CITY RESERVES.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18487, 15 September 1925, Page 13

CITY RESERVES.

REPORT TO COUNCIL. A- com-preheneive report on the condition of City parks and reserves was presented tr> tho City Council at last night's meeting by the Abattoir and Reserves Committee. lie report contained the following: Old Papanni Library Site. The P&pamii Library Committee has again requested that the old library site on the North road be disposed ci, and the proceeds handed oyer to the committee for the purpose of purchasing further books. The Abattoir and Reserves Committee is aware that if tho aeoticiL is sold, the proceeds can only bo devoted to the purchase of further land {or library purposes in another part of the City, but tho difficulty can be overcome by making a grant to the Papanui Library 1 'Committee for the purchase of books of an amount equivalent to tho money received for the sale of the 01d,,-eite. The committee

recommends that it be given authority to proceed on the lines indicated. Sydenham Public Library. The Sydenham Public- .Library Committee's application to have the old fire brigade station, which is about to be vacated by the Fire Beard, added to their' premies providing additional *ccomm.«dation for library purposes has been considered. A petition has been presented to the Council and referred to the Reserves Committee, and has received consideration, the chairman, Cr. Leadley, together with Cr. Aschman, having been appointed to join with the FinEJice Committee with a view to re-opening negotiations with the Fire Board for the purchase ' of tho eld station for the purpose indicated. Eichmond Recreation GroundMr J. A. Flesher waited upon the committee in connexion with tho proposals for acquiring part of the old school grounds and some adjacent properties with a view to forming a recreation ground, which will be practically in the centre of the thicklypopulated Ricbm:nd district. Ho had laid the matter before theiMinister of Education when in Wellington, who was most favourably impressed with the proposal and the Minister had subsequently promised to let the City ' havo the land in Richmond for school purposes at half the valuation. Mr Flesher suggested the formation of a special rating area over which a loan of £12,000 or £13,000 should be raised for the j purpose. The committee agreed with tho idea, but -as a preliminary step asked for authority to have the properties valued, which it was con- [ sidered necessary to acquire. The report was adopted.