GEAR ISLAND AGAIN

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 15, 17 July 1929, Page 11

GEAR ISLAND AGAIN

USE BY SPORTS BODIES

GOLF CLUB'S PROPOSAL

Geur Island arid the use to which it should bo put was a question again discussed at the some length by the Hutt Biver Board last night.

The Shandon Golf Club wrote to .the board asking if it would bo possible to get a lease of portion-of Gear Island to enable a golf course of 18 holes to be laid out. The club was prepared to offer £500 per annum, for as long a term as the board would grant, for approximately half the island. Playing accommodation could then be provided for at least 400 members. The club had in mind, with the approval and possible linancial assistance of the board, the erection of a substantial clubhouse. The layout of the links would receive careful consideration, for one of tho finest courses in the country could be made on Uio island.

Tho engineer (Mr. H. Sladden) said that the land wanted by the club was tho inferior part of the island. The clerk (Mr. A. J. Gearing) stated that the board was at present, receiving £600 per annum for the whole of. tho island.

Mr. F. S. Hewer feared that the golf people would exclude other sports from tho island, and Mr. C. Gostelow said that no one- sports body should be given control of half the island, particularly a sports body catering for the wealthy. The chairman (Mr. W. T. Strand) said that tho board vow had a definite offer such as it had never had before. There was no hope of the golf club and the other sports bodies ever coining together, and in view of tho exceptional rental offered for the inferior part of tho ground he did not think the board would bo doing its duty if-, it refused the offer. The granting of the lease, would not debar sports bodies from the other half of tho island.

Mr. Hewer thought that before anything was done a comprehensive plan for tho use o£ the island by all sports bodies should be prepared. He did not think that the board should let one club pick out a piece to suit itself. Tho chairman replied that a great deal of trouble had been gone to in the past, trying to get tho sports bodies to como together, but they could not reach unanimity. The board had been prepared to let the whole island for £600, but the sports bodies would not amalgamate for the purpose of accepting it. If the golf club's request meant the exclusion of other sports bodies ho would certainly refuse it. But the club wanted only half the island, and there would bo ample room for other sports. He suggested that the board call for tendors for the lease of the part of the island wanted by tho golf club. This would bring tho various sports bodies to the realisation that Gear Island was the last big open space available for games.

Mr. Gostelow said that Gear Island was a park for anyone, and he should prefer to have, it free for anyone to wander over at any • time. " The chairman and Mr. J. Mitchell pointed out that tho borough and city recreation grounds were lot to various sports bodies, and one could not wander over them at any time. Mr. W. 11. Smith said that the land wanted by the golf club was practically use ess for any other purpose. It was quite unsuitable for cricket or football Mr Mitchell moved that tenders be called for tho lease of that portion of the| island wished for by the Shandou Golf Club. Mr. Strand seconded the

that the golf club be asked to get tho otlK^ports bodies to join it in making a combined application for the whole island.

Speaking against tho motion, Mr Hewer said that he would agree to an apphcahon from the . combined sports

Smith: "Which you'll never

The motion was carried, Messrs. Hewer and Gostelow dissenting.