ROAD THROUGH HAGLEY PARK

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28013, 6 July 1956, Page 16

ROAD THROUGH HAGLEY PARK

“STRONG OPPOSITION” TO SUGGESTION

PILGRIMS’ ASSOCIATION’S VIEWS

“Strong opposition to any area, however small, of Hagley Park being in any way diverted from the purpose for which the park is held” has been recorded in a resolution of the executive of the Canterbury Pilgrims’ and Early Settlers’ Association. This is in reply to suggestions that the new Blenheim road highway should be extended through the south-west corner ol Hagley Fark.

The full resolution, which was carried unanimously, is:

“This committee of the Canterbury Pilgrims’ and Early Settlers' Association, having inspected the site where the new Blenheim road meets Deans avenue, and having read in the daily papers of a discussion to continue this new road across the south-west corner of South Hagley Park, protests strongly against any such encroachment on Hadley Park.

“This park has by law been reserved for ever as a public park, for the recreation and enjoyment of the public, and this original purpose would be defeated in either or both of the following ways by a road as proposed: first, by putting to another use a substantial area of land reserved for all time as a public park, thereby diminishing the number of playing fields available: second, by traffic moving across the park, preventing the full use of the adjoining areas for recreation and enjoyment. “This association is most strongly

opposed to any area, however small, of Hagley Park being in any way diverted from the purpose for which the park is held.” The purpose behind the establishment of the park had first been expressed in the Canterbury Association's Reserves Ordinance of 1855 and reinforced by the Public Reserves Act of 18~2. said the president (Mr J. L. Hewland). but this purpose had not always been carried out. This made it all the more necessary for the people of Christchurch and Canterbury to hold what they had.

Citizens had resisted encroachment on the park for almost a century. Mr Hewland said. A petition was presented to the Provincial Government in the sixties objecting 1o a proposal to make a public road from the Armagh street entrance to Riccarton road. The Provincial Government found it impossible to make the objects for which the park was reserved include a public highway. In 18S8. a pronosal to establish a cattle market in the park was also defeated. More recently, public opinion deterred the City Council from building an implement shed in the park.