FOR RECREATION

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 77, 1 April 1914, Page 10

FOR RECREATION

TO EXTEND HUTT GROUNDS. RATEPAYERS TO~BE APPROACHED A proposal that the borough should purchase an additional area of fi,ve ticres of land for recreation purposes was considered by the Lower Hutt Borough Council last night. The land, which adjoins the present recreation ground, comprises tho balance of the Wilkin& Estate. The subject was brought forward by the Mayor, Mr. E. P. Bunny, who moved that the council apply to the ratepayers for their consent to a. loan of £2700 in order to acquire the area for recreation purposes, the loan to be raised by the iesue of debentures having a currency of ten yeare, and bearing interest at the rate of 10 per centum, to be paid out of a special rate of l-18th of a penny in the £. The Mayor said that he thought all councillor* were practically agreed that the matter should be put before ratepayers, who ought to decide whether the- land should be acquired. In Ins opinion it would b© a very valuable asset. The amount of the loan -would be sufficient to purchase the land, and the matter of improving it for recreation purposes could receive tlie attention of some .future council. The proposed rate would produce the revenue of £160 a year. This amount would provide a small sum as a sinking fund. j Councillor Purdy, in seconding tho | motion, said that the property was very I cheap, and there could be no question about it. He was .perfectly satisfied thai the ratepayers would "seize" upon it. In stating that at the present time the Recreation Ground, wae hardly big enough for the requirements of tho borough, Councillor Clendon said that it would be' a very great pity if the ratepayers did not take advantage of. the j offer. Councillor Meldrum also spoke in favour of the proposal, which was carried unanimously.