GEAR ISLAND

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 137, 14 June 1927, Page 9

GEAR ISLAND

A DEFINITE PROPOSAL

Tho first definite* step in the proposal to use Gear Island as a park and sports ground tlio Hutt Valley and surrounding districts, was taken last evening, -when"-tho Hutt '.River Board, tho owner of the property, at a special meeting, ii structed its solicitor to. promote a Bill to go before this session of Parliament which proposes to give the Hutt Rivor Board power to administer the property.as a park and general sports ground. At tho present time the board has not power to go outside its special function, which is to protect tho district from the menace of flood ■waters, iii the Hutt River and other .streams under its jurisdiction. The actual resolution passed last evening reads:—(a). That legislation be sought for the administration of Gear Island as a park and sports area; (b) to obtain authority to lease to sports bodies if necessary; and (c) to raisemoney under the Local Bodies Loans Act for that purpose." If the proposal is carried through the position in regard to tho island will bo clarified from its present somewhat nebulous position. At the present time, bodies outside the River Board and the River Board itsol'f have passed resolutions advocating Gear Island being used as a park, but so far no definite proposal lias been put fonVard as to who should own and administer tho property. The proposal now is. that the island should remain the property of the board, which should also bo the administering authority. By special arrangement, itoutcr's troriti lenlcc, In additloi' -o other special sourcesof Information, ir ased In tile conuii'.ition of the oversea Intel)'.trace published In this Issue, •ncl all rights therein In Australia and New Zealand are reserved.