TO LOSE DAY'S BAY ?

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 92, 15 October 1913, Page 8

TO LOSE DAY'S BAY ?

I SUBDIVISION FOR HOUSES A CHANCE TO SAVE THE GROUNDS. EASTBOURNE'S LEAD. | Last year an effort was made to persuade the City Corporation and other local bodies around Wellington to cooperate for the purchase of the Day's Bay Bush. Some enthusiasm was aroused, but the City Council did not feel disposed to resume negotiations, and tho proposals lapsed. This time the call is for the giounds near the sea — the tennis lawns and the swards beloved by picnic parties, hockey players, and others. A brief report in yesterday's Post mentioned that the survey was complete, and subdividing ajid loading would occur in the ordinary course. To-day a Post representative saw the plans. Part of No. 4 hockey ground — above the pavilion — has already been cut up into twenty-one sections, cf which several were sold during the past winter. The new drawing shows thirtythree sections on Nos. 2, 3, and 5 hockey grounds, and the, space at the front of Day's Bay House (all northward of the pavilion). It is possible that the tennis lawns will bo seured by the Wellington Association, which has the ground (1 acres 2 roods 31 perches) under offer for £2000. Some time ago the association could have bought this ground and the adjacent terrace on the south-each side (an aggregate of *over two acres) for £3000. The opportunity was allowed to slip by — to the association's regret today. The terrace part (eight sections) has been sold for £2000 for residential purposes. The Steam Ferries Company is willing to give the public of Wellington; and district reasonable time — a few weeks — to consider the situation, but wishes to take advantage of the summer season 'for sectional sales, if the people do not desire, effectively, to gain possession of the estate. Mr. W. J. Organ, Mayor of Eastbourne, is striving to save- the splendid grounds for the public. The Borough Council is interested, of course, for various reasons. The grounds are an asset to Eastbourne, as they help to attract population ; also they promote passenger traffic for the ferry steamers now owned by the municipality. However, the Mayor submits that selfishness or business interests cannot be fairly alleged to explain the borough's zeal to preserve the grounds intact. He says that Eastbourne has six and a-half acres of flat land at Muritai, clove to the sea. Soil has been carted there for top-dressing, and it is claimed that a pleasant playground can be formed. Also the borough owns fifteen acres of bush within ten minutes' walk of tho wharf. Therefore Mr. Organ contends that even with the loss of the Day's Bay estate for public use, the Borough would still have enough recreational and scenic reserves to attract visitors. This evening the subject will be discussed by the Eastbourne Borough Counj cil, and the probable issue of the discussion will be an effort to obtain the aid of the Cityi Council. The Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) has been approached, but he has not yet definitely stated his attitude. It is likely that an Eastbourne deputation will interview the council before the end of this month. When questioned about the bush Mr. Organ gave an opinion that it was fair to expect the Government to help in the acquisition of the forest as a scenic reserve. The Ward Government was requested to assist, and though the applicants felt discouraged at first, it was understood, on good authority, subsequently, that the Government was willing 1 to ask Parliament to vote a pound for every pound subscribed by private people or local bodies. Mr. v Organ believes that the present Government should be urged to give reasonable aid in conserving a beauty spot in which many thousands of people outside Wellington are interested.