CONTROL OF HILL RESERVES

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 24100, 9 November 1943, Page 6

CONTROL OF HILL RESERVES

» — . NO FURTHER ACTION BY CITY COUNCIL GOVERNMENT’S TERMS NOT ACCEPTABLE On the recommendation of the reserves) committee the Christchurch City Council decided last evening to take no further action in the proposal that the city should take over from the Government the Sign of the Kiwi, the Sign of the Bellbird .and certain reaves along the Summit road. The committee had considered a letter from the Under-Secretary of the Department of Lands and Survey, advising that it was not possible to increase beyond £3OO the amount offered to the council by way of grant. At a recent meeting of the council, complaints were made that the department had delayed some 18 months in replying to the council’s offer to take over the rest-houses and reserves, and the council decided to inquire whether any decision had been given by the Minister in Charge of Scenery Preservation. The department’s reply was as follows: “Referring to previous correspondence relating to the above reserves, and more particularly to your letter of September 29. to the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Christchurch. I have to state that the position in regard to these areas was recently further reviewed by the Minister in charge Of Scenery Preservation, but for the reasons given in the letter sent to you by the Minister on March 1 last, it is not possible to increase the amount offered by way of grant beyond th-* sum'of £3OO mentioned therein. “In your recent letter, reference is made to the heavy expenditure that would be incurred in renovating the Sign of the Kiwi, but I desire to stress the fact that the maintenance of this building must be regarded as being primarily the responsibility of the people of Christchurch and the surrounding district. In the circumstances, it is hoped that the council will reconsider its decision and agree to accept control of the reserves on the terms previously offered.” The reserves committee, in its report. said the recommendation to take no further action was made particularly because the deterioration had been more pronounced since the council first offered to take over the reserves.