AMUSEMENT PARK

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 136, 9 June 1926, Page 8

AMUSEMENT PARK

AUCKLAND WATERFRONT SITE

LEASE PROM HAEBOUB BOAED.

(By Telegraph.) (Special to "The Evening Post")

AUCKLAND, This Day.

The desirability of the principal features of the Amusement Park at tho Dunedin Exhibition being transferred to Auckland, was 'discussed to-day by the Auckland Harbour Board, which had been asked to lease portion of the reclaimed land east of the King's Wharf as a site for the scenic railway and other attractions. Tho applicants were the Amusement Park Syndicate, and tho board was asked to lease a block of land with street frontages on four sides and having an area of 2J acres. The Finance Committee recommended that the area be leased for five years at £2000 a year, and that the syndicate be given an option to extend the lease for a further three years at £4000 a year. The chairman, Mr. H. B. Mackenzie, moved the adoption of the recommenda tion.

Strong objection was taken by Mr. T. Bloodworth to the granting of a lease for the purpose) as he did not think it a" proper use for the board's land. He thought the board should consider, not only its own interests, but also the effect of such an amusement park placed, so close to the principal business section' of the city, as it could not be anything but detrimental to business interests. He argued that it would not be like an exhibition, which was usually a temporary affair intended to stimulate trade. To establish the park for five or eight years would mean that it would take money that in the ordinary course would go to the normal business of the city. Another aspect was chat if the park remained for eight years it would mean that almost one generation of children would grow up under the influence of this amusement park, and this would not be good for them. Thero might be an opening in Auckland for this kind of thing, but not right in tho city. A suitable island in the gulf might be found. A park erected for a short period might be all right, and would provide work for a number of men, but if it remained for five or eight years the city would pay the penalty. This view was opposed by Mr. M. H. Wynyard, who said there was no rea son why the board should not obtain revenue from land it did not require at present. He did not think the enter prise would have any damaging effect on the community or the general business of the city. The chairman said the park would come under the control of the municipal authorities. If the syndicate had decided to bring the attractions to Auckland and the board refused to lease the land it would get a site elsewhere, and the board wonld lose the revenue. The" chairman's motion was carried, Mr. Bloodworth requesting that his digsent be recorded.