any riding of the 'county. The area beroro IL'l3 was included in the Hagley and Itieearton ridings of the county, but with tho constitution of the lticcarton Borough Council and tho redivision into ridings by special' order made on June 19th, J 11)13, the Hagley Park area was omitted, despite the fact that tho present boundaries of the county still comprised this area. A plan of tho park was enclosed, and the council was asked for| an expression of opinion on the matter. Tho chairman, Mr W. P. Spencer, stated that although-the county got no rates for the area, it.liad to pay levies to the Domains' Board and Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, besides paying a share of tho upkeep of the roads. Cr. W. J. Walter suggested that the park should be handed over to tho City Council. A mei'rfbez: They donH warit it. Cr - . S. A. Staples said that the Itipcarton Road Board had never raved i the nark, although it was let. The county did not rate it cither, beeauso no doubt it would be a non-sentimental step to do 'bo. Tho county paid its quota for the park, and paid a big subscription over and above its levy to tho Domains' Board. Kates were also paid to the Hospital aud Charitable Aid Board. "I am in favour of rating the area," ho concluded. "WV have been mugs long enough." He moved: "That the Government shouldbe requested to ask the City Council to take over the 'park." Ho pointed out that the City Council paid oO per cent, towards the cost of maintaining Park road, and the Waimairi County Council 8 per cent., the remainder beinc; paid by the Riccarton Borough j Council and the Paparua County Council. .The motion was lost by six votes to four, and it was decided to write to j the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board and the Domains Board asking those bodice to deduct the_ valuation of the park from the valuation of the county when going into the question of strik-, ing a rate. Cr. Staples said that ifi this was not done by the bodies affected he would be in favour of rating the park next year.