PAPANUI PARKS.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17707, 8 March 1923, Page 9

PAPANUI PARKS.

EXTENSION URGED

A public meeting of ratepayers of Papanui was hold in the Waimairi County Council Chambers last night to discuss the question of purchasing additional land for tho Papanui Domain. Mr S. W. Hawko (chairman of the Waiioairi County Council) presided over a good attendance, over 50 people being present. Tho ehainnaa, after srpwssing satisfaction at the. air.3 of tho rocoting, stated that there were throo schuruos which had been ■snggsssted. for securing additional reserve areas for Papanui. The first suggestion was that of the purchase of seven acres or moro of the land adjoining tlte cool stores, and next to the' Church of iingkad. This would prove a central site for tho growing borough, and it had the advantage of having two or three entrances. The second suggestion was that the people of Papanui should combine and* use their influence in the acouisition of sixteen aires of tho property owned by Mr A. Nieholls. This land was situated directly in tho roar of the rcci-e«ition ground, facing the Sawyer's Aims road. The sywaker thought "that it would bo a pity if this land were out up and built upon, and the citiceus of I'apamii had no chance to acquire a portion of it for a recreation ground. "With regard to the prosent recreation ground at Sawyer's Arms road, he thought, an extra area of two or three acres to enlarge this ground could be very easily obtained. The purchase of bo small aa area wouid not involve a great expenditure, and he thought littlo difficulty would be experienced in raising tha money for this last suggestion. Mr P. Sisson, chairman of the Papanui Domain BoaTd, said tho matter had really been brought to a head by the representations of his Board to the Waimairi County Council. The Domain Board could not tackle the proposals on its own account, and tho Council had been ashed to call a meeting to see if there was any public interest in the subject. Of courso, he stated, the acquisition of a suitable area would necessitate the expenditure of a fair amount of cash. The moro ambitious the scheme, the greater would bo the expenditure. Por the acquisition of a largo reserve a loan poll would have to be taken, and tho mattor would be influenced largely by public support. A smaller scheme, such as the cnlargment of the present recreation grounds, would necessitata only a small expenditure, and the necessary funds could possibly be raised by public subscription. > Mr T. H. Clough expressed himself to bo strongly in favour of the scheme to purchase the sixteen acres of Mr Nicholls's property. This area, added to ( the six acres of the present reserve, would mako a 22-acre domain, which area was necessary in view of the I rapidly-growing district. He thought I that if Mr Nicholls were approached in the right manner ho would grant the i property on fairly reasonable terms. Ho suggested' that if portion of the frontage of the. present recreation ground were sold as building sections the proceeds would go a; long way towards the cost of the purchase of the sixteen acres. The chairman pointed out that a por- • tion of the present reserve could not be sold without the consent of the Government. However, thero ,'waa nothing to be gained by procrastination, and if Mr Clough'a suggestion were found to 'bo workable, the matter, could be given serious consideration, at an early date. Mr P. Sisson stated that the Government would not allow the sale of any portion of the reserve, and instanced the case of the New Brighton Domain Board.

Mr Clough held that if it were pointed out that a larger area was being added to the reserve than that which it was intended to sell, .thelocal members of Parliament would not have a great deal of difficulty in ijetting an Empowering Bill through Parliament permitting the sale of the land. •■• . Mr W. Chapman said the Christchurch athletic bodies were looting round for a suitable ground up which to construct a cycle track. Bethought that if Mr Nicholls's sixteen acres were purchased the ground would prove ideal for such track, and this would materially benefit Papanui as a whole. Mr T. H. Clough moved: "That the people of Papanui recommend the Waimairi County Council to take, tho necessary steps to oeeure tbe sixteen acres adjoining tho present domain, making the whole a total of 22 acres. Mr J. Tultott seconde* the motion, which was carried unanimously. Tho chairman and Mr Clough,were appointed to approach Mr Nicholls and secure from Mm a basic price for th< land.