THE FUTURE CITY.

Waikato Times, Volume 105, Issue 17712, 16 May 1929, Page 8

THE FUTURE CITY.

PLANS FOR GARDEN PLACE BEAUTIFYING CHAIRMAN’S VISION. COUNCIL’S CONSIDERATION URGED The possibility of acquiring the section now occupied by- the Courthouse with the view of extending the Carden Place reserve down to the River Path was brought before the Hamilton Borough Council last night by Mr W. H. Paul, president of the Beautifying Society.

Mr Paul wrote that the society was unanimously of the opinion that no more favourable time for entering into negotiations for tlie acquisition of the land than at present was likely to occur again. He suggested that the Postal Department be approached with the view to effecting an exchange of the section at present occupied by the Justice Department for an equally suitable site in Alma, Street or in any convenient locality vested in the Council. The Alma Street site was most advantageously situated for a main postoffice, as the Department would possess two outlets for its traffic—viz,, (a) Alma Street itself and (b) the existing right-of-way from Alma Street via the back of King’s Buildings on to Victoria Street just south of the railway crossing. The business of the general public xvith the post-office and that of the post-office itself would not interfere with the ordinary traffic along Victoria Street.

On such an exchange being effected and the section having, been vested in the Borough Council, the land could then be handed over to the Beautifying Society to be laid out as a park and public gardens, added Mr Paul. J Not Cramped for Space. j

“All modern schemes of town-j planning provide for open-air reserves! in the business areas. Hamilton is notj cramped for space and for future ex-1 pansion of ihe ‘business zone,’ as there’ is a larjje block of land available be-tween-Hood Street on the south, Collingwood Street on the north, and Anglesca Street on the west.- In ten years Hamilton will probably be a city of *30,000 inhabitants, and-the neces-i sity for open-air spaces will be) very\ urgent then, though not so urgent now. j The cost of securing such areas in; ten years' time will he so enhanced as' to be an almost prohibitive luxury. l The citizens of that time would have just cause for upbraiding us for our lack of foresight in not having secured such a boon for them at a comparatively trifling cost..

“With a city possessing such, great natural advantages it is incumbent on us to see that full advantage is'taken of them. One of these assets, is the River. Path and full advantage of this can only be taken by making such af park as we have suggested, giving a' wide and improving access to it from the centre of the town.”

Mr Paul, on behalf of the society, urged, the Council to give the matter immediate and earnest consideration. The matter was referred to’the General Purposes Committee.

Messrs C- Boycs and Co., Ltd., wrote asking wlielhcr tlie Council wished to lease the piece of land at the end of Aima Street on the left-hand side, as if the rental was satisfactory a client was prepared to enter into a lease. This matter Was also referred to > the General Purposes Committee. »