THE MANUKAU FORESHORE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15233, 21 February 1913, Page 4

THE MANUKAU FORESHORE.

PROPOSED ESPLANADE^

BIG IMPROVEMENT SCHEME.

At the meeting of the Mount . Roskill Road Board last evening, the following letter was read •—','; I am instructed to ask your boaid if it ;vall consent to the board of the %ssiw Training College leasing allotment on the sea fronts at' Waikowhai, to which for the present there will be no access by road.—Yours, faithfully, H. E. Simmons, secretary."Mr. Bagley, chairman of the Road Board sa<d that the letter referred to themission property alongside the Waikowhai Park, and that a very big question had been opened up, in fact one of the most important during his many years on the board. He then explained the legal position in connection with the request, and suggested that tht. Wesley Training Board be asked to approve of a road at least 66ft wide being made along: the whole, of.. their property abutting on the Manukau, such rood to be either about or below high-water mark, and that all other owners of property along the foreshore .be-; tween Waikowhai and Onehunga be asked to fall similarly in line. The Auckland Harbour Board would shortly placed in possession of the large property known. as the "Manukau Harbour Endowment, and as this had an extensive sea frontage on the western side of the Wesleyan property and extending to Avondale the Harbour Board and the Avon dale Road Board should be requested to take steps in the same direction. Making the position clearer, Mr. Bagiey stated that his idea was to bring about a continuation of the esplanade at Onehunga; so that it would reach for mile 3 along the foreshore of the Manukau, and not only provide a great drive, bub also connect up Onehunga with Avondale along the waterfront. There should be a road or esplanade from Onehunga, such as ho had outlined, and the first section should be commenced at once from that end, and continued along to: the Waikowhai Park, a. stretch of about two, miles. This could be extended as circumstances permitted. He (the chairman)-had discussed the matter informally with Mr. John Rowe (Mayor of Onehunga), who informed him that he had suggested a similar . scheme himself, some • years ago, and that he would render all. the assistance he could to forward such a desirable move. Mr. Bagiey urged as another reason for prompt action', that with so much land near Waikowhai, eminently. suitable for residential purposes, it was probable that the trams, which must ere, long be extended through the district* would go out towards the park. ; '.."' • * i Messrs. George Winstone, senr., T. E, Hayr. E. J. Herd, and J. Haslett, warmly endorsed the nroposal as- outlined by Mr. Bagiey. Tlie'following resolution was adoDted * unanimously :—" That a committee of the Mount Roskill : Read Board, consisting of Messrs. G. Winstone, T. E. Hayr, E. J. Herd, J. Haslett and the chairman, be set ud to confer with the Wesley Training Board, the Mayor of Onehunga, and others interested as early as possible, to discuss the proposal to construct an esplanade from Onehunga to Waikowhai, "and to report at a special meeting of the Mount Roskill Road Board convened to deal with the same .within one month from date."