USE OF RESERVES

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 136, 6 December 1944, Page 7

USE OF RESERVES

RIGHTS OF THE CROWN

"Unfortunately there is a growing tendency .with our local governing authorities when needing to expand their buildings or whatnot without demur to encroach on our public lands if there is a domain or reserve they can get," said Mr. F. Langstone (Government, Waimarino) in the House of Representatives yesterday when the Christchurch Hospital Amendment Bill was under discussion. I "Not only hospital boards are doing it, but others, too, and there is a responsibility on the House to see that existing open spaces are protected," added Mr. Langstone, who contended that more, not fewer, open spaces were needed. He would like in the future to see provision made for adequate hospital reserves to avoid nibbling at present public reserves. Mr. E. P. Meachen (Government, Marlborough), chairman of the Lands Committee, said, as a member of the committee for nine years, he wished to refer to Mr. Langstone's claim that there was a growing tendency for local authorities to encroach on reserves. The Lands Committee dealt with such requests, and he was satisfied the position was not as stated by Mr. Langstone. In the past, as at present, he had found members of the committee very zealous in conserving to the full the rights and prerogatives of the Crown. He would not like any suggestion to go forth that the rights of the Crown were lightly set aside. In the case before the House the purpose for which a portion of land could be used had merely been changed, and any suggestion that the rights and prerogatives were lightly set aside should receive a most emphatic denial.