PLANS CHANGED

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 60, Issue 4352, 6 November 1950, Page 5

PLANS CHANGED

TENNIS COURT AREA RAILWAY SETTLEMENT OFFICIALS EXPLAIN SCHEME Amended proposals for the construction of recreational amenities at the railway housing settlement block adjacent to Aorangi and Ainslie roads, Paeroa, were placed before an emergency .meeting of the Paeroa Boroug'h Council on Monday evening last, when officers of interested Government departments were in attendance to explain the new proposals of the Government. Departmental officials present were Mr C. E. Thomas, engineer, Housing Construction Department, Hamilton; Mr F. A. Jones, of the Housing Construction Department, Wellington, and Mr A. R. Gillespie, town planning officer of the Housing Construction Department, Auckland. The mayor of Paeroa, Mr Edwin Edwards, extended a welcome to the departmental officials and informed councillors that, together with Cr W. N. Chamber-lain and Cr E. W. Lee, he had accompanied the officers over the area and they had ' explained the amended proposals.

Mr Edwards recalled the facts to councillors. It had been agreed that the areas originally comprising the Railway Tennis Club’s courts were to be used for house sites, another area being set aside for two more courts, making four in all as well as a playground for children. The amended scheme to which the department required the council’s approval provided for an exchange of areas. The original courts were to be preserved and an additional two courts laid down on adjoining land, the area set aside for courjts under the first scheme to be retained by the department as house sites with an area of approximately threequarters of an acre for a children’s playground.

Mr Jones thanked the council for its courtesy in arranging a meeting. He explained that the director of housing had happened to be passing through Paeroa and saw the condition of the State housing area and thought it -was a pity to destroy existing courts for problematical courts and the director had accordingly made the suggestions for the amended proposals. The department was still prepared to stand by its original arrangements but there was the question as to When the courts and amenities would be available. It meant by the new proposal that the four courts would be upon one level instead of upon two as previously decided upon.

Mr Jones said that_he thought it was in the interests of the people of Paeroa that the amended scheme be accepted. He could not give details of contributions towards costs of laying down courts but the proposal was put forward by him as a proposal in principle, details to be arranged later. The children’s reserve or playground would' comprise an area of about threequarters of an acre and would not be adjoining the tennis courts. That would be an advantage.

In effect Wellington was offering a complete reversal of its previous proposals, said Mr Jones, but it was entirely for the council to accept or Reject the amended scheme.

Cr W. N. Chamberlain pointed out that the tennis club had neglected the upkeep of the courts because it was thought the courts would be shifted. He agreed that it would be wise to preserve the existing courts and from his point of view it was an economic proposition to carry out the amended plan in respect of the tennis courts. He concurred with the amended proposals 100 per cent, said the mayor, and he recommended the approval of the amended plans by the council. Further support came from Mr E. W. Lee, who pointed out that the committee of the tennis club would be very pleased to accept the proposal, which meant the retention of the courts in their present position. It took years for ground to consolidate and the grounds had been consolidated.

The mayor explained that of the total cost jof £&od, under the original scheme, the tennis club had to find £3OO and the department £3OO. The borough council had agreed to find the money for the club which would repay the amount over a term of years. Under the amended scheme the cost would be less. In addition the altered scheme would enable' moire houses to be built on the block than previously anticipated. He suggested that if the department was prepared to make a contribution, upon the same basis as before, then the cotmcil would assist but the details of contributions could: be left to be decided later.

Mr Jones, in reply, informed the council that though he could not mention any particular contribution he could assure the council that a contribution would be available but that was all subject to the consent of Cabinet. There were certain difficulties still to be overcome, said Mr Gillespie, as, in order to carry out the scheme it had become necessary ' to obtain a small area from the railway deparrtment but he thought those difficulties would be overcome. Further approval for the scheme on principle was voilced by Cr R. Jeffrey. Cr Chamberlain thought the department should lay down two new courts and recondition the old courts. The department was getting a good bargain in that it was, by the exchange, securing additional housing sites. Upon the motion of the mayor, seconded by Cr N. C. Davies, a resolution was carried that the meeting recommend to the council the acceptance in principle of the amended proposal subject to the department making a contribution towards the construction of the tennis courts in' line with that previously agreed upon, details of which were to be subsequently arranged. Planting ithe Reserve Further discussion related to the planting of the area’ of reserve at the rear of the railway housing settlement. The trees were ready to be planted out and the suggestion was, said Mr Jones, that the council cooperate with the department in the planting of the trees. It was now late for planting. Mr Jones thought that it was risky to plant now with the possibility of a dry summer which would mean disaster. The trees were to be planted on a bare hillside, not in a protected garden. He could not recommend planting now.

Cr H. P. Wylde pointed out that December was the driest month of the year in Paeroa and he concurred with Mr Jones both as to the wisdom of delaying the planting until May of next year. With the trees costing some hundreds of pounds, as stated by Mr Jones, it was certainly too risky to plant just now. The meeting resolved to accept the proposal to delay the planting of the trees.