TRAMWAY TO SEATOUN

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 5294, 4 June 1904, Page 7

TRAMWAY TO SEATOUN

OFFER BY MESSRS CRAWFORD BROTHERS. VIVE iIUNDEB ACRES FOB A USE OXTY COUNCIL CONSIDERING. For some time past correspondence has been piutsing between the Cuy Council ami AlObSiß A. and C. Cruwiord, of Miramar, with reference to a project for connecting Seatoun with the city by moans of an oioctrical tramway. As many of our roadurs aro aware, -Messrs Crawford were tho original proprietors of that extensive peuinsnbi eastward of tho city known as Miramar. From lime to time various syndicates have purchased portions of the area from Messrs Crawford, and those portions have again it ecu disposed of to a number of holders in small blocks. Consequently there is now considerable settlement over tho peninsula —notably at Boatoun a pretty seaside resort which is largely availed ot by city people as a place of residence in the summer months. Tho Messrs Crawford themselves aro the owners still of a block of 080 acres in all. Their oiler to the City Conned is to surrender about live hundred acres —to bo accurate, tho exact area is -I!>7 acres —on tho southern end of tho peninsula, provided tho Council will extend its electrical tramway service to Seatoun. The plan published with this article illustrates for tho reader tho exact locality of the land under offer. It occupies, as stated, tho southern end

of the peninsula, and it is mainly com- ; posed of hilly country. There is, however, about thirty acres of level land at present utilised as Chinese gardens, near tho golf .links. Probably some sixty acres iu addition is composed oi undulating, spur-likc laud. Tins portion i s excellently adapted tor iosidonees, and it is believed if the City Council decides to accept CraAyforcTs offer,- this land could bo reaauy leased for residential sites under terms such as are known as the ‘‘Glasgow lease ” from the manner m which tho Glasgow Corporation has similarly treated blocks under its jurisdiction, or it I could bo sold as freehold. Tho block offered by tho Messrs Crawford extends frohi tho golf-links to tho Seatoim side. On tho foreshore there exists a deposit of gravel which is known to be of considerable value. Indeed, from time to time 3lessrs Crawford have received offers to taka this deposit over by private syndicates who bolievod a considerable amount of money could bo made out of it. In the hands of the City Council, there is no doubt It could be turned to great advantage for city purposes. Tho hilly portion .could, with some expense in planting, bo made into a lino and extensive park, from which magnificent views of the Heads and across to the Kaikouras may bo obtained, 1 non there is the signal station to give additional interest and inducement, to climb the hill. In tact there is no doubt this locality might easily be converted into a very popular place of resort it laid out in a suitable way. . The tramway would run from ivilbirnio along the foreshore to Evans Bay and through the cutting at the Miramar jetty and across tho flat. 1 robably a tunnel would have to bo constructed to Ssatoun. The total distance would bo about four miles, and the cost about £2.5,000. . , On the plan we publish, the site of a proposed recreation ground is shown cn the left-hand side of the road from tho uniting tho, property of Miramar Limited, to tho hills. This block of forty-eight acres was some time ago offered to the City Council in perpetuity (or recreation purposes by the Miramar Limited syndicate, on condition that the City Council would build a tramway to it. Consideration of that proposal is at present in abeyance. Tho cost of the construction of such a line, it is understood, is considered by the Council to ho too groat to undertake in consideration of simply obtaining a recreation park. This offer of Messrs Crawford Bros, will revive interest in the Miramar project, because undoubtedly this recreation reserve would bo far superior to anything of the kind that Wellington possesses or may hope to possess within its own borders, and with a tram-line to its gates would unquestionably become very popular. With Messrs Crawford’s offer in view, from which tho Council would obtain an assured and regular income from tho leased lands, tho offer of Miramar Limited assumes a new aspect Seatoun, Karaka Bay and Miramar as seaside resorts or as places of residence possess this advantage—they are easily reached either by land or sea from tho city, and the people there, with a tramway service provided, would have always the alternative route and would not have to make a sea trip in bad weather. It is contended by supporters of tho project that when once the tram were built the whole peninsula would very soon become a largo and thriving suburb As is well known, the whole of the Miramar Bat is taken advantage of on Saturdays and holidays by many hundreds of devotees of football, hockey and kindred jports, fer which it is more suitable than any other ground in Wellington. Messrs Crawford would, of course, reap an advantage from the tramway in the shape of the increased value given to their remaining block of 188 acres, which is entirely level land ; hut tho ques. • tion for the City Council to consider is whether the advantage of tho free gift of

juch a large ansa of land, which can bo turned to good account as residential sites anti also a recreation ground anti part , will recoup the city for the mitlaj necessary in constructing tho tramway. Great interest is taken in tho matter by residents of Miramar and Seatoun. and it is hoped a satisfactory agreement will be arrived at before very long.

It is understood tho Mayor and members of the City Council were to have inspected tho block under oiler on Wednesday but on account of the boisterous weather it was thought advisable U» postpone the visit till a more favourable lime. -Vo doubt the Council will take the earliest opportunity ot seeing the property, and will give the whole scheme the fullest and most careful consideration.