GRAVEL PIT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 9, 9 December 1936, Page 11

GRAVEL PIT

TERRACE END’S PROBLEM. STEPS FOR BEAUTIFICATION. Maintaining that, in its present state, it was retarding the development of that district, the Terrace End Progressive Association, last evening, decided to press farther for the acquisition of the railway gravel pit so that beautifying work and planting activities could be undertaken. Advice was received from the City Council that it was taking no steps regarding the acquisition of the gravel pit owing to the expense involved, the conditions of sale submitted by the Railway Department being unacceptable. The offer made by the Railway Department to the council was to sell the southern portion of the pit for £lO on condition that the department retained tho* right to lay sidings on this land for the purpose of access to the working area. It would not consider giving up the northern portion of the pit unless the City Council provided, at its own cost, another equivalent pit within a reasonable distance of Palmerston North. The new pit would require to be opened up ready for use, with sidings, so that the department would not bo involved in any expense. “1 think it is a pity that the City Council has turned down the request, which was a most reasonable one.” commented the chairman (Mr F. J. Oakley). lie considered that every effort should be made to acquire the pit. It offered splendid possibilities for transformation and beautification. Mr J. A. Nash said the area certainly needed planting to hide the eyesore it created. The chairman said the construction of a children’s playing area there had been advocated, but no steps could be taken in that direction unless there was security of tenure. There were about ten acres which, if the City Council made the purchase, could bo taken over at a peppercorn rental. Comment was made by Mr R. Cousins that the pit was a disgrace to Terraco End.

The chairman said that little progress could be made by the suburb 1111ttil the pit was improved. Authority had been received lor the planting of the banks. Mr T- W. Henderson said some inquiry might be made concerning the cost of a suitable area to exchange for that possessed by the department. It was decided to urge the council to purchase, in the meantime, the southern portion of the pit, investigate the possibilities of exchanging land for the remainder, and proceed with the planting of trees along the bank. ARTIFICIAL LAKE PROPOSAL. Stating that Palmerston North was well-equipped for every form of sport in a letter placed before the association, advanced the suggestion that the pit, which lies between Fitzroy Street and the Napier Road railway crossing, could be utilised for the creation of an attractive artificial lake. The letter had been forwarded to the Palmerston North 50,000 Club which, considering it was unable to do anything in the matter, had passed it on to the association. In putting forward the proposal, Mr Bendall stated that the formation work would be useful and revenue-producing. The lake could be utilised as an auxiliary water supply in the event of a break-down in the system. Planted with trees, the banks' could be illuminated at night. Boats or gondolas could be provided for hire, and jetties, with tea-rooms and facilities for bands, could add to the attractions of such a feature. It was decided to thank Mr Bendall for his suggestion, but to defer action, informing him that negotiations were still in progress for the acquisition of the i>it.