NEW PLAYING-FIELD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19507, 10 December 1926, Page 16

NEW PLAYING-FIELD.

THE COX'S CREEK INLET. GRADUAL RECLAMATION. COUNCIL ADOPTS PROPOSAL. A report on a proposal to fill in portion of the Cox's Creek inlet inside the roadway for the purpose. of forming a playing-field was submitted to tho Auckland City Council last evening by the city engineer, Mr. W. ,E. Bush. ■ In view of the cost of undertaking the work, the council decided that the area should be gradually reclaimed as filling became available.

The engineer said the only area likely to be suitable for football or cricket grounds was that immediately to* the south-west of West End Road. The council was now constructing a causeway between West End Road and Regina Street, and this would form the northeast boundary of the proposed ground, which would have an area of 12* acres. The construction of the necessary culverts, overflow pipes and an open channel to take the water of the creek would cost £8450. If the filling were done as material became available, this would cost £6250, but if material were , purchased so that the work could be done at once the cost would be £15,000. In addition, top-soil would be - required, costing at least £2OOO. The total cost, therefore, for reclaiming tho 12Jr acres would vary from £16,700 to £25,450, or from £I4OO to £2OOO an acre.

The portion of the inlet to the northeast of the causeway did not lend itself readily to the ' laying-out of sports grounds, and if its reclamation were attempted it should bo done gradually. The area to the north-west of Richmond Road should be culverted and used as a convenient tip for rubbish and dry earth and thus ultimately be converted into a level ground. The culvert would cost £5160 and 3| acres of land would be made. "Looked at from an economical standpoint," the engineer said, "the whole area is a very expensive one to deal with for the purposes of a recreation ground and, if the council required playinggrounds quickly, it would be .far -less costly to buy suitable land for the purpose. The gradual reclamation of this area, would undoubtedly bo an improvement to. the whole district and as such the carrying out of the scheme by gradual stages would, I consider, be justified." The recommendation of the Works Committee that the area should be gradually reclaimed as filling could be obtained was adopted.