BUILDINGS ON RESERVES

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26802, 6 August 1952, Page 7

BUILDINGS ON RESERVES

TOTAL NEEDS SET AT £62,400 PRIORITY FOR BOTANIC GARDENS Buildings estimated to cost a total of £62,400 which could be covered by loan were submitted to the City Council by the reserves committee in a report prepared by the Director of Parks and Reserves (Mr M. J. Barnett). At the request of the finance committee the reserves committee supplied the following order of urgency:— First Priority.—Botanic Gardens buildings: replacement of Townend House, £5000; cacti and succulent house, £5000; new office and library, £500; extension of No. 7 propagating house, £400; renewal of No. 1 propagating house, £lOOO- total, £11,900. Second Priority.—Building for motor camp in Rawhiti Domain, £4OOO. Third Priority.—Building for motor camp at Jellicoe Park, £3OOO. It was agreed that detailed estimates should be prepared for these works and steps taken to raise a loan. Other items in Mr Barnett’s full list included:—tearooms and residence at Scarborough, £12,500; residence at Sign of the Kiwi and facilities for

serving refreshments, £7000; residence and tearooms at Sign of the Bellbird, £4000;. sports centre and gymnasium at English Park, £20,000. Mr Barnett commented first on the needs at the Kiwi and Bellbird rest houses.

Sign of Kiwi “The reconstruction of the Kiwi on the Summit Road has been under discussion for Several years and no finality has yet Ijeen reached,” he said. “The question has frequently risen whether or not there is need for such a building. The Kiwi site is a favourite rendezvous for motorists and trampers during week-ends and holidays, and during such times there is a need for a place where thes public can obtain light refreshments, but at other times there would be little patronage. The revenue received from the source would pot be sufficient to support any one person as a means of livelihood. The department has, however, sufficient work in view on the maintenance and development of the adjoining scenic reserves to support a fulltime employee. What is required, therefore, is a building suitable for a married couple with a small tearoom attached; the husband to be given employment with the department, and his wife to conduct the tearooms. A rent could be charged for the residence, but it is doubtful if the small tearoom would be worth anything to the council If, on the other hand, the lessee was permitted to retain any profits from the tearooms, it would be an inducement to obtain the services of a competent couple. Sign of Bellbird “If the Kennedy’s Bush project is ever put into operation, and there is definite desire by the public that it should be, there will be the need for a permanent caretaker on the site. It is doubtful if the present building can be restored to good order and made fit for habitation. It may be more economical to dismantle the present structure, use what material that is suitable for the reconstruction of the Kiwi, and construct a wooden building for a residence in its place. “The committee is already fully aware of the project for a sports centre and gymnasium at English Park. The amount required for its construction was provided in the original loan proposals, but was finally deleted, it being understood that the money required would be furnished from a separate loan. “A sum of £ 10,000 was included in the loan, proposals for the development of parks, but was later deleted, as motor camps were not considered applicable by the authorities. Our motor camps are very poorly equipped, there being no ablution benches, showers, laundries, or adequate sanitary arrangements.

Botanic Gardens Buildings “The Townend House is-beyond repair and has been condemned by the building inspectors. “There is at the Botanic Gardens a large and comprehensive collection of cacti and succulents given by Mr H. M. Garrick. The collection is being and will continue to be added to, but at present it is confined to one of the propagating houses, where the plants are congested to such an that it is most difficult to give them the attention they deserve. The public have no opportunity of viewing the collection, and a suitable glasshouse where the plants can be displayed to the public is urgently needed. It is recommended that plans for the replacement of the Townend House and a new cacti house be prepared to fit in with the Cuningham House. Such additions will necessitate the replanning of the present stokehold and the heating system throughout all three houses. The present heating system is overdue for a complete overhaul.”