THE PROPOSED ESPLANADE AT SUMNER.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIV, Issue 13892, 28 October 1905, Page 5

THE PROPOSED ESPLANADE AT SUMNER.

OUTSIDE AID REQUIRED: The proposal to construct an esp!an« ade at Sumner was discussed at a meeting of Sumner ratepayers at th© Parish Hall last night. There was a fair attendance. , The Mayor of Sumner (Mr F. Pratt) who presided, briefly introduced th© subject, -and stated that it had been found that a two-chain esplanade would slightly overlap on to th© area to which th© Harbour Board laid claim as a recreation reserve. H© had reason for saying, however, that the Board would not oppose the ratepayers in an endeavour to have an alteration in th© Act, by which th© Council could have Control of th© strip of ian3 claimed by th© Board. A meeting had been called of ratepayers whose properties fronted on the beach, and they had agreed to contribute £8 10s a chain. As there were about sixty-on© chains th© amount would reach slightly over £600; but h© thought that the amount of cash to fa© received from these ratepayers would bo nearly £7OO. A deputation of local members of Parliament had waited on tho Minister of Public Works, urging that a substantial grant towards th© object should be given by the Government. He (Mr Pratt) had received a letter in reply which stated that the Government could nob make a grant, but that if the Council wished te raise a loan under th© Loans to Local Bodies Act, th© money would be obtainable at 3J per cent, which, extending over a period of forty years, would provide a sinking fund. Mr Crawford, engineer to the Board, had estimated the cost of a two-chain esplanade at £BO4I. CounciDor Barr saM that the sea wall, which it was proposed should be just above high spring tide, woe of the greatest importance. The height of this rubble wall from the road inside would be Bft 31 n. and from the sand on the sea-front 6ft 2in, and very strong winds' would he required to blow sand Over on to the road. The width of the wall at the top would be 2ft, widening out to 6ft at the abutment. It was proposed that th© esplanade should be two chains wide except at the jetty end, where it would narrow to on© chain. On the side .of the sea-wall it was proposed to put a 12fb sidewalk, and -on th© other side th© ordinary sidewalk would be constructed. It was proposed to plant a (belt of trees down the oentre of the road, which would be useful for the' purpose of dividing th© traffic. Carts would use one side and th© other side would be used as a promenade. The construction of the esplanade would boom the town and provide funds for the canwing cut of the more necessary, works. He appealed for a broad-minded - view of tbo question. Sumner residents did not own the place. It was held_ in , trust, and should be made as attractive as possible. The money could be borrowed, and would impose a rate of only Jd in tho £ on the unimproved value*. The Mayor said that he wished to pay a warm tribute to the work of Mr G. Laurenson in furthering the scheme. In reply to Councillor Johnston the chairman said that the estimate provided for a metalled read with gritted footpaths. A great number of questions were put and answered.

Mr T. Wallace moved —“ That this meeting approves of the action of the Council in bringing forward the -project for the formation of an esplanade, and urge® the Council to carry the matter to a successful issue, and is of opinion that the Council should' endeavour to raise money from outside sources prior to calling a meeting of .ratepayers to deal with the question of raising a loan.” This was seconded by Mr Dalston, and carried.