GIFT OF BUSH

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11683, 22 November 1923, Page 5

GIFT OF BUSH

VISIT TO HAYWARD S

COUNCIL’S RESERVES COMMITTEE’S INSPECTION. CAN ROAD BE MADE? Members of the reserves committee of the City Council, together with the May,or (Mr R. A. Wright, M.P.). Sir John. Luke, and Mr W. H. Field, M-.Pt, paid a visit of inspection to-Hay-wards yesterday afternoon, and looked over tlie- beautiful piece of bush which Mr W_ H. George has offered, as a gift tot the city. DEPARTMENTAL OBJECTION. , The buislh is close to the Pahatanui road, but access from the road is so steep that it would be necessary, it is thought, to construct means of access somewhere alongside the stream further down the road. Mr George is also desirous of getting a road made through toi'the scoiiic reserve, but the road it is-desired to make would have to run under the railway, and the. Railway Department is not agreeable at present to the load being made, it is understood because; it may at a later date bq hecpssgry to.' divert "the railway from .the- existing, track. : ACCESS TO SCENIC RESERVE. Tt all; intents and purposes it is con?' dered that the scenic reserve, which is Grown land,’ is cut off from.' the public for want of access, although picnic parties have been able to enjoy pleasant times owing to Mr George having allowed them to cross Iris land. The only other mean® was by driving or jwadind through' the river, rarely, leqs than three feet deep, but the camping ground arid safe bathing on the other side hqs always been a great attraction. COMMITTEE IMPRESSED. On arrival at the scene the reserve*; committee were much impressed by the beauty, erf the. bush, and several expressed the opinion that there, was nothing prettier in the district. It was felt that it waa rather a long way from the railway station oir the'river, arid that if taken over some nearer approach would W- desirable. Whether the! committee would be able to influence the Railway Department is a: matter that hah yet to be considered', said. Mr Thompson, chairman-’ of tie committee, for although Mr George haa made-' what is practically an unconditional offer, they would feel bound *td- us®, what influence they, had with ’the department ’ if the, offer was accepted ' COST OF THE ROAD .

There is an alternative by building a bridge across the river, but then arises the question of the Oity Council spending money outside ite own area on pro - perty which does not-belong to the city. If the sanction could ■be obtained to running the- road under- the railway Mr George would even be prepared to boar the whole of the cost of the road-

[ Whether the reserves -committee can recommend the council to accept tl-.e gift with the implied conditions or otherwise has yet to be considered, and the financial aspect of the matter will have to Come before the finance committee. After the inspection was concluded Mr George entertained: the party, to afternoon tea, town, being readied between 5 and 6 o’ clock.