CAMPBELL'S POINT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15513, 21 January 1914, Page 11

CAMPBELL'S POINT.

HARBOUR BOARD'S PROJECT.

MAYOR'S FURTHER STATEMENT.

READY FOR A CONFERENCE.

A further statement was made bv the Mayor (Mr. C. J. Parr) yesterday 'in reference to the controversy regarding Campbell's Point and tho Harbour Board's suggestions concerning the formation of a roadway in that locality. Mr. Parr said he was glad to find that there was no support given in the columns of the Herald to the proposal to cut down five acres of Campbell's Point to be tipped into a tide deflector or reclamation. Other local bodies would recognise that the City Council had a paramount duty to the electors to preserve from spoliation the breathing places and lungs of the city. " Commercialism is nowadays the ruling motive." tho Mayor proceeded, 'and in. this utilitarian age many things have to be sacrificed to it. I hope, however, the time is far distant when parks such as Campbell's Point and Point Erin, will be dug out and levelled into the sea in order to make cheap soil. It is not much use the City Council paying high prices to obtain seaside .parks for the people if this is to be their fate. One can sometimes pay too big a price, even for reclamations and tide deflectors, useful as they no doubt are. As to the other question which the Herald considers of paramount importance, namely, the new road from Quay Street to Parnell, along the waterfront, there need not be much difference of opinion about this projet. I have already pointed out that this new road can quite easily be taken round the end of the point, without sacrificing the park, and this would make a much more picturesque boulevard of it.

"Mr. Gunson informed me that he could not promise this new road for Parnell within 20 years," Mr. Parr added. " But if the Harbour Board is really anxious to settle the question of the new road now and at once, there will bo no difficulty about it. The City Council will help on the new road all it can, but it is not prepared to sacrifice Campbell's Point. " I may correct one suggestion in this morning's issue. The inference from some remarks in the lending columns is that the Mayor will not consent to a conference or discuss matters at all; that he is blocking the esplanade. This is quite wrong. I have not been asked for a further conference. lam prepared at all times to discuss the question of the new road, or any other question with the board. If the Harbour Board will accept as the basis of fresh discussion the verv proper condition suggested by the Herald, that the Harbour Board scheme should be carried through, so as 'not to destroy Campbell's Point,' they can have a conference with me to-morrow, and I shall be prepared to meet the board in the most friendly spirit. The one essential thing is that this beautiful reserve shall not be destroyed."