OPEN COLUMN.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4332, 16 April 1901, Page 3

OPEN COLUMN.

MIRAMAR, A CORPORATION WHITE itiAIHHAiM. “Vigilant” writes:—As the City Corporation apparently persists in having question of the acquisition ol Miramar voted upon, I trust the ratepayers will wake up before it’s too late, and give such u solid vote against this proposal as will show those Councillors who favour the proposal they were not elected! to go into land speculations for the ratepayers. In the firs; place, it should! he remembered that Wellington City comprises an area. ol about 1100 acres, and we are asked tc embark in establishing a rival town of at least equal size; for if there be not a town there, then it must become a veritable white elephant in the hands ol the City Councillors. The supporters of this scheme invite? the public to go and see it for themselves. I wish they would, or could, on any day .other than the sunshiny days like those we had during the polo games; but how many such fine days do we experience in Wellington throughout any year? Certainly not one month in_ th e aggregate. I was recently driving out lo Scatoun, there being a moderate northerly in the city; but when nearing the cutting at the entrance to Miramar, there was a little hurricane blowing. So it was all the way across the whole flat and on the hills, so much so that I said to my companion. “ I wish Mayor Aitken and hi; friends were hero now; they would most likely change theii opinion as to the suitableness of this place, either for recreation or settlement.” Talk of settlement on these bleak, wind-swept bills. It certainly offers no inducement to the working man, for, mark you, the level land would have to be kept for recreation grounds, parks, etc., and there only remain the rugged barren hills of 100 C acres to recoup the City Council the quarter of a million of rates that would bo absorbed before it could offer any inducement (if then) for settlement.. And if no settlement will take place will Mayor Aitken become squatter, or shcepfarmer, to- utilise this property for the Council? and won’t the local Road Board delight, in levying a still rate on Miramar when the city -'becomes its ratepayer P Why’, in addition to levying a city rate for the interest, on the capital, a 3d rate will be required to pay rates and land tax to the local body for this’s white elephant; and won’t it be also on the unimproved value with : a vengeance ? To secure 500 acres of suitable recreation ground in a suitable'place for the citizens of all classes would, indeed, be a most commendable \ step; but tiio class, wo profess to cater for—the working classes and artisans—how many of them, and how often will they visit it P Not 5 per cent, will do so four times a year; for whethei the gauntlet has to be run, on a ferry boat or an oJecHdo tram, in moderately bad weather, it is anything but pleasure. I enclose my card, and should the city be foolish enough to allow itself to be saddled with this incubus, in ten years’ time, should I live so long, I will remind! you of my views herein expressed, and as I am certain we shall then be groaning under the debt created for this folly, there will be few found to admit the share they took in foisting it upon us. But I have more confidence in the judgment of citizens generally, and feel they will rise to the occasion, and not allow interested people to “ unload ” these bleak hills on the city rates; for. bear in mind, al! the best sites, even of the hills, are already sold to speculators, and all these owners and their friends, as well as the vendors, of Miramar, are now trying to “ boom ” the place. I conclude' by warning ratepayers, if they wish .to avoid having their rates doubled, to vot 0 against this absurd proposal, and! also to oppose any’ supporter of it obtaining a seat in the City Council at the elections now about to take