SITES EXAMINED

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 64, 9 December 1936, Page 12

SITES EXAMINED

National Exhibition " Project THORNDON AREA TO BE CONSIDERED Citizens’ Meeting Hears Various Schemes Various suggestions for a site for the projected Centennial Exhibition to be held in Wellington iu 1940 were placed by their sponsors before a meeting of local body representatives ami others at the Town Hall last night. Of eight proposals put forward us alternatives to the Rongotai area first thought to be the most suitable a scheme to establish the exhibition on reclaimed land near Thorudon appeared to make strongest appeal as being a likely solution of the problem. The suggestions were fully outlined by their advocates, but no attempt was made to decide the site then and there. Final selection will bo considered by the provisional directors of the exhibition company in consultation with advisers. A resolution was adopted enthusiastically backing the exhibition irrespective of what site is eventually chosen.

The attendance included the lion. P. Fraser aud the Hon. R. Semple, the chairman of the Wellington Harbour Board. Mr. D. J. McGowan, tbe General Manager of Railways, Mr. G. 11. Mackley, members of the city council and other local bodies and citizens actively interested in tbe preliminary work of organisation. The mayor, Mr. T. C. A. Hislop, who presided, said the object of the meeting was to hear proposals by various persons who had made suggestions either through the Press or their own organisations. The provisional board of directors had an open mind on the question of sites and desired only to get the very best locality. Area, convenience to the city and cost of preparation of the ground would be tbe determining factors. During the last 18 months a number of possible areas bad been investigated, and Rongotai was thought until recently to offer the best possibilities. Later other sites were suggested. One that would be discussed was proposed by Sir Alexander Roberts. It was situated at the reclamation near the projected Thorndon ramp. The Te Aro flat bad been suggested by Captain S. S. Holm and Mr. E. Anscombe in seperate schemes. These would involve a great deal of money in preparation, and would require to be ready for building upon by the end of next year. Unless a beneficent Government- were able to help .financially tbe proposal would present too large a hurdle for the company. Tbe mayor moved, and Mr. D. J. McGowan seconded : “That this meeting determines to support to the fullest means within its power the exhibition scheme, and that whatever site be ultimately chosen we all pledge ourselves to do our utmost to make the exhibition a success." The motion was carried unanimously. Thermion Reclamation. Sir Alexander Roberts, proposing tbe employment of the Tborndon reclamation jointly owned by the Railway Department and the harbour board, said tbe site be suggested was situated at the extreme north end of Waterloo Quay. It offered 34 acres centrally placed and of ample area to bouse a first-class exhibition. It would provide room for buildings with a floor space of 600,000 square feet and 10 acres for an amusement park. In addition there would be plenty of space for a main avenue formed from the existing road and tbe ramp. Tlie success of an exhibition depended entirely on its accessibility to the population, said Sir Alexander. All would agree that if the site he suggested could be obtained it would be almost ideal. Very favourable assistance was being given by the Railway Department and tbe harbour board, and he had the utmost confidence in recommending the locality. The Mayor of Lower-Hutt, Mr. J. W. Andrews, submitted arguments for the utilisation of Gear Island as a suitable site. He said it was almost the identical spot where the first settlers landed in 1840. It contained 105 acres and would make an exceptionally line site, bounded as it was by the Hutt River on two sides. A short distance away was tbe added advantage of Petone beach. The old western arm of the river formed a lake suitable for water exhibition purposes generally, and would lend itself to beautifying. Apart from its other natural attractions an additional advantage of Gear Island was that every kind of aquatic sport could be provided for. Exceptional facilities for the rapid transport of passengers by train, bus. rail-car and motor-car were offered by the locality. Fifteen thousand persons an hour could be comfortably handled by the railway alone, the journey occupying only 15 minutes from Wellington non-stop.

Use of Te Aro Flat.

Mr. E. Anscombe detailed his plan for the establishment of the exhibition iu tbe Te Aro flat on a site bounded by Buckle, Taranaki, and Dufferin Streets, taking in the Basin Reserve, Adelaide Road, and areas on botli sides of the road. lie illustrated the scheme with I; ntern views, emphasising the civic betterment that would result from the removal of slum houses in the preparation of the site.

The use of Te Aro flat, but in a different part, was urged by Captain S. 8. Holm, This scheme contemplated a block of 43 acres bounded by Vivian Street, Cambridge Terrace. ' Buckle Street, and Taranaki Street. He also drew attention to the improvement of the city that would follow the erection of tlie exhibition iu lhe area he metitioued.

Mr. 11. T. Johns presented bis plan for using the area between Clyde Quay and Taranaki Street wharves The double deck system, lie said, would solve Hie problem of the restricted land available.

Mr, James Stellln suggesteil using the 100 acres occupied by the Miramar golf links, Hie golfers using the Berhampore links or some other during the term of lhe exhibition. An area laking in Goveriiniem House grounds and part of Adelaide Road properties was suggested by Mr. J. Aston, a former member of the city council. Summing up the various proposals Mr. Hislop said it would seem at first sight that Gear Island lacked the ad vantage of being central. Mr. Aston’s scheme, including Government House, and a large num tier of houses in Adelaide Road, would provide only 27 acres. Mr. Johns’s proposal for using tli<' area tit Clyde Quay had Hie disad vantage that seven acres of Hie liar hour would require to be rei-lnimed oni.\ 12 acres being available a! present.

Captain Holm's and Mr. Aiiscombe’s

plans would involve perhaps £750,000 by the time tlie houses and buildings wer<- demolished and people rehoused elsewhere. Tbe scheme could not be unde taken unless tlie Government were prepared to meet the cost.

As for Sir Alexander Roberts’s proposal, tbe mayor pointed out that the land at the harbour board’s reclamation at Waterloo Quay was ready for building on. it contained 34 acres and possessed obvious advantages, notably convenience to the city. Tlie sporting events associated with the ex’hibition would be conducted elsewhere.“I am satisfied that whatever site is selected we can make a great success of the exhibition,” said Mr. Hislop. ■‘We have already secured £65.000 of the £150,000 required for subscription. We hope to go to allotment on January 25, by which time we need £75.000 to do so.”

Mr. Hislop appealed for the taking up of shares by the public generally, and predicted that at least £4O out of every £5O subscribed would ultimately be returned to those subscribing. The project was going very well, and the provisional directors, in (heir prelim inary canvass, had secured promises over ami above tbe £05.000 which would cover the £75,000 required in order to go to allotment.