USE OF PUBLIC DOMAINS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19190, 2 December 1925, Page 12

USE OF PUBLIC DOMAINS.

When confronted with the condition of certain public reserves on the northern side of the harbour, the Minister for Lands said that Auckland seemed to have a most haphazard way of handling its domains. The observations were altogether too true to be pleasant. Devonport and Takapuna are not peculiar in this respect. Other examples in which reserves seem to have been regarded as endowments can be found else where. The urban area of Auckland is fairly well provided with open spaces, but care has not always been taken to preserve beauty spots and permanent landmarks. Mount Albert is the crying instance. Apart from that, it is a fact that Auckland, using the name in its widest sense, has not at all times been sufficiently alert in preserving from alienation, either temporary or permanent, land never intended to be used save by citizens for health and recreation. Cricketers and footballers clamouring for playing fields do not find their needs adequately met.- There is a pitiful dearth of public tennis courts. Auckland has no municipal golf links, though Wellington, much less favoured in natural facilities, has one. These things go beyond the defects of control which Mr. McLeod discovered, but they can be traced to the same origin, lack of method or lack of vision in dealing with recreation reserves, actual or potential. It is no use the public blaming councils or boards. If public opinion had been, and were now, sufficiently strong, alienation would not have been allowed, or permitted to continue. There is need for its expression in coherent and forceful fashion, so that reproaches such as those the Minister uttered may no longer be applicable to the reserves and domains of Auckland.