PLAYING GROUND WANTED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15097, 13 September 1912, Page 9

PLAYING GROUND WANTED.

TWO COUNCILS TAKE ACTION

BIRKENHEAD AND NORTHCOTE.

With tho steady progress of the Birkenhead and Nor the oto districts tho necessity for a recreation ground to accommodate tlio various sports clubs has bccomo more acutely felt each Reason. ' A stage Ims now arrived, however, when it is conceded by all concerned that the matter cannot longer bo delayed.

A conference between the Birkenhead and Northcote Borough Councils was therefore held on Wednesday night to deal with the question, at which thero were present: Messrs. Win. Wallace (Mayor), C. E. Campbell, F. M. King, J. W. Court, J. Maginncss, James P. MoPliail, and A. L. White (town clerk), representing the Birkenhead Council; and Messrs. Georgo Flaser (Mayor), B. Van Veen, J. B. Tonar, Arthur Greenslado, James T. Fearnley, W. S. Daniel, and A. Ernest Greenslado (town clerk), representing tlio Northcoto Council. Mr. Georgo Fraser (Mayor of Northcoto) occupied the chair. 1

It was pointed out that tho Auckland Harbour Board some years ago had granted to tho Birkenhead borough for recreation purposes all that tidal area to tho north of the Birkenhead-Northcote bridge, tho Empowering Act containing a proviso conferring tlio right upon the Northcoto district to becomo an equal partner in tho reserve within five years of the formation of the borough upon payment to tho Birkenhead Council of half the expenses incurred to date. These conditions tho Northcoto Council had already observed, so. that practically the only questions for the joint councils to cope with were those of ways and means, and the best method to adopt to expeditiously reclaim the area. No trouble is anticipated with regard to extinguishing riparian rights, the principal adjacent property-owner (Mr. Thomas S. Wallace) not only undertaking to voluntarily surrender nil his rights in this connection, but, also donating tho sum of £50' towards tho work of filling-in tlio reserve. Tho whole question was most enthusiastically taken up by tho joint councils, . several members making donations. It ivas stated that several promises of donations had been received from residents of both districts, and it is confidently anticipated that tho various recreation clubs concerned will contribute and co-operate in every possible way. ■ It was also decided to purchase an additional elevated area adjoining, comprising over four acres, studded with beautiful nativo bush and ferns, and providing a natural grandstand overlooking tho recreation reserve. Including this area and Mr. Wallace's property adjoining, half-a-mile of water frontage rights will thus bo accounted for. Messrs. D. A. Gray and T. S. Wallace havo jointly contributed £2o towards tho purchase of this property. Messrs. Wallace and Gray were thanked for their generous donations, and subscription lists were opened; whilst the Mayors of Birkenhead and Northoote z together with Mr. Alex. Keyes (the representative of the districts on tho Harbour Board) were appointed a committee to take all steps necessary to further tho project, and also to endeavour to make provision for a boat harbour in Little Shoal Bay, in conjunction with the work of reclaiming the reserve.