PARK FOR THE PEOPLE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10126, 8 May 1896, Page 5

PARK FOR THE PEOPLE.

FREEMAN'S BAY RECLAMATION. At the City Council meeting lust night the proposal to secure Freeman's Bay and transform it into a recreation ground for the public of Auckland again came up for discussion, when Mr. W. Thome moved the following motion in accordance with notice: "That it be an instruction to the Legal Committee of this council to negotiate with tho Harbour Board for the purchase of Freeman's B»y Reclamation tor a recreation ground, in tarms ot the Board's resolution passed at a meeting held on 30th March last, and report result to the council tor their approval or otherwise." , In doing so, lie said the question had been pretty well threshed out already. Tho reclamation, .with the exception of a road on the seaward side, would belong to the city, and the road would belong to the Harbour Board, which would give the latter tho right to reclaim further to sea if they chose to. The Couucil members would have to look to the fact, however, that it would be many years before the reclamation would go seaward, and if it should, by that time the reserve would be so valuable that the people of Auckland would be thankful to them (the present members) for gutting it. Any arrangements made now, he said, would only be tentative. After a conference between their own committee and the Harbour Board, the result would lie submitted again to the Council for approval, and then it would have to go before tho public for its decision. There could be no doubt, he submitted, of tho need of audi a recreation ground, and it would never do to let this, the last piece.of ground, slip out of their hands. Some yeats ago the Council lost the opportunity of securing the Surrey Hills, and he hoped that would not occur in the present iustauce. Objection had been taken lie know to the proposed outlay when the water supply and drainage wanted looking into. As for the drainage he thought tho dirty habits of the people about their houses had a deal to do with that, and as for the water supply that could be got lit any time and it was only a matter of paying for it, but the site in question could only ho secured once. Mr. Baume seconded. It had been reported that tho people of his ward (the East) were prejudiced against the proposal, but those he had spoken to were ready to pay their contribution towards it, and as the ward member he should be glad to support the motion.

Mr. Garratt was sorry to again be in opposition, but ho did not chink the Harbour Board was anxious to part with the plaoo as was evidenced by the inability to get a quorum at the Into conference. Then again there was the question of expense, which he estimated would bo some £40,000, and from the position of the ground lie felt it could never bo a credit to the city as a recreation reserve, and he suggested that if the Council got a recreation spot it should be in a suitable situation.

Mr. Farrell had gone into the thing practically, and based his calculations upon reliablo information, and had come to the conclusion that the cost would be about £25,000, which would leave the ground terraced, and with a splendid pavilion. Regarding tho Harbour Board's riparian rights, lie did not look upon that as a serious matter. He hoped, too, consider.tiou would be given to the petition of 4000 wishing for tho reorea'.ion, In Freeman's .Bay itself Mr. Farrell had seen waifs stick up a kerosene tin and endeavour to play cricket, but they had been "chivied" by tho police, and he felt it behoved the Council to make some provision for these same waifs. Mr. Hewsou could not support the idea, and would move, " That for the present the Council do not take into consideration the purchasing of Freeman's Bay." He criticised the fact that at the late conference on the subject some of tho Council's delegates sat in a dual capacity as members of both bodies. Ho did not think that 'the area to be gained was anything like commensurate with tho proposed price, and he could not fall in with the motion at all. Tho Mayor explained the proceedings at the meeting referred to by the last speaker, and said nothing irregular had been done. At a later stage Hi;; Worship said the proceedings would not bind the Council in any way if Mr. Thome's motion were passed, and he would be in favour of it himself.

Mr. Warren said he would support Mr. Howßon's amendment.

Mr. Courtney favoured the proposal, and asked what had made Paris so famous and fltioh a resort for tourists but her public parks and boulevards ?

Mr, Glover did not like to see any ward jealousy shown, and made a strong appeal for a public recreation ground. He was sure that the names of the supporters would bo written in gold in tho days of posterity. Mr. Cairns would vote for tho motion, but thought so much talk about it a waste of time.

Mr. Patterson ventured to say that the thing was a luxury, and he could not see the force of going in for luxuries when there was more needful work to 'm done. Mr. Tronwith also thought tho time inopportune. Mr. Howson's ainondment was then put and lost by six to nine. Mr. Trenwith moved, " That the question be deferred until the Council has considered what moneys will bo required for other purposes," but this was also lost. Mr, Hewson objeoted to members sitting in a dual capacity a3 members of the Legal Committee or the Council, and as members of the Harbour Board, and moved, "That the question be referred to a special committee," but withdrew his motion at the request of several members. , The original motion was ♦*«« put and carried by ten to four.