A GREAT ASSET

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 122, 16 February 1921, Page 3

A GREAT ASSET

TO THE CITY OF WELLINGTON CITY COUNCILLORS VISIT MIRAMAR Miramar looked at its very best yesterday afternoon when the latest accession to the Wellington metropolitan, area was visited by members of the City Council and the chief officials of that body. The visit was the outcome of a desire on the part of the Outlying Districts Committee to inspect the new territory the council has jurisdiction.over,in order that councillors may have first-hand knowledge of the suburb and the properties that the City Council now owns. The party was in charge of Councillor L. M'Kenzie (chairman of the Outlying Districts Committed), who- had as Ws chief guide Councillor S. M. Stone (late Mayoi* of Miramar). The cars left the Town Hall soon after 2.30 p.m., and proceeded at once to Miramar via Constable Street. After stopping at the borough offices, and Council Chamber, past the ifew Governmentbuilt homes —-building and built the little procession of cars sped up Uru Street, to overlook the Town Hall, a commodious and well-built structure (on an acre of ground), at present let to the Wellington Education Board for use as an infant school. This property is a valuable one, in the heart of the flat, and will be useful for many purposes in the future. From the Town Hall an excursion was made across the flat to the "Wellington Gas Company’s property, where a considerable extension of the buildings is being made (in brick). The company has also a property in Uru Street, from which clay is being excavated for brick-making purposes, and where, later, it is proposed to erect workers’ homes. A bowling green, for the use of the company’s employees is said to be one of the company’s future intentions.

There was a fine air of industry just through the Miramar cutting, for besides the Gas Company’s building operations, electric riveters filled the air with their clamour. This came from the block opposite (on the corner of Broadway and Tauhina Road), where the Vacuum Oil Company is erecting two huge iron oil tanks (for the supply of oilburning steamer® in the future). A diversion was made by passing through the cutting to view the Miramar wharf and tramway, which later on may be linked up with the city service by continuing the track dow-n Broadway—a straight run to the Miramar tracks, which dissect the flat.

Returning to the flat, Mr. Stone indicated the old polo grounds, and stated that the Education Board had already secured five acres in the centre, as a wise provision for another school. When the brick school now in course of construction .at Miramar South (between the Gas Company’s property and the golf links) is completed and the new Miramar Central School was provided, the intention was to do away with the school on the brow of the hill overlooking Worser Bay. Leaving the flat at the tram terminus at Miramar North, the car proceeded up the Karaka Bay Road, past, a botanical reserve that is looking very well, and along Totara Road. From thia vantage point a fine view of tho fiat was obtained, showing at a glance how rapidly the place was being dotted with cosy homer. Immediately below lay Miramar Park—a splendid endowment for the future as a sports ground and city lung. Originl ally the owners, Miramar, Ltd., announced this as a gift to the people for all time, and when later it was proposed to cut it up, the Borough council lodged a caveat against such action. As a compromise, the-Land Company vested eleven acres of the park in the council, and also donated a catchment area of some 30 acres c-n the hills at tho head of the valley. The late Mayor (Mr. Stone) intimated that the eleven acres (on the eastern side of the original park reservoir) was partially drained, but the drains had become choked, causing tho water to lie in the wet months of the year. All agreed that tho park (or what remained of it) was a very fine heritage for posterity, and capable of great improvement. The 30 acres of hillside land would also provide a picturesque reserve when the land round about was taken up by settlement.

Leaving Miramar flat simmering in a soft summer base, the hill was climbed, and as the cars surmounted the top of the hill ’by the. Worser Bay School, a glorious panorama of sea and sky, and intertwining hills, etruck everyone as amazingly beautiful and impressive. Below lay the red roofs and shimmering beaches of Worser Bay and Seaboun, and far off beyond Fort Dorset, the Pencarrow lighthouse—a pillar of white —indicated the gates of the harbour. The party descended the twirling road to Worser Bay —the oldest road in the district, and ” the one which some forty yeajg ago led over the. old pilo*t station and then travelled along ‘.he sea-front past picturesque Karaka- Bay to Overton Park—a hillside reserve of some 3| acres, thickly grown with big kanakas and ngaios.. , . , , On returning along the water front the fine stretch of even, sand In Worser Bay was commented upon, and more than one councillor hinted that it was a- pity the tramway system did not extend to this most desirable nnd eminently safe bashing beach. At the kiosk, in Seatoun, afternoon tea was provided, and following that a trip was made through the Pass of Branda to Breaker Bay. It is not generally known thalt from a point half-way through the Pass (indicated by posts) the road to 'the sea on the other side is a private one. The land in that locality runs through the property of Mr. A. Crawford, whose rights extend to high-water mark—one of tho very few properties in the Dominion which have such a seaward line of demarcation. Lach rear for one day, a barrier is erected across this road—in the centre of the pass—to preserve the owner’s rights. As. there is some talk of running <>. road rieht round the foreshore from Breaker Bav t<> Lyall Bay, the locality was examined with unusual interest. It is understood that Mr. Crawford is not averse to the road being made, as it would serve to open up his land, but he has also off-red to sell a large area of mlly land between Breaker Bay and ceriain land on the Lvall Bay side to the council for the sum of .£30,000. These matters will probably be left to tho incoming Mayor and council to consider. The property also contains a metal quarry (with cniMiin- plant), and the valuable shingle b-ach a.'". Breaker Bay. Many thousands of yards of excellent shingle have been removed from this teach, but the loss is never-'noticeable, for the vash of the ocean brings up fresh deposits with every ** After a good look ro-ind the coasit tho party returned to town convinced that in Miramar the city possesses an asset of great prospective value.