Councils Asked To Buy “Mona Vale”

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31225, 24 November 1966, Page 18

Councils Asked To Buy “Mona Vale”

When the metropolitan councils were yesterday afternoon asked to combine to buy for £64,000 the 13acre “Mona Vale” property at Fendalton, it was suggested that Government help might be available in view of the potentialities of the house as a Vice-Regal residence.

Representatives of the six councils met at “Mona Vale” at the invitation of the executive committee of the Metropolitan Regional Planning Authority, and heard the authority’s chairman (Mr E. J. Bradshaw) outline negotiations which have led to the property being offered as a public reserve.

The property is owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (the Mormons), which, if the 13 acres is sold, would retain that part on which a church is built. The land lies between Fendalton road and the railway line.

“At the beginning of this year, we became aware from inquiries by property developers that this land might be up for sale,’ 'said Mr Bradshaw "In our view, it would be a very great pity to destroy this magnificent, unique area for residential development. “The authority’s executive negotiated with the church, and got an option which has just been confirmed by letter from the United States. The option runs until June 1 next. I must say that we apreciate the attitude of the church right through the negotiations.”

Both the capital cost and maintenance costs came into the proposal, said Mr Bradshaw. Spread over the metropolitan area, the cost would be insignificant. When the authority’s executive inspected the property some months ago, its members, personally, had felt that every effort should be made to preserve the property in public ownership. The church had put a price of £71,500 on the main block and an optional strip running to the east to Fendalton road That strip, the executive felt was not needed. The price for the balance was £64,000. “FAIR FIGURE”

“I am not a property valuer, but I think this is a very fair figure, which reflects no profit to the church,” said Mr Bradshaw. ‘The church has taken the total cost to them of the land, deducted the value of the chapel land and the insurance proceeds from Mill House, which was burnt down, and added a maintenance figure.

“This calculation amounted to considerably more than £71,500. but the church reduced it to that figure. “All the councils could well join in buying this property as an asset for Christchurch as a whole. It is possible that the Government could come in, as the house would be eminently suitable for a residence for the Gov-ernor-General when he is in Christchurch.”

The regional authority, he explained, could not buy or borrow. It could act as agent for the councils in continuing negotiations, or the councils themselves could carry on. "Mona Vale” was separated by only one property from Hagley Park. In the not-distant future, this area could become available, and if it were bought, it would make “Mona Vale” contiguous with the park. Other properties could, in time, be obtained on the north side of the Avon. REPLACING LAND

“If that were done, ‘Mona Vale’ could be linked not only with Hagley Park but with the Millbrook reserve.” said Mr Bradshaw. “We regret the necessity for making intrusions into the park for the motorway, and there has been justifiable criticism of the proposal. “But the necessity for the motorway is generally accepted, and in acquiring "Mona Vale’ we have an opportunity of replacing the land taken for the motorway

by the addition of a beautiful, unique area. In our generation, we could do something to add to the park provided more than 100 years ago.” If it were assumed that it would cost £5OOO a year for maintenance of the property, loan charges on £64,000 for 30 years at 5) per cent would make an annual cost of £9400, said Mr Bradshaw. This represented 7d per £lOOO of capital value on proerty in the metropolitan area. If the average property value was taken at £3OOO, this meant an extra Is 9d a year in rates. There was a precedent for joint action in the acquisition of Riccarton Bush and Elizabeth House by a group of councils. Cr. O. C. Mitchell (Waimairi) suggested that upkeep would be more like £lO,OOO, and Cr. W. E. Olds (City Council) asked if maintenance of the house had been counted.

“Double it, and I’m perfectly happy,” said Mr Bradshaw. ‘The church’s own figures support the one I have given.” Waimairi’s chairman (Mr D. B. Rich) spoke for others when he said that his council had not considered the SUPPLY MAPS After further discussion, Mr Bradshaw said that the

authority would supply maps and financial data to the councils so that they could discuss the scheme as soon as possible, and report to the authority. He suggested that the councils could each appoint two members to form an action committee, which could ask the Government for help and carry on negotiations.

The party was shown over the grounds and house, and met Mr F. R. Slight, counsellor to the mission president. The big house is of 16 main rooms, with four bathrooms. There are six glasshouses, one of which incorporates a swimming pool, and three other houses on the land, including the lodge at the Fendalton road gates. In the grounds, which have been maintained by the church, are some fine trees. Most of the big ones are 70 to 80 years old and include magnificent copper beeches, a red horse chestnut and an unusual conifer. Lawns facing the Wairarapa and Waimairi streams and the Avon river are a feature. All but an acre of the land is in Riccarton borough. The drive from Fendalton road, between the railway and river, is in Waimairi county. “This property has terrific potential as a public reserve,” said the authority’s planning director (Mr C. B. Millar), when he took a party through the grounds. He said the Mormon Church, in making the offer, would like to do something for the community, and the price quoted was considerably below valuation. The church also wished to maintain a park environment round its chapel.