NEW BEACH RESERVE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18891, 13 December 1924, Page 12

NEW BEACH RESERVE.

A KOHIMARAMA PROJECT.

AREA AT FLYING SCHOOL BAY.

IDEAL WATERFRONT RESORT.

Steps are now being taken by the Tamaki Road Board to acquire a reserve for the benefit of the general public in Flying School Bay at Kohimarama. Some time ago the trustees of the Melanesian Mission set aside an area of approximately ten acres of the Church property for the purposes of a reserve. This area takes in the whole of the beach frontago from Selwyn Road, about 100 yards from the Kohimarama Wharf, to the boundary of the Orakei settlement, a distance of about half a mile. The trustees are at present subdividing the Mission property for residential purposes, and the reserve of ten acres has been set aside as part of the lay-out of the area. The Tamaki Road Board, however, in view of the fact that the front portion of the Mission property is the only flat piece of land close to the city adjoining a good beach, has come to the conclusion that the propor use of the beach cannot bo enjoyed by the public unless a substantial area of this land is secured, and has decided to acquire, under the Public Works Act, a further area of approximately 21 acres of the property. The Road Board has been endeavouring for some considerable time to acquire this property, and it had been hoped at one time that the Government, whose Orakei property adjoins, could see its way to assist in 'finding the purchase money. It was felt that as the object of securing the land now was purely to provide for the requirements of the Auckland City in the future, and that a.s such a reserve would bo used principally by the city residents, it was only fair that the city should assist in some way. The board has now been given definitely to understand, however, that neither the Government nor the city is prepared to assist in the matter, and the time having arrived when the land must either be taken for reserve purnoses, or else subdivided and built on and so lost to the public for all time, the Road Board feels that its only alternative is to ask the ratepayers to assume the whole of the responsibility. Valuations have been made, and a loan proposal will be placed before the ratepayers early in February next for a sum of £20,000, which amount, according to the valuations obtained, will provide sufficient money, to pay for the land as well as a substantial sum for laying out the grounds, erection of dressing pavilions, and other improvements. While it may be suggested by the ratepayers of the Tamaki district that the scheme is somewhat extravagant, members of the board point out that action must be taken now or not at all, and that if the loan is authorised the full reserve of 31 acres will be of tho utmost benefit not only to residents but to the citizens of Auckland in the future, when the wholo of tho areas in the vicinity are thickly populated, as they must inevitably be. The balance of the block, comprising approximately 160 acres, is now being subdivided, and immediately the roads are completed the increase in value of the land alone, apart from the question of buildings, which undoubtedly will shortly be erected, will return very nearly sufficient in increased rates to pay interest and sinking fund on the cost of the reserve.

The land is bounded by the sea on the west, by the Orakei block on the south, by the sewer line and brow of the hill to Selwyn Road on the east, and by Selwvn Road on the north.