RICCARTON PARK.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20010, 19 August 1930, Page 16

RICCARTON PARK.

TROTTING GROUNDS SITE SUGGESTED. PUBLIC MEETING TO BE CALLED. Proposals for the acquisition of a . block of land for the purposes of a recreation ground for the Biecarton Borough were advanced a further stage at a meeting laßt night of the Biecarton Citizens' Association, when it was decided to call a public meeting to consider the question of purchasing an area of ground from the Metropolitan Trotting Club. The chairman (Mr R. W. Brighting) reported that the Park Committee had met since the last meeting of the Association, and a report had been drawn up by Messrs A. D. Ford and H. Odell, which would be submitted to the meeting. Mr Odell covered the ground leading up. to the drawing up of the report. He stated that the correspond-; ence which had passed between the committee, the Riccarton Borough Council, and the Metropolitan Trotting Club was summarised in it. The report read as follows: "The exact area of the present reserve set aside when the land was subdivided is 4 acres 1 rood. The area of land to be purchased is 5 acres 1 rood 28.5 perches, which is now under firm offer at ' £SOO • per acre, and will cost £2714 Is 3d. This area, along with the one already secured, would total 9 acres 2 roods 28.5 perches, to which would be added the unformed roads traversing the larger block, making in all a complete block of 10 acres 3 roods 36.5 perches. "We are pleased to report one promised donation of £250 towards the cost of the scheme, thus leaving at present say only £2450 to find. This sum, £2450, we can arrange for, and if the ratepayers approve of the proposal we have tentative arrangements in hand whereby a £2500 loan can be placed at 5J per cent, for any period up to 20 years. "The cost of fencing would be small,. as a post and wire fence would be all that is necessary, and the land is now. in fairly good condition. The land could be cropped by the Council, in the same way as the City Council and Domain Board have done in the past. This should produce revenue sufficient to lay out the grounds into proper playing areas, as well as provide playing paraphernalia for a children's area. "This opportunity to obtain the present area for a park and recreation ground represents the last chance that wo can see of an adequate area in a suitable position for such purposes in Riccarton. We therefore strongly recommend the Association to at oneo approach the Riccarton Borough Council to have the question placed before the ratepayers. "The rateable value of the borough unimproved value, less Crown exemptions, is £396'808, and a rate of §d in the £ on the unimproved value trould yield £206 per annum. So the cost to the ratepayers would be exceedingly small even if no further donations or grants were forthcoming, but it is expected that some further donations .can be obtained in any case. The average property in Riccarton is valued at £3OO unimproved value, so the cost per ratepayer on this basis would be only 3s 2d per annum, or Is per £IOO of the un- - improved valuation. As each ratepayor usually represents a household of himself, wife, an'd children, the benefits of a recreation ground for a few pence per annum cannot be overestimated. "The population of Riccarton borough is increasing faster than any other suburban area, and is still increasing. It is therefore in our opinion (and we think this is also shared by hundreds of others) very essential that early provision be made for recreation grounds and thus avoid the errors of the past, which legislation is now trying to remedy by taking inadequate, small, and often useless recreation areas from land holders when they subdivide land for building sections." . Following the report, said Mr Odeli, the recommendation of the committee was "Tha't this meeting of the Citizens' Association is of the opinion that it is very essential that early provision be made for recreation grounds within the borough, and that the offer of ground made by the Trotting Club to the Council should be accepted." He moved in that direction, his motion being seconded by Mr A. E. Steere. Mr T. M. Ford: I still think the price is too high. The motion, when put to the meeting, was carried by 10 votes to 4,

Mr Odell then moved, and Mr A. F. Fisher seconded, the following motion,: — "That the foregoing resolution be submitted for confirmation to a public meeting to be organised by the Association, and if carried, that a request be sent by the public meeting to the Council asking that a poll of ratepayers be taken on the question." Mr Fisher suggested that those who voted against the previous motion should give their reasons for voting against it. Mr Ford said that he considered that £SOO an acre was too much. "We are getting a block of 10 acres for £2500," said "Mr C. G. Cullen, "and are really doing very well, for we are not paying for a couple of acres which form a roadway. The cost is therefore nothing like £S(JO an acre." Mr J. J. Staples stated that the opening of the ground would mean that the Wharenui School would benefit from the park. "The present site has very much to recommend it. I think the price is a very reasonable one, and I should like to see the Citizens' Association decide unanimously to put the proposal before a public meeting." "We are not buying so much for the present as for the future," said. Mr Odell. "If this. area is let go now, it will probably soon be covered and we • shall have to go further out still. The price' of £50.0 an acre does not seem exorbitant. It is not going to place a great: burden on our ratepayers. I don't think the ratepayers will turn the scheme • down. I hope that every member of the ; Association will enter keenly into propaganda work so that the area may be secured. It se«ms to be one of the most essential schemes for the future of the district." . . The motion was carried, being one dissentient, and it was decided'to forward a copy of the resolutions to the Borough Council. The calling of the public meeting was left in the hands of the executive.