WAITANGI GIFT

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 16, 13 October 1932, Page 8

WAITANGI GIFT

Lord Bledisloe’s Plans for Improvements LAKE, MUSEUM, LINKS Tentative plans for the development of the site ot the signing of the Treaty ot Waitangi, which, he and the Lady Bledisloe had presented to the nation, were outlined by the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, In an address to the Victoria League yesterday afternoon. His Excellency made it clear that there was nothing definite about the proposals, as the Bill concerning the gift had not yet come before Parliament. After referring to the growth of “alrmindedness.” his Excellency said that he and the Lady Bledisloe had selected a spot as a landing ground for aeroplanes. Waitangi would thus be brought within a few hours of Wellington, and visitors would be able to land, in the utmost comfort, right at the door of the old British Residency. Another tning which had been provisionally decided upon was the creation of a most excellent golf course, and the turning of an inlet of the sea into a lake of about 80 acres simply by putting up a small dam. There would be native bush at the head of the lake, and it was hoped that waterfowl and other rare birds would settle there and convert the property into a bird sanctuary. The creation of a small museum within the residency was also mentioned by Lord Bledisloe. He said that it should contain a facsimile of the treaty—which had already been presented —portraits of the principal people concerned in the negotiation of the treaty, and also suitable relics. People who possessed relics of the transaction might be persuaded to present them to this museum.