Ambitious Scheme for Hastings

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIX, Issue 30, 22 January 1929, Page 6

Ambitious Scheme for Hastings

Establishment of a Civic Square

Mayor Puts Proposal Before Chamber of Commerce

If the proposals of the M ayor (Mr. G. A. Maddison) are carried out, Hastings will have a civic square second to none in the Dominion. Mr. Maddison put his proposals before the Hastings Chamber of Commerce last evening, members being enthusiastic over the matter, and promising their wholehearted support.

Mr. Maddison, in submitting his proposal, said it was desired to purchase the balance of the central block in Russell street, on which the Women’s Rest stands. He had gone into the matter and had got in touch with the owners, with the result that he obtained an option over all the properties except one. Within the past eighteen months or two years be had endeavoured to obtain an option over the two corner sections of the block—the late Cabaret section (Mrs. Room), at the intersection of Karamu load and Lyndon road, and Mr. Rivers’ section, at the corner of Karamu road and Eastbourne stre“t. Last year the Council had purchased the section adjoining the Women’s Rest for £7OO. of which £350 was paid. That was necessary in order to prevent its being taken over for an industry, which might be inimical to the Women’s Rest, and now.that had been turned into a playground for children tinder 12, who would be under the care of the matron while the mothers transacted their business in the town. The section was laid out in lawn and fenced in, whilst there was £6O, the retut,i from the Frivolity Minstrel entertainment, for the purchase of swings and other playisg equipments PROPERTIES TO BE PURCHASED Having secured the two cornet sections, said Mr. Maddison, there would be a break in the continuity of the business movement in that portion of the block, which would facilitate the purchase of the old King’s Theatre and the other intervening properties. In May last he submitted his report to- the Borough Council and it was then confidential, but now, of course, it was public. Mr. Rivers had offered his property at £2,850, £3OO cash to be paid on possession, the balance eo remain for a reasonable period at GJ per cent. In the report lie recommended that Mr. Rivers be offered £2,750, of which £250 be paid in cash, the balance to remain on mortgage for ten years at 6 per cent. The property had' a frontage to Karamu road of 99 feet and to Eastbourne street of 120 feet. Mrs. Room’s property had a frontage of 66 feet to Karamu road and a frontage of 166 feet to Lyndon road and the price asked by the owner was £l5OO. Another £lOO would be necessary tor filling in the section. He recommended the Council to offer £1450. with a cash payment of £3OO on possession, the capital to be reduced at the rate of £220 -per year until the amount was paid, the interest on the unpaid balance to be at the rate of 6 per cent. If these corner properties were purchased it would prevent the scheme of a civic square being nullified by any private individual. If the Borough purchased these properties it would mean a loss in rates of £6O per annum. COUNCIL'S APPROVAL. The council, continued the Mayor, approved the scheme and he received authority to proceed with it but he found that an owner had increased the price and so he considered the proper course was to hold back, to sit tight, and not to be imposed upon

A sum of £9OO had been placed on the estimates towards the purchasing of these two properties. It was an open question, but they must look ahead. All thoughtful people must approve of a garden and an open-air space, which would be an invaluable addition to the appearance of Russell street, besides being a lung in its centre for the future city. As far as finance was concerned, the borough which was in a satisfactory financial position, could easily arrange that If all the properties were bought there would be a loss of £127 pei annum in rates. After the first year, when the deposits were paid, only £5OO a year would have to be paid in the following few .years, which included the loss on the rates.

The present municipal offices were badly designed and there was no room for expansion and the time was coming when these offices must be reconstructed or rebuilt, because the staff were working under difficulties which would become more and more accentuated as time went on. That was the position of the civic square The money was ready to purchase the two properties and he would like the chamber’s opinion. (Applause.) In reply to a question from the press, the Mayor said he thought that the new municipal offices should be established in the centre of the civic square. MEMBERS’ REMARKS. Mr. Harvey considered that it would be criminal if these properties were allowed to go to an outsider and built on The open space was so close to the centre of the town that the acquisition of the property was vital to its progress and to making it one of the most beautiful civic centres in the Dominion.

Mr. Budd agreed. If the area was not purchased, he said, it would be turned into an industrial locality which would be deplorable. No town in New Zealand could surpass Hastings in its cleanliness and upkeep and this condition was largely due to the Mayor. The bulk of the ratepayers would support the proposal. Mr J. Wilson said, he had sounded many people on the subject and every one of them favoured the scheme. If a poll was taken, he was sure it would be carried by a big maiority.

Mr. Whitlock said that a few might oppose it; some people always re nosed, but the opposition would be inconsiderable. A space must be provided in the centre of the town and if Mr. Maddison went on with the uro’,loss] Im would have the ratepayers behind him The Mayor said that when the town nlanning legislatio o'mpleted, he hoped thev could take a reserve for a civic square under that Act. It was decided to write to the Borough Council, expressing the desirability of the council purchasinq certain lands as the nucleus of a civic square, according to the terms laid down by the Mayor. A vote of thanks was accorded the Mayor for his address.