EASTBOURNE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8776, 4 July 1914, Page 9

EASTBOURNE

TRANS-HARBOUR RETREAT. MILD CLIMATE AND AGREEABLE SURROUNDINGS. Ono of tho most notable watering places in tho Dominion, and ono that is rapidly becoming more popular as a place of residence, is Eastbourne, which is situated on the eastern side of the Wellington harbour. It is comprised! principally of two of the. larger bays, known respectively as Rona Bay and Muritai. There is also an area, known in tho old days as 0-Kiwi-iti, but which has become merged with tho other two localities. It may be interesting to explain the meaning of these two Maori names. “Muritai” means beside the tide, while ‘.‘O-Kiwi-iti” is synonymous . with the land of the'little kiwi, which presupposes that in the early days tho kiwi Was a frequenter of those shores. This - seaside resort has for years attracted numerous’ trippers and holi-day-makers, but, to-day it is becoming established ns a residential locality. ■The charm of the climate and natural surroundings, together with improved means of communication, is appealing to heads of families ns a desirable . place, in which to make a home. Since the Eastbourne Borough Council acquired the ferry service, there have been signs, of a distinct increase in the number of permanent residents, and as a consequence building operations are proceeding to meet the demands The rentals of cottages at Eastbourne are moderate in the case of permanent tenants. While an ordinary cottage in the summer season will readily secure a rent of 30s per week, the same cottage can bo obtained all the year round for about 12s 6d per weekAt present, the ferry journey from Wellington to Eastbourne occupies thirty-five minutes, but it is. anticipated that within a short period the continued progress of tho borough will necessitate faster and more up-to-date ferry steamers plying'-con-stantly between Wellington and: this charming suburb. Tho municipal steamers run seven return trips each day-for six days, with the addition of a late boat on three nights a week. On Sunday, tho time-table provides for four return trips. Tho ordinary fare is sixpence each way, children half-price, but for regular 'passengers substantial reductions are made. The family annual ticket costs £l4, and this ticket includes all in a family, with the. exception of sons twenty-one years and! over, each of -whom pay an extra £3. A handy ticket is provided in the book of 1 concession tickets, which allows twenty-four single trips for 10.9, These tickets are transferable and have proved to, bo very popular. Specially reduced rates are ; provided for apprentices and school children attending tho various high schools in the city, although there is a well-conducted State school in the borough. The Borough Council has proved itself to be a very progressive body, and the future of this suburb is assured, for under the council's management the district promises to be provided with all the requirements of present-day life. There is a level area in the borough sufficient to ultimately carry a population of 10,000, while tho hilly land has possibilities for building sites capable of providing for another 1000 inhabitants. It is generally admitted that it is only a matter of time when the boundaries of the borough will be considerably extended to take in the whole of the residential area from the Petone boundary on tho north side to Robinson’s Bay on the south. This would mean the inclusion of Lowry- Bay, York Bay, and Day’s Bay. While the local authority is developing tho utility side of the district, it is not neglecting the aesthetic side, and in this is ably supported by the efforts of the Eastbourne Beautifying Society. The borough contains a fine bowling green and two tennis clubs, with courts at Muritai and Kona Bay. An important acquisition took place when the Day’s Bay grounds were purchased from the Wellington Steam Ferry Company, for tho use of the public. These grounds, comprising splendid recreation areas with extensive bush-clad hills, have for many years been ono of tho most popular resorts of the Wellington public. At the instigation of the Eastbourne Borough Council, on the initiative of its Mayor (Mr W. J. Organ), the Government, the Wellington City Council, and the Eastbourne Borough Council, aided by a number of private individuals, more particularly by Mrs M. A. Williams, contributed the necessary funds for the purchase of such a desirable property, thus assuring a recreation and scenic , resort for all time, not only to the citizens of Wellington and its suburbs* but also to j

the many visitors who have always shown an appreciation for the attractions of Day’s Bay and Williams Park, as it is now called. To persons desiring to possess their own homos, Eastbourne at present offers very good opportunities. Land is obtainable at a reasonable price, there having been no boom in this locality. Building is very little more expensive than in the city, and as already stated the ferry fares are fixed on a very reasonable scale. The rates are exceptionally low (twopcncehalfpenny in tho pound on unimproved value), and there is every prospect of improvements and public works being .carried out for the convenience Of residents without any appreciable increase in the rating. This is made possible by tho fact that the municipal ferry service is something more than self-supporting, and therefore becomes a source of revenue to assist in the general, development of the borough. . In addition to these grounds the Eastbourne Borough Council possesses a recreation ground of nearly five acres, and a bush reserve known as Muritai Park. The recreation ground is at present in the making, 'and with tho assistance of the local beautifying society promises to be a very attrac- • tive spot, lying as it does'alongside a splendid beach on the on© side, and within a few stops of Muritai Park on the other. Tho outlook from both these grounds is not the least of its assets. A splendid panoramic view is obtainable of the harbour from its entrance, showing the Kaikouras in the distance to the south, to tho reaches of the Hutt Valley on tho north. ' It will be of interest to the bowling fraternity to know that the local bowling club is constructing a now bowling green on what promises to be one of tho finest sites in or near Wellington. It is expected that tho grounds will bo completed and ready for, uso during the coming season. The grounds are situated in one of the most sheltered and picturesque spots in the district, and arc within three minutes’ walk of the Bona Bay wharf: Adjoining the Eastbourne Borough and under, its control is a lovely, hush reserve known as .the Eastbourne Domain. This domain covers over five hundred acres of New . Zealand native bush, which will compare favourably ■with any bush in the Dominion. Owing to the present difficulties, of access, this domain is not as, wellknown as it might be. However, tho Borough Council has in mind an’improvement which will bring this charming bush within easy reach of visitors. It is probable that a tunnel will be constructed through tho intervening hill for the dual purpose of providing for traffic and tho carrying of a water main to the borough.