ANOTHER PARK.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 November 1925, Page 10

ANOTHER PARK.

PROPOSAL FOR FITZROY. AREA AT THE SEASIDE. SCHEME TO LAY OUT GROUND. Fitzroy is to have a seaside park. A decision to proceed with the scheme was reached at a meeting of Fitzroy residents last night, and a strong committee was set up to carry on the work oi development. The New Plymouth Harbour Board are to be approached for permission to occupy and control approximately 13 acres of the foreshore at present held by the board. Mr. L. A. Nolan presided, and Mr. C. E. Bellringer, M.P. (chairman of the Harbour Board) and Mr. ,T. S. Connett (chairman of the board’s reserves committee) were present. Mr. L. Richards outlined the negotiations ‘whibh had transpired between the Fitzroy Seaside Committee and the Harbour Board in the past in regard to the committee obtaining a tenure ,of 41 acres of a Harbour Board reserve for the purpose of laying out a park. No finality had been reached, and in September last the board advited that a grant of a lease could not be given, nor were the board agreeable to set aside any portion of the reserve as a public park at the present time. They were, however, prepared to grant to an aproved committee occupation of such an area on the same terms as the Ngamotu Society have, that is, occupation from time to time and during the board's pleasure. It was this offer that- the meeting had to consider, said Mr. Richards. The private committee which had been carrying on in the past had now really gone out of existence, but there were certain liabilities to be met. There was a debit balance of £6 13s 7d. The commil tee had not been idle, and considerable expense was incurred in the erection of bathing sheds and other conveniences on the reserve. THE BOARD’S OFFER. The whole of the reserve*, owned by the board, some 15 acres, was property which had been invested in the board as a harbour endowment, said Mr. Bellringer, and therefore no permanent title could be given to it. The board, however, were willing to let the committee have the use of the ground under a oueyear tenure, or one similar to that extended to other seaside committees and societies in New Plymouth. If the people of Fitzroy showed a keen interest in the scheme and indicated that they really intended to improve the property, he felt sure that they would have no difficulty in obtaining control. Mr. Bellringer later suggested that the whole of the reserve be taken over. The committee could then concentrate on the development of the 4| acres they most desired, while the fact of having control over the remainder would probably save that portion becoming a nuisance. In the discussion that followed general support was given to the suggestion that the whole of the reserve be taken over, one advantage being that a more suitable entrance could be made to the proposed park. NEW COMMITTEE ELECTED. It was resolved that a public: committee be elected for the purpose of developing a seaside park at Fitzroy, and that the Harbour Board be approached for a license to occupy and control approximately 13 acres of the foreshore eastward of Nobs Line. The following comittee was then set up: Messrs. J. Baltimore, A. Gilbert, A. Saxby, C. S. Forbes, J. Kibby, J. K. Hawkins, G. Harrison, L. C. Richards, -1. Rielly, W. P. Harlow, G. Duncan. C. H. Burton, D. Alexander, T. Drake, H. Sinclair, M. Stagpoole. W. Gallaher, K. Milne, H. Martin, W. N. Stephenson and C. Harvey. A SUITABLE SITE. The proposed site of the park lends itself particularly well for development as a pleasure resort. The particular part of the reserve required for the park extends from a point slightly west of Beach Street to a point opposite Sackville Street. Entrances will be provided at the ends of each of the streets mentioned. Drives will lead into a large packing area in the centre of the park and to a large area set aside as a camping ground. In the plans a road is shown leading to and around a band rotunda at the north-eastern end of the park, provision being made to have the area in the vicinity of the rotunda laid out in flower beds and lawns. Further north the ground lends itself admirably to the construction of four tennis courts partially surrounded by terraces. It is also proposed to erect an esplanade for a short distance along the foreshore, and a pavilion ifi a centra! position in the reserve.