ROAD THROUGH HAGLEY PARK.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 152, 6 November 1868, Page 2

ROAD THROUGH HAGLEY PARK.

"xA. deputation waited on the Park and Domain Board yesterday, for the purpose of presenting to it a petition praying for its recommendation of the proposal for making a road through Hagley Park in continuation of Armagh street/ The members of the Board in attendance were Mr Cyrus Davie, Mr Jollie, Mr George Gould, and the Hon. John Hall ; and the deputation consisted of t)ie following gentlemen : — Dr Turnbull, Alessrs Jamesqp, Lewis, E. B. Bishop, Sheppard, and Ross. Mr Jameson said that the deputation waited on the Board in consequence of a public meeting which was held : at the Criterion Hotel somo days ago. A large number of ratepayers and residents in the Northern part of the city attended, and passed resolutions in favour of the for-, mation of a carriage roadway through Hagley Park in continuation of Armagh street. He believed that by an Act of the Legislature, power was given to the Superintendent to lay off certain roads through parks, and the deputation wished to impress upon his Honor the desirability of having that road made. (Mr Jameson here presented a petition to the Board, signed by upwards of 30' i persons.) He desired to direct the attention of the Board to the fact, that this particular road had been marked out on the map some time ago; it was then considered a matter of probability that it would be required. The formation of such a road would be a great boon to the country people, and would also benefit the whole city, and he hoped, therefore, that the Board would recommend its formation to the Superintendent. Mr Jollie inquired what the cost of the road would be. Mr Jameson said this would depend upou the kind of road. Its promoters desired that it should! be a good road, and such a one as would tend to ornament the Park more than otherwise. Mr Lewis believed that the cost was estimated at £1000, including two bridges, if it was decided that two were required Mr Gould said that as far as the Board was concerned, they had nothing to do with the question of cost. Mr Lewiß said it was proposed that the road should be made ornamental, and fenced with wire — something after the style of the fencing surrounding Mr Gould's house. Mr Davie thought that so far as the Board was concerned as curators of public property they were bound to see that the road should be as little inconvenient as possible to those who might resort to the Park. The great annoyance of roads in Canterbury was the dust ; and supposing the Domain Board saw its way to recommending the formation of this road, it would be their duty to see that it was formed in such a way as to cause a3 little dust as possible. The road should be hard metalled and clay should be laid upon all sandy places. The Park and Domain Board had no funds whatever at their disposal. Mr Bishop 6aid the deputation was aware that the power rested with the Superintendent, but not wishing to actin an uncourteouß sort of way, they considered that the Board should be first applied to. They had come to know if the Board would endorse their views, and bring the matter under his Honor's notice. It would be for the Superintendent to say — first, whether he would approve of the road being formed, and secondly, what tbe terms should be — whether the Government would do the whole or a part of the work, and what they would expect the public to do in the matter. Mr Lewis said that at the public meeting, Mr Wynn Williams stated tliat he saw no difficulty whatever about the road except as related vo the funds that would be necessary for its formation. He seemed to imply that the Government would make the road supposing the public paid down £500 or so. Mr Jollie thought that what the deputation wanted was a statement to his Honor from the Board that the road would not interfere with the purposes for which the Park was reserved. Mr Hall inquired how the list of subscriptions stood, and if any estimates of cost had been gone into. Mr Lewis said that there was nearly £500 on the list. The City Surveyor had stated prior to the meeting that the road and two bridges would cost £1000 at the outside. They did not of course make a great point of the bridge at the • Government Buildings, the cost of which was reckoned at £300. Mr I Hall said that the question of money was 1 really the chief point. Some desultory con- f

versation ensued, and ultimately the deputation waa informed that the Board would consider the matter, and commnnicate their decision by letter. The deputation then retired. After the meeting held at Prebble's Hotel, last evening, had decided on the question as to the change of market day, tho chairman said he had received a letter asking for an expression of opinion as to tho proposed road across Hagley Park. Mr R. M. Morten moved, " Tliat in the opinion of this meeting, a road acros* Hagley Park is not required." Mr Murray seconded the resolution. Mr Knight said that as the matter would probably come before the Provincial Council, he would be glad to get the opiuion of bis constituents. He was in favour of a carriage road through Hagley Park, but he would act as bis constituents desired. The Rev R. S. Jackson said he was opposed to the cutting up of the Park. Tho time would come when Christchurch would be a large city, and he thought it would be wrong to cut up a place where capital recreation and breathing-room would ultimately be found. Mr Murray considered that in their present financial position, the Government would not be justified in expending money on the makmg of a carriage road through the Park. Mr Morten's negative mo'ion was carried almost unanimously.