TRANSFER OF PARK LANDS

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23321, 3 October 1945, Page 4

TRANSFER OF PARK LANDS

Government Attitude Stated Inspection Made At Timaru Further Evidence Sought By Committee It would be particularly difficult to induce the Parliamentary Lands Committee to agree to the change of purpose of any, or part of any, public reserve, the chairman of the Committee (Mr E. P. Meachen, M.P.) told a representative of “The Timaru Herald” yesterday. During his 10 years’ experience as a member of the Committee, he had found it at all times strongly opposed to the alienation of any area set apart for public recreation. The attitude of most members of the Committee, and of the Government, was that reserve lands were the property of the people of New Zealand—not only the people of one particular town or district—and such lands should be preserved for posterity. The Committee was insistent on that. Only in exceptional circumstances would it condone a change of purpose of reserve land. The first application by the South Canterbury Hospital Board for the transfer of two strips of the Timaru Park for hospital extension had been declined by the Committee, and recently a second similar application had been made. After hearing the evidence by those supporting the application and those opposed to it. the Committee had decided that he should visit Timaru to Investigate any contradictions in the evidence and secure further evidence. Mr Meachen explained. He was accompanied by Mr D. C. Kidd, M.P.. who was also a member of the Parliamentary Lands Committee, and, after their inspection and discussion with representatives of both sides, they would report back to the Committee, providing further evidence, necessary details and their I own opinions. It would then be left to the Committee to make its recommendation to Parliament. If it ware recommended bv the Committee that the land should be transferred, the consent of both Houses would have to be given before the transfer could he made. Visit to Park The two hockey grounds at the Park were pegged out and the two str'ps of the Park, were similarly delineated when Mr Meachen visited the Park yesterday afternoon. He also inspected the hospital and the Board’s property in Edward Street. After visiting the Caledonian Ground, Mr Meachen inspected Russell Square. Anzac Square, Caroline Bay, Maori Park (and !he tennis courts) and Ashbury Park. He left for the north by ear later •n-the afternoon. Mr Meachen and Mr Kidd were met at the Timaru Park by the Rev. Clvde Carr. M.P., and Mr Jack Acland. M.P. for Temuka, the Mayor of Timaru (Mr A. E. S. Hanan), the Town Clerk (Mr J. M. Jenkins) and the Borough Curator (Mr A. W. Anderson), the chairman

of the South Canterbury Hospital Board (Mr E. Macdonald), the secretary of the Board (Mr H. G. Naylor), the medical superintendent of the Timaru Public Hospital (Dr. J. C. McKenzie). Mr P. W. Rule (the Hospital Board’s architect), Mr A. E. Lawrence (representing the South Canterbury Cricket Association) and Mr R. Green, who is a member of the Timaru Borough Council, but who represented the South End Ratepayers’ Association and the South Canterbury Hockey Association. Messrs Lawrence and Green were present by invitation of Mr Meachen, both representing the sporting bodies that use the Park. Later Mr D. J. Mcßeath (a former representative cricketer) and Mr C. W Cameron (representing the South Canterbury Amateur Athletic Club) were called to express their opinions.