CENTENNIAL PARK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23112, 10 August 1938, Page 16

CENTENNIAL PARK

WAITAKERE PEOPOSAL LAUNCHING OF PROJECT SPECIAL COMMITTEE FORMED The creation of a national park in the Waitakeres as the chief centennial memorial for the city and province of Auckland was advocated by. speakers at a meeting held in the University College hall last night. Subsequently it was decided to form an organisation, to be known as the Waitakere National Centennial Park Citizens' Committee, to further the project. There was a fair attendance, over which Mr. E. Earle Vaile presided. The cost of acquiring land to carry out the proposal was £30,000, it was stated. To pre vide this sum the following allocations were suggested:—Government, £8000; local bodies, £11,000; general public, £II,OOO. Support for Scheme Telegrams of support were read from the Minister of Justice, the Hon. H. G. I». Mason, and the Hon. B. Martin, M.L.C. The Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry, sent a message stating that the project for a Waitakere National Park was a matter that should be considered by the centennial organisation. There was strong support for the proposal to make the Waitakere Park the chief centennial memorial, Mr. Vail 9 said. It would be dignified and noble and there could be nothing'better. Although the proposal had been before the public for some time, it was unfortunate that so far there had been no result. Mr. Yaile added that the Government would spend £150,000 on the centennial. If £30,000 came to Auckland some of the money could be used for the park project and the balance could bo found by local bodies and the general public. A great deal of the land would be valuable to the City Council for the conservation of water. A Great Heritage Mr. J. B. Paterson said the Waitakeres constituted one of the most beautiful areas in and around the city and would be a great heritage to hand down to posterity. The value of the Waitakere area from the botanical point of view was stressed by Mr. T. L. Lancaster, lecturer in botany at Auckland University College, who associated himself with the project. The region should bo preserved as nearly as possible in its natural state for the future of the city. The chairman of the Auckland Education Board, Mr. T. U. Wells, said that from an educational point of view he did not know of any finer project. It was derided to form a committee to further the scheme. Mr. Vaile was elected president and n large general committee was appointed.