THE COLONIST. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1912. THE MAITAI QUESTION.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13567, 7 November 1912, Page 4

THE COLONIST. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1912. THE MAITAI QUESTION.

It is to bo regretted that the project to acquire for tho uso of the public a small portion of the Maitai estate is being allowed to hang fire. It is now a long time since tho necessity for the step arose, and the movement was set on foot with every prospect of immediate success. Most of the preliminary steps necessary to acquisition under the Public Works Act were taken; surveys and valuations were made, and. thanks .to the friendly co-operation of tho Government tho most difficult question, that of financing tho purchase,, was determined up to an amount that should permit the acquisition of, the. small total area along the river bank to which it is most desirable the public should have access. It is to be feared that if there is much further delay the progress thus made in the beginning of the movement will bo to a large extent lost; We had every hope that the public would j during the present summer have been able to enjoy a portion at least of the privileges in the Maitai Valley that had been theirs for generations, and we fail to see that there is any valid reason why that expectation should not havo been realised. The longer definite action is delayed tho more are the prospects of the city over securing a pleasure resort in the Maitai Valley prejudiced. This evidently was tho view of the City Council, which has throughout had the matter in hand, when it recently negatived a proposal that tho project be. dropped, owing to tho possibility of a prohibitive compensation being required and referred it to committee of the whole Council for further consideration. As a result of that consideration a subcommittee interviewed the owner of the estate, who declined to entertain, the idea of a voluntary sale. The Chamber of Commerce then suggested to the Council that, as the amount of compensation could not bo ascertained before the land is acquired, only a small- area be taken in the first instance, and then a further area lrt/..'i- on if circumstance! warrant it. luo Chamber recommended tliat tho necessary steps be taken under the Public Works Act to acquire the following two areas on that understanding : (a) Parts of sections 53 and 54 between the road and the river, together with one half of tho riverbed adjoining this area. Xot including the riverbed, tho area of part 53 is 4 acres 2 roods 15 perches, and that of part 54 is 1 acre 3 roods 24 porches. Including tho river-1 bed, tho area, would tkercforo bo about ' eight and a half acres. ' (b) A strip half a chain wido along tho left (eastern) , bank of the river from the cart bridge to a point about two chains below tho ' bend of the river, at Dennc's Holo.

thence a chain wido to a point two chains above the bond; also half the riverbed adjoining this strip. Tho half of tho rivorbed adjoining tho road on tho western bank is already public 3110----•porty. Tho approximate area of this piece, including tho riverbed, is one aero and a half. . Tho total area of (a) and (b) including the riverbed, would therefore be about ten acros. Tho. Chamber pointed out that Dennc's Holo could be made into a good bathing place, while the other area could bo made into a fino ground for picnicking purposes. Tho Council's reply to these representations was that if the .Chamber was prepared to indemnify the .Council against expendituro in compensation beyond availablo ways and means, it would take action. The Chamber is naturally dis--1 appointed at this response, and is again urging tho Council to take definite "action in tho direction of acquiring the.

areas specified. Should tho funds available not prove sufficient wo have no doubt that the deficiency would be readily made good, either by a loan sanctioned by the ratepayers or by public subscription. There is little reason, however, to anticipate that tho necessity would arise. The position at present as regards finances is that the Council has an allocation of £300 on its estimates for the purpose, and the Government promised-a subsidy of pound for pound up to £700. " This promise there is overy

reason to believe the present Administration will redeem. Therefore, without any further provision, a sum of £600 may bo considered available with which to effect the purchaso, compulsorily or otherwise, an amount which should be ample to cover the compensation and incidental expenses. The area which it is now proposed to acquiro represents but a small portion of that originally contemplated, having been cut down to tho minimum to bring the expense within the ways and means in sight. It still includes the portions it is most necessary and desirable should bo available for public use, those the loss of which is most keenly felt. It is to be hoped that at its meeting to-morrow night tho Council will reconsider its attitude on tho matter, and authorise the further steps necessary to effect the purchase on tho lines indicated, failing the possibility of an agreement being reached with tho owner of the estate.