PUBLIC RESERVES

Evening Star, Issue 14511, 1 November 1910, Page 7

PUBLIC RESERVES

NAPIER MUNICIPAL THEATRE. Tho subject of a site for tho proposed municipal theatre at Napier was brought under tho notice of the Prune Minister by a numerous deputation from tho Borough Council of that town yesterday. Early in tho session a local Bill was introduced in tho House setting aside a portion of a local reserve in Clive square for the purpose, but tho Local Bills Committee reported adversely on the measure. Tho deputation stated _ that tho Borough Council were unanimous as to tho site, and also the majority of tho people of Napier. It was only intended to use half angacro of what was really a rough piece of land, which was given for the uso, benefit, and improvement of the people of Napier, Mr A. L. D. Fraser, cx-M.P. for Napier, said tho objection to the taking of the site was that a wrong was being dono to tho school children, but lie pointed out that it was no part of tho duty of the Council to provide playgrounds for the Education Department. Tho Local Bills Committee opposed the Bill owing to a misapprehension, and the deputation asked that a clause bo inserted in tho “Washing-up” Bill to be brought down tills session. Sir Joseph Ward said the matter would require careful consideration, seeing that the Local Bills Committee had reported adversely on tho Bill. There might have been a misapprehension, and he thought tho best thing to do would ho to give tho Local Bills Committee an opportunity of reviewing their decision. Up to the present public reserves had not been set aside for public building purposes, and in the past Governments had set their faces against tho alienation of reserves for such a purpose. He was prepared to ask tho House to suspend the Standing Orders so as to give tho Local Bills Committee a further opportunity of considering the matter. Mr T. E. Taylor intimated that ho strongly that the reserve should not he in any way interfered with unjsk tho people to whom it belonged were consulted. Ho did not think there was a chance of tho Bill getting through tho House.