GEAR ISLAND

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 62, 15 March 1927, Page 11

GEAR ISLAND

AND HUTT PARK

QUESTION OF PURCHASE

DISCUSSED

The question of the future of Gear Island was introduced last evening at the Lower Hutt Council meeting when a recommendation ivas submitted from the Hutt Park Committee that Gear Island should be jointly purchased by the Petone and Lower Hutt Borough Councils for a recreation area. Councillor Meldrum said he hoped the control of the island would never pass out of the hands of Hutt Valley ratepayers. He would support the proposal for its purchase. Councillor Hobvs said the area would be needed by the joint boroughs. In time to come they would find a portion of it useful for the erection of a destructor and council yards. The Mayor said he would strenuously oppose the purchase for any other purpose than that of recreation. Councillor Watkins asked councillors to visualise the great opportunity of securing an area for beautifications as well as for a playin-j area. Councillor Meldrum then formally moved "that the recommendation of the Park Committee be given effect to. The Mayor (Mr. Strand) said it was all very well passing the resolution, • but he would like more consideration given to the matter. When the idea of setting Gear Island aside for recreation purposes was first mooted two years ago Petone was against it, because there was too much land already set aside for recreation areas. Now the idea of exchanging the Hutt Park for Gear Island was being opposed because both were required. He was convinced that Gear Island could be made what the Hutt Park could never be made, and that was why he was advocating the exchange. Recreation areas were needed, but not all in one place. It would be a mistake to close up 250 acres for recreation purposes in the south of the valley when none was provided, in the north. L"6wer Hutt, Petone, Eastbourne,, and the military authorities had a say in the Hutt Park. The Hutt Park was so tied up at present with long leases that it would be many years before it could be available as a proper sports ground. Petone really had very little financial interest in Gear Island, which was owned by the Kiver Board, and which had only 200 ratepayers in Petone, or from whom less than £200 was collected in rates. The Hutt County had greater interests than Petone, but the major ownership was with the ratepayers of Lower Hutt. He would be sorry to see the resolution passed to retain both areas for recreation purposes. ■ Councillor Hunt moved that further consideration be deferred. It would, in his opinion, be a mistake to allow the Hutt Park to be used for anything but a: recreation area. Gear Island was the heritage of the valley and should also be retained for a recreation ground. Councillor Teagle said he would be prepared to -fight strongly against putting a destructor on Gear Island, but would fight still more strongly against letting go the Hutt Park. Councillor Hunt's motion to dofer 'consideration was carried.

The Hutt Park Committee forwarded to the Petone Borough'- Council last night the terms of a resolution urging the councils to have Gear Island vested in the local bodies for recreation purposes. Councillor G. Cook moved that a conference of the Petone and. Lower Hutt Borough Councils be hold to consider the matter. Councillor V. Jaeobson considered that the Biver Board should be included, as it was desirable that the various local bodies should work in harmony. The Mayor was of the opinion that as the Biver Board was the body which the councils were trying to deal with and was in charge of the matter, it should not bo represented at the conference. The original motion was curried.