THE HELMORE’S ROAD CONTROVERSY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17220, 11 December 1923, Page 6

THE HELMORE’S ROAD CONTROVERSY.

It is with regret that we notice the decision arrived at by tlie Waimairi County Council in connection >with the Hclmore's Road controversy. We do not regret the part we have taken in the discussion, because we are satisfied that it has assisted to create a stronger sentiment regarding the preservation and assertion of public rights. The county council has placed itself in an awkward position. The members know how difficult it is to induce private owners to give land for road widening. The experience of all local bodies is that if they 7 cannot appropriate the land they 7 have to pay 7 dearly 7 for it. The council has consented to the enclosure, and it may be many 7 years before it will regain possession. A bad precedent has been created, because many owners will not hesitate to urge that in their eases also beauty will be conserved and the public interest served by leaving them in possession of public land. In this matter we have strongly 7 urged a course which we believed to be in the public interest. The suburbs of Christchurch contain too many narrow streets, and the number should not be added to in order to save a few shrubs and avoid the.erection of a highly aesthetic paling fence.