ROADS AND PATHS

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 102, 2 May 1928, Page 11

ROADS AND PATHS

MIRAMAR'S SHARE THE POLO GROUND Various aspects of the development of the- Miramar district were touched upon by Councillors R. Semple and B. G. H. Burn, speaking at the quarterly meeijing of the Miramar Progressive Association last evening. Referring' to roading and footpath work,. Councillor Serriple said that the late start made last summer had been due to the late arrival of supplies of bitumen, but the engineer had informed him- that half of Miramar's share of the work would be completed, this winter. Councillor Semple contended that footpath work should "be commenced at once, as the present paths, were a disgrace in winter time. He mentioned also the question of :■ drainage improvement, in repect' of which a proposal, involving £61,000, was now before the Board of Health for sanction. The chairman of the Works Committee, Councillor H. D. Bennett,. had urged that the work was urgently required, said Councillor Semple, and had pressed the point on many occasions. Referring to the eastern access problem, Councillor Senvplc said that he was definitely in favour of a tunnel and against any new hill road proposal. The chairman of the Reserves Committee, Councillor Burn, assured the meeting that the Polo Ground would be secured for Miramar, for the council had put a proclamation over the land, but the next step was with the company owning the ground. If the council forced matters they would .have to pay a great deal more for it. Negotiations were also proceeding with the Government to secure another area, although up to the present the Government had refused to givo or sell tho land. The Reserves Committee could do more if it had money, but it was a question of finance. Against £31,000 spent last year, the revenue did not amount to £7000. , At the same time: he agreed that; playing grounds were as necessary to the health as good housing and sanitation. A member drew attention to the fact that players had had to undress in the Open, and the police had been asked to take action in the matter. The chairman, Mr. E. O. Thornton, remarked that the council had nothing to do with the ground yet. Councillor Burn said that the council could not undertake the building of a shed there at present. During the. general discussion which followed the councillors agreed to bring before the notice of the Works Committee a complaint as to the poles in Hobart street, and a further complaint that, the placing of gas retort residue on the footpaths as a weed killer had caused damage to lawns and treesj thematerial being rather too effective. A motion was adopted on the suggestion of Councillor Semple protesting against the granting of milling rights in the land vested in the.city under the city and suburban water supply scheme.