RECREATION RESERVE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LIX, Issue 6875, 13 March 1883, Page 5

RECREATION RESERVE.

A meeting of gentlemen interested in the obtaining of a reserve on the Fort HilU for the city was held yesterday afternoon at the Oity Council Chambers; present His Worship the Mayor (in the chair), Messrs F. Jones, Whitelaw, B. D. Thomas, W. Pratt, 0. Ever, J. P. Jameson, A. Ayers, Dobson, 0. P. Hulbert, W. B. Mitchell. D. Jtfeese, W. Montgomery, M.H.fi, H. W. Paoker, H. Thomson, M.H.E., J. Gapes, Perceral, Martindale, J. Holmes, M.H.&., J. Joyoe (Mayor of Sydenham), Bowman, the lion E. 0. J. Btevene, M.LO. The Chairman opened the business by stating that the objeofc of the meeting was to take steps for scouring a quarry reserve at Dyer's Pass for recreation purposes for the oity. If it was found that the site was too distant, the reserve, when acquired, might be exchanged for land nearer the oity. He had received an apology for non-attendance from Mr Wynn-Williams. He oonoluded by oalling on Mr F. Jones, who had brought the matter before the Selwyn County Council. Mr F. Jones spoke of the necessity of recreation grounds, and the suitability of a hilly site for dwellers on flat level country like that of Christchuroh. It w«j a pity that aotion in this direotion had not been taken long ago. There was a reserve, 261, containing about 200 acres, two miles from the foot of the hills. For some months attempts had been made by the Healhoote Boad Board and the Selwyn County Council to secure this reserve, but as yet without Bucoess. At the last meeting of the Selwyn County Council a resolution to apply to Uovernment for the reserve for recreation purposes had been agreed to, and were that supported by so influential a meeting as that then gathered, it would doubtless be successful. Were it found that the reserve was too distant, it oould be exchanged for a more suitable piece of land. He concluded by moving—" That, owing to the increase of the population of the oity and suburbs, the time has now arrived for an effort to be made to secure for the use of the publio for ever an open spaoo as a recreation ground, upon the spur of the Port Hills, near the foot of Colombo street." Mr Joyce (Mayor of Sydenham) seoonded , the resolution, wfeioh was carried unanimously. Mr A. Ayers moved—" That towards carry ing into effect the first resolution, every endeavour should now bo made to have the reserve No. 261 of ZOO acres on the Governor's Bay road and any other reserves in the neighbourhood vested in the Belwyn County Counoil or other Corporation, with power to exohange or tell the same, if desirable, for other land in the position indicated in the first resolution." Mr Formal suconded the motion.

Mr Holmes thought it desirable that the clause relating to exchanging the site should be expurged, as it jeopardised the suooess of the application to Government. Mr Montgomery supported the remarks made by Mr Holmes. The securing of the land was as much as could be got at present from the Government.

The meeting agreed to strike out the last clause of the resolution, and substituted for it " for the purpose of a publio reoreation reserve."

Tho Hon V. 0, J. Stevens pointed out that aa the only body named iu the resolution was the County Council, the re»erve, if granted, would be granted to the Council. The Chairman suggested trustees being appointed to represent the City Council, the Sydenham Borough, and the neighbouring districts.

Mr Gapes thought it would be sufficient to vest the reserve in the County Council. Mr Holmes did not think the itounty Council would spend money for a reoreation ground* He quite agreed with Mr Stevens, and suggested the vetting of the reserve in the City Council, tho Sydenham Borough Council, and the County Council. Mr J. P. Jameson supported Mr Holmes' suggestion. Ihe Hon B. C. J. Stevens suggested that the trustees should be the Chairman of the

County Council and the Mayors of Christohuroh and Sydenham, for the time being. Mr Hoi awe contended that the trustees would be unable to spend money. Mr Avers would accept the alteration suggested. Mr Beese advised the omission of reference to the County Council, who had nothing to do with it.

Mr Jones showed that the County Council had a great deal to do with it, ne they represented Lin wood and other town districts.

Mr Mitchell pointed ont that the Be!wyn County Council had power to spend money on recreation reserves.

Tho resolution, after tome further discussion, was carried, with an alteration suggesting the vesting of the rewire in the County Council, the Oity, and the Borough Council*. Mr Beeie moved—" That a Committee be appointed to obtain information at to the present reierre, and m to the rite, and to report upon the tame to an adjourned masting, to be held before calling a public meeting, and that the following be the Committee: Meure Buddenklau, Joyce, Pratt, Packer, Jones, and the mover." Mr Ayers seconded the motion. After discussion the resolution was withdrawn by Mr Brese, who moved, in lien of it —" That the Chairman of the County Council and the Mayors of Obrittohurch and Sydenham be requested to take the necessary action in the interim to secure the reserves named in the foregoing resolutions." Mr Ayers seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the meeting.