BASIN RESERVE

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 149, 25 June 1915, Page 3

BASIN RESERVE

PROPOSALS DISCUSSED MAJOR SCHEME ADOPTED yTHE CITY COUNCIL'S DECISION. Arguments for and against major and minor schemes for the alteration of the Basin Reserve were repeated fn the City Council meeting last night. New councillors made known their positions, and two members of the council stated their reasons for a change of attitude. Eventually the minor scheme, previously adopted, was defeated, and the council decided to promote legislation to enable it to carry out the major scheme. This means that the council abandons the lesser proposal to move the eastern fence inside the shrubbery and modify the tramway curves, and adopts the more ambitious proposal to reconstruct the western playing area, removing the pavilion and cutting down the bank. This scheme involves the construction of a children's ground' on the eastern side and cut off from the main park by the tramway. On 9th October, 1914, the council resolved — "That the amended scheme of proposed alterations <to the Basin Reserve, as submitted in the report of the City Engineer, bo adopted." Last night the Reserves Committee recommeded that this resolution be given effect to at once, and that (the carnival funds which are available, £725, be • placed towards the cost. This resolution embodies what is termed the minor scheme. Councillor Frost, chairman of the committee, v briefly referred to the arguments adduced in previous debates in favour of the respective schemes. There' was some debate on the clause. Councillor Godber led the opposition on lines previonsly reported. Councillor Hildreth supported the major scheme on the ground that the expenditure involved therein would eventually be necessary, and earlier than was thought. The grandstand, for instance, would have to be rebuilt shortly. Councillor Hutcheson also was of opinion that money spent on the minor scheme would be wasted. They could modify the curves at lower ' cost, / and that, was absolutely necessary, but 'they must deny themselves the expenditure in the minor scheme, which concerned the aesthetic side; particularly when, this scheme would not be auxiliary to the major 1 scheme, which he believed would eventually be adopted. Councillor Barber announced that, having been over the ground, he was prepared to reverse his vote , for the minor scheme and suggest that they ask Parliament for authority to take up the major scheme. Finance, he believed^ could be arranged locally. He had always been in favour of the major scheme, but had supported the minor proposal as temporarily expedient. "If I saw a reasonable possibility of the major scheme being carried out shortly, I should support it," said Councillor Bennett. Ha did not see 'this possibility, and as the tramway portion of the business was urgent, he supported .the minor scheme. Councillor Fuller proposed that 'the minor scheme be deferred and submitted in six months' time. Councilor Fitzgerald gave hie support to the major scheme, contending that it ■would end for all time the agitation regarding the tramway route. Support was accorded to the minor scheme, as previously, by Councillors Luckie and M'KenzieAfter further debate, the Mayor.,, said he had been told that, the best terms on which the council could raise a loan was 5 per cent, He did not think they were justified in asking the ratepayers to authorise a loan at that rate. He was in favour of the major scheme, and considered that the only opposition came from a section of the people who reckoned they would not get such a good view from the western bank. v His advice was that the council get passed legislation for the major scheme, and in the meanwhile acquire the necessary property. Two years ago he supported the major scheme, and he never found anyone to oppose it. He should vote against the committee's report, and' urged that the City Solicitor should be instructed to promote the necessary legislation. Councillor Frost, in reply, remarked on the changed attitude adopted by Councillors Barber and Fitzgerald. The minor scheme had previously been carried by 10 votes to 5. The voting on the motion for the adoption of the report was even, and the Mayor gave his casting vote for the Noes. The voting was : — Ayes : Councillors Atkinson, Bennett, Bush, Frost, Luckie, M'Kenzie, and Thompson. Noes : The Mayor, Councillors Barber, Fitzgerald, Fuller, Godber, Hildreth, and Hutcheson. ' Subsequently the Mayor prpposed that the City Solicitor be instructed to prepare a Bill for submission to Parliament to give effect to the major scheme. " The -whole thing has to go to the people," he said, in answer to a question. " The , people's interests will be thoroughly safeguarded." Eventually the council decided that the City Solicitor be instructed to prepare the Bill.