CITY RESERVES

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 59, 3 December 1926, Page 12

CITY RESERVES

PLEA FOR IMPROVEMENT LOSS OF THORNDON ESPLANADE PROPOSED TEPID BATHS A deputation representing the Wellington Cricket Association, the Mercantile Cricket League, the Rugby Union, tho ilucbv League, the Wellington t oolball Association, the W ellnirson Swimming Association, Wellington Golf Club, Wellington Basketball Association, and tho Sports Protection League, waited uuon the City Council last night in support of the proposals of the Reserves Committee for the- improvement and extension of the reserves, to urge upon the council the desirability of finalising the question of the amount of compensation duo’to the city for, the loss of the Thorndon-: Esplanade, and to ask the council to refund to (lie special account referred to in the Thorndon Reclamation Act the amount taken from it by legislation in 1295.

The very large deputation was introduced bv Councillor al. F. Luckie.

“With regard to the first request,” said Mr. R. W. Shallcrass, ‘the i..? .lion is that immediately after the election of the present council, the Reserves Comitteo placed on the estimates tor the year-certain urgent improvements and extensions to the reserves. These amounts were cut out by the Finance Committee, with the understanding that thev would be included in a loan proposal to Ire placed before the ratepayers. Other committees, however, also came forward with proposals so extensive, that no agreement has yet been reached. The Reserves Committee Lave now framed a schedule ot works. It is understood that tho chairman of the Reserve Committee hasfa notice ot motion on the order paper for consideration the same night asking the council to adopt the schedule, uiid the deputation strongly supports this Tha reasons are that the present council has done practically nothing duffing its term of office to extend the accommodation foi sports bodies, in marked contrast to some of its predeeessois, which have such line grounds, as Wakefield Park. Kelburn Park, Anderson Park, snd Karori Park to their credit. The demand is a steadily increasing one with the absorbtion by the city of the surrounding boroughs, and the steadily increasing population. The deputation recognises the difficulties owing to the configuration of country anil heavy expenditure thereby entailed, but is convinced that the results justify it.’’ Dressing shed accommodation and Wakefield Park was required during the football season when grounds were doublebanked, the accommodation was so limited that many players were compelled to change in the open. The golf house and tea rooms in the same locality were asked for. The municipal golf course more than paid its way, and its formation had made a great improvement to the Town Belt, and it was patronised to such an extent that at times there was considerable overcrowijihg. A central got? house and tea rooms would provide a good revenue, and divide the present congestion. Another provision they were urging was hard courts for basket ball, on some centrally-situated reserve. There were now over 803 girls engaged at basket ball on Saturday afternoons during the winter, and up to the present no provision had been made for them, although practically every other branch of sport had been provided for. The hard courts would pay their way, and would also produce an excellent revenue from tennis during the summer months. In regard to the centrally-situated, saltwater tepid swimming baths and Turkish baths, it was something of a reproach on the city that it had no public hot water bathe. The question had been before the council for four years or more. Deputations from ratepayers and the swimming associations had, on more than one occasion, urged the council to proceed with this work- In April, 1923, the council agreed to their erection on the power station site Mercer Street. The deputation stood strongly to this resolution fixing this site and no other. It supported the proposal of the Reserves Committee to arrange for the additional finance required to carry out the work. They approved the policy of the Reserves Committee in providing recreation grounds for the suburban areas, eaid Mr. Shallcrass, and the deputation supported the proposals to secure additional grounds and the formation of areas where cricket and tennis could be played in the summer and hockey and football in the winter. The general health of the community was paramount, and the expenditure advocated was -consequently more than justified. The various sports bodies which voluntarily, without profit or gain, gave they va liable services in promoting national games to such great advantage to the btate, should receive every assistance council. A word of praise was given Mr J. G. McKenzie, director of icserves, 'for the splendid condition in which he kept the grounds undei his control.

The Esplanade. The other question referred to the Thorndon Esplanade, continued the sneaker. The deputation desired the council to endeavour to get the amount or compensation assessed without any further delay it possible, and a H>heU to the purpose prescribed, lhe aepu tation di§ not mind if the co “ Pe a? was paid in cash or by L 1 , perty, as long as the object piovidea bv legislation was assured, namely, "for the provision of such facilities tor recreation for the inhabitants ot the city of Wellington as may from time to time be approved in that behalf by the Governor-General in Council. Regaiding the amount already taken under the Washing Up Bill, 1925, the counci should be told that the passage of this clause could have been stopped, but it is was recognised that the transactions was a convenient one for the city at the time. The deputation, however, desired that, the amount so taken should be refunded to the special account as prescribed in the original legislation, f ins could be done from a street widening loan when it was again necessary to raise one. That claim might be moderately pressed on any reasonable grounds but' the council would probably say "what we have we will hold. Mr. J. Prendeville, on behalf of the Rugby Union, said that every one of fho football codes was growing in numbers and there was a necessity for more grounds to meet the increasing number of plavers. On behalf of the Wellington Basketball Association, Miss Armstrong said the local association was the largest in the Dominion. Basketball at present was the only game taken in an organised 'wav at schools, and that tended to show the increasing popularity of the "arae. Next vear a New Zealand tournament was to be held in Wellington, and there was the difficulty of securing . a suitable playing ground. The Mayor’s Reply. The Mayor, in reply, said the council ns a whole had the desire to do all in their power to encourage outdoor sports. It had to' be rememliercd that very heavy expenditure was involved. I hey had decided that it was a matter on which the public should say what should be done. There were other works to do; there wore public conveniences to provide and many other vital works which represent a large uni of monev. In addition they had found at the beginning of the year that the time was not opportune to raise * , In regard to the Thorndon Esplanade, (he Uavor stated that there was the reclamation work to be paid t°J'’ before anything else A special committee had been set up to arrange some form of estimate. in which direction the new city engineer, would consult with the engnoers of the Harbour Board and Public Works Department. The desire of tlm council was to get a definite settlement of the matter if that was at all possible.

Long Wait for Baths Site. As to the tepid baths the speaker wm afraid that the proposal to use the elec iaic power house (in Mercer Street) was impossible as it was still in use, and u that was the only proposal he was afraid they would have io wait for tepid bathe for a long time yet The property waa valued at .£96.000. There was another proposal that would only cost a quarter of the sum mentioned, and in view of that he personally could not recommend the council to go on with the scheme. Still he realised that it was a public property, and it was for them to M’ whether it should go on, and they had a duty to the ratepayers in making the position clear. Miss Armstrong had put her casertrt nicely indeed. It was a fact that the young girls of the city were not so well catered for as the men. and it was the duty of the council to see that the po sition was equalised. By encouraging athletics among the girls he was sur* that they would get better women as i '<e result. Tn a general sense the council appreciated all that had been put before them and admired the spirit or their advocacy, if not the letter. Everything snio would be given careful consideration by fho council, and as far ns possible, would endeavour TO give effect to the proposals.