CAPTAIN HOBSON

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 90, 13 October 1937, Page 7

CAPTAIN HOBSON

MEMORIAL PARK

AUCKLAND SUGGESTION

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, October 12. The utilisation of the old dock site on the waterfront near the Prince's. Wharf as a memorial park for Captain William Hobson was suggested in, a recommendation brought before a meeting of the Auckland Harbour Board by the chairman, the Hon. T. Bloodworth, M.L.C. A lively discussion was provoked, several members objecting to such disposal of a valuable property, and on a vote of eight to five.. the recommendation was re-, ferred back to the board in committee. "Since the board decided some weeks ago to consider the question of clearing the .dock .site it has occurred to me to suggest^"use "for the area that has not been referred to-before," said Mr. Bloodworth. "I suggest that as part of the board's contribution to the Cen>: tenary celebrations in 1940 it should agree that the area be suitably treated and set aside as an open space, to be known as Hobson Place, retained in the board's ownership, and maintained by the board as a memorial, to Captain Hobson. "It may be said that the area is too valuable *to be set aside for such. it purpose," said Mr. Bloodworth. "With that: I would not agree. The founder of the city should not have a memorial which is of little value. The area is valued at £173,563. Part of it has been available for" building purposes for 32 years and. the other part since 1924, so that the whole area has been available for about 14 years. Except for one small part the area is still untenanted. Iv.costs the board about £400 a year, that being excess payable in rates over,the amount received as rent. The board can well afford to do this. Its last published balance-sheet showed a surplus of assets over liabilities of £2,860;275. I do not suggest that the area should pass from the board's ownership." Moving as an amendment that file whole matter be referred back to the board in committee, Mr. W. F. MeCallum said it was preferable that thft matter should receive some publicity before such an important decision wn made. The present scheme had never before been indicated,- and the public should be made conversant with.it. The amendment was carried.