PUBLIC RESERVES

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVI, Issue 22998, 15 September 1944, Page 4

PUBLIC RESERVES

Tendency Of Hospitals To Encroach A National Question The extension of hospitals and the building of houses on reserves and playing areas was a problem that should be settled nationally, said the secretary (Mr P. S. Enting) at a meeting of the South Canterbury Council of Sport last evening.

Irrespective of the expansion of a town, whether it was away from a hospital or not, it seemed to be the present policy to extend hospital builSings on existing sites, Mr Enting said. Since it was a national question, not only affecting Timaru, the matter should be settled once and for all by the Government. Mr A. E. Lawrence said that Christchurch was similarly affected. He had noticed in an Auckland newspaper a cartoon showing people being pushed off sports grounds. The following remit to the National Council was moved by the secretary and carried;

“That in view of the tendency by hospital boards to encroach on public reserves as ■ evidenced by recent application by the South and North Canterbury Hospital Boards, the New Zealand Council of Sport be advised that this matter should be considered nationally, and that the Government be requested: (a) To declare a national policy against the alienation of reserves. (b> To consider the whole question of suitability of present hospital sites for future expansion in relation to the requirements of the already expanded urban areas, (c) To establish machinery for the taking of evidence, from experts and other interested parties, in those local areas where the hospital board authorities consider that expansion is necessary and that alienation of reserves is necessary to permit that expansion.” Cricket Material A survey of cricket material in the Dominion had been made, said Mr Lawrence, and wholesalers thought they could supply this season’s demand. They had fared well last year in Timaru, but first-class cricket balls were in short supply. In presenting a report, which is to be placed before the Borough Council, dealing with the grounds required for sport in Timaru, the chairman (Mr H. H. Fraser) said that what they were asking for was not expected to be given immediately, as the report envisaged requirements for the next 10 years. The Council, no doubt, would appreciate the work which the Council of Sport had done in gathering information.

A committee comprising two representatives from the Timaru Borough Council and the Levels County Council had been set up to town plan the industrial area at Washdyke, said the secretary. He did not know whether provision was being made for playing areas. It was agreed to write for information. A credit balance of £7O/10/9 was reported by the secretary.