HOBSON BAY SCHEME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19809, 2 December 1927, Page 12

HOBSON BAY SCHEME.

PRESERVATION OF THE AREA. LARGE EXPENDITURE INVOLVED. LENGTHY TENURE REQUIRED. Tfie necessity for proceeding with the Hobson Bay preservation scheme was urged upon the Mayor, Mr. G. Baildon, yesterday, by a large deputation of business men and residents of the locality. Mr. E. N. Ormiston said little had been done to further the scheme since it was originally pvit forward. The difficulty previously had been in the matter oi tenure in the event of the City Council taking over tho area. The chairman of the Harbour Board had intimated last woek that the board would be willing to grant the City Council a tenure of from 35 to 40 years. Mr. L. P. Leary said tho Harbour Board hod pointed out that the whole question was one for the City Council to deal with The members of tho deputation agreed with the board. It was f<pr tho City Council to beautify the area. The deputation suggested that the council should approach the Harbour Board to obtain as long a lease at as low a rental as possible. A slightly amended scheme for the treatment of the area was presented by Mr. M. H. Wynyard. An objection to the original scheme, he said, had been in connection with anticipated pollution by storm-water drainage. His • suggestion was that the embankment should be brought to; high ground, giving a tidal inlet, and outlet up to the discharge from Newmarket Gully, where most of the storm-water came from. Any collecting drains round the present foreshore could bo allowed to discharge into such a tidal estuary.

For the suggested play area of 97 acres an embankment could be made along the sower pipe. There would be no need for filling. Collecting drains and flood gates could deal with local and surface water, and in the case of heavy rainfall a stand-by electric pump could be installed.

The Mayor said the work resolved itself largely into a matter of finance. An amount of £6OOO had been earmarked for the purpose, but it would evidently cost three times that sum. Ho , doubted whether the recreation area could be constructed without filling-in, but the question, with that of storm-water measures, would be considered by the engineering department. A longer tenure than 40 years would be required before the council would be willing to spend so much money. There was a danger that the council might have to give up its building as had happened with the yacht clubs in Freeman's Bay. The council appreciated the proposal, but it wished to be able to say it had the land for all time. '

Mr. Baildon assured the deputation he would place their proposals before the council, and that they would have serious consideration.