LOVELY FERNS AND TREES

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12195, 21 July 1925, Page 7

LOVELY FERNS AND TREES

WADESTOWN’S BEAUTY SPOT RESIDENTS WANT IT AS RESERVE PETITION TO CITY COUNCIL Wadestown residents are anxious to preserve to the district as a reserve and play area the prettv b»sin off Sefton street where tennis is now played. It abounds in native bush, and it is claimed that it is the only piece of ground in Wadestown which is protected from the wind, and which will serve the residents. A deputation of ladies and gentlemen, representing residents of Wadestown and Highland Park, waited upon the reserves committee yesterday to press their claims. AN URGENT REQUIREMENT Mr C. A. L. Treadwell claimed to> be speaking for the whole of the residents, and said this was the only level piece of ground suitable for a reserve for women and children, and for tennis, the only spot with native bush suitable for a natural reserve. The land had been seized by a syndicate for the pur. pose of cutting it up into small sections, in which case the beautiful trees, ferns, and bush would be lost. They wished the council to take the sections facing Sefton street, which would make two tennis courts and a children’s play area which could be approached in safety. If the land was acquired it would preserve the two courts now in existence. There was only a drain sufficient to carry off the surface water, and to build upon it woujd entail expensive drainage work. There was not a suitable reserve in Wadestown within coo-Ce, Anderson Park being the nearest, for Izard Park could only he reached l hy the road through Wilton’s Bush. It was impossible for women to push a perambulator about Wadestown, for it ruined their health. One of the courts on the area was a concrete one, the other being iu the basin. If the council would aoquire the site the tennis club would give £l5O to make the second court in concrete or asphalt as the ' engineer thought fit, and would pay a suitable rent. The present membership of the club was 85. but would increase to 100 with two courts. It would be a sin to cut down those lovely trees, and allow such a beauty spot to be turned into building sections. THE QUESTION OF PRICE In reply to questions, Mr Treadwell said the area was about 1$ acres. It wouldl not exclude the residents by making two tennis courts, as there would bs plenty of' room for children and others. It wae the only spot in Wadestown suitable for the purpose. An, exorbitant price had been asked 1 for the ground, but he* thought a reasonable price would be from . £BOOO to £4OOO. The chairman. Councillor Thompson, agreed that every district should have play areas, especially for women and children. ■ The matter would hare to come before the finance committee, as the estimates were being prepared, and they would hare to provide the money either in the estimates or hy loan if they decided to aoquire it. The committee w.ould give .the matter earnest consideration, although it could not promise anything. . Mr Treadwell, said practically all the residents had signed a petition in the matter, and this had been presented to the Mayor.