ROAD IN PARK

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30062, 21 February 1963, Page 8

ROAD IN PARK

Objections

Made

Objections by fear bodies to the Regional Planning Authority’* master traffic plan, all protesting against the proposed Avonaide-Fen-dalton highway aero** Hagley Park, were received by the City Connell last night

The objections, lodged in writing, were from the Canterbury Women’* Cricket Association, toe New Zealand

Educational Institute, the Hagley Golf dub. Incorporated and the City Council’s reserves committee.

The Women's Cricket Association protested “against any encroachment on. Hagley Park under the master traffic plan.”

The Educational Institute said that with the increased number of school children, and the even greater increase expected in the future, every available playing area would be taxed to the foil and even more spare required. The proposed highway, removing part of an existing pleying area, would be a retrograde step. "Further to this, the mere suggestion that .the road cut through the park and proceed along Salisbury street, is already interfering with the building programme planned at the Christahiuiroh

Teachers’ College. “We sincerely trust toot some alternative will be found which will not rob the city of one of it* .greatest assets,” the abjection said.

The Hagley Golf Club's objection, lodged through the Canterbury Provincial Golf Association, Mid toiat toe plan, a* published in local newspapers, would reduce the course from 12 boles to a doubtful six holes. This would be quit> inadequate and would inevitably mean toe closing of the club

The club had about 400 members and about 5000 visitor* played on to* course each year. Tuition by the club professional was widely demanded because of the dub’s central position. K toe Hagley dub wa# closed, indications were that the other dubs would have difficulty in accommodating toe 400 members.

“As responsibls citizens, membet* of to* dob would not wish to stand in toe way of progree* but, like many other residents, they feel that every possible alternative should be explored over and over again before any encroachment is made on Hagley Park. “ft is respectfully suggested that the grounds of North Hagley Park, a* viewed from Harper avenue, represent an asset of such inestimable value to the citizen* of Christchurch, both present and future, that they should be preserved intact oven at toe cost of same ineonvenience to transport and to toe travelling public of 30 yes**’ hence,” toe golf club’* abjection concluded. "Unacceptable” Several letter* of protest against th* master traffic plan bad been received by the City Council from sport* bodies, said toe reserves committee objection. The committee was strongly of opinion that th* route of to* proposed Fendafton-Avonside motorway, as shown on the plan, was unacceptable to ths committee because: The route would cross Hagley Park in a manner which would Interfere with toe use and enjoyment of to* psrit by to* , general public. And The route would despoil toe aesthetic value at Marfo Hagley Park, which was set Mid* bar the. pIotMMS for recreational use by the citisens of Chris* church in perpetuity. Th* committee’* objection said it was further considered that siteraativs* existed, which would poaribly be more acceptable to foe general public, and that thee* dbouM b* Italy explored. It atoo added, on the Iwftwmatian fo*n availsrirtSiTrtns! femm wtfo Letinosr square.