GARDEN PLACE.

Waikato Times, Volume 110, Issue 18405, 12 August 1931, Page 6

GARDEN PLACE.

HILL REMOVAL SCHEME. THE PROPOSAL EXPLAINED. REPLY TO CRITICISM. Cr. W. Bourne, chairman of the Works Committee of the Hamilton Borough Council, writes as follows concerning the proposal to remove the Garden Place Hill:—j ‘‘ln view of the prominence that has been accorded the Borougli Council's action in refusing to consider an up-to-date report from the Borough engineer upon the Garden Place Scheme (his original report being seven years old), and in view of the subject matter of your leader of Friday, 7th instant, I feel that It Is only fair to the councillors who supported the motion and to the engineer that the position should be explained. "It Is quite apparent from your leader that the engineer's proposals in connection with Garden Place are seriously misunderstood. In fact, all the arguments that you have marshalled against the proposal are essentially strong arguments for It. You state that Hamilton requires breadth to consolidate it, something to induce ■commercial buildings to develop in the subsidiary streets, the presence of a large open space in the centre of Its business area and the cultivation of the aesthetic. With these sentiments I entirely agree, but as they are only attainable by carrying Into effect the Garden Place scheme, it is obvious that the proposal Is not understood. Let not the citizens be deluded Into believing that the present scheme bears the slightest resemblance to the scheme brought forward many years ago for the commercialisation of the Garden Place frontage to Victoria Street. Any suggestion that the present proposal Is utilitarian at the expense of the aesthetic is utterly unfounded. On the contrary, the aesthetic side will be developed even to a greater degree than the utilitarian.

Wilderness and Entirely Neglected. “Garden Place is a road reserve, approximately 200 feet wide, and goes from Victoria Street to Anglesea Street, a distance of over 700 feet. It is practically all hill, and the properties on either side are privately owned. The hill at one time extended right across Victoria Street to the edge of the river bank, and a portion of It was removed . many years ago to make room for Victoria Street. On account of the access required to the private properties, the hill does not lend itself, except the very front portion, to serious utilisation as a public park, and this is supported by the fact that it Is a wilderness and entirely neglected. The private properties, being elevated, are not usable as business sites, and are only valued as residential properties, in spite of the fact that they are right In the centre of the business area. But Immediately the hill is removed, and level access provided, and additional access provided by means of the extension of Alexandra Street to Ward Street, the properties become extremely valuable. "The whole area of Garden Place becomes immediately a large open space, at once accessible and used by the people. Along each side a roadway Is proposed connecting Victoria Street with the extension of Alexandra Street. In the centre Is suggested a garden plot, pergola, etc., haring practically the same frontage to Victoria Street as at present, and extending right back to Alexandra Street, a distance of 350 feet. Aesthetic Qualities Improved.

"This could he made infinitely beautiful. It particularly desired the present garden plot and pergola could remain, without affecting the scheme at all, only that something much more beautiful might with advantage be developed in Its place. If carried a step further on to Anglesea -Street, It Is proposed that an elevated area should be left on the Garden Place Road Reserve, upon which might eventually be erected some public building or edifice. The high portion of the hill to the south, at present private property, might with advantage be suitably formed and beautified, and thrown open as a public park. The proposal includes the purchase of all the lowvalued residential properties by the council, so that the ratepayers will benefit by the enormous increase In value, which will accrue when the properties become business sites. The total increase in values so effected, even at slump prices, Is more than sufficient to pay for the whole cost of excayatlon and roadway construction, and still leave a substantial surplus. Space for the normal growth of the business area will be provided. The town will assume breadth, and Its aesthetic qualities will be vastly improved. "None of the arguments used against the scheme holds water. We hear that a historic beauty spot Is being ruined, that the hill Is a natural asset and a national heritage. lias the portion of the hill cut away In the past, to enable Victoria Street to be constructed on the level, ruined Hamilton? On the contrary, it has made Victoria Street from a business standpoint, and in addition has permitted the formation of that delightful little spot with its garden and pergola, known to the public as Garden Place, and which an attempt Is now being made to gull the public Into believing that the proposed scheme alms at destroying.

"Since the first portion of the hill was removed a great many years ago Hamilton has grown from a village to nearly a city, and Its further growth demands the removal of more of the. hill and the construction of other level roads parallel to the main road. The future depends even more upon this being done than the present Hamilton depended upon the initial cut. "We do not have to go as far afield as Nanking for other similar examples. What sort of a city would Dunedin have been if its hill similarly situated to Garden Place had not been removed to permit of the construction of the Octagon, now the beautiful business and civic centre of the city. Contemplate the Future. "The heritage we have in Garden Place lies In its excellent layout, and the unique opportunity of creating a large useful and beautiful open space in the centre of our busiest area. Let us not look to the future with the circumscribed small town aspect. Let us realise that Hamilton is destined to be an important city. Let us be prepared for this future growth so that il will develop In Hie direction we want it.

"Has anyone paused to consider where the business area will extend (Gau.Luiu.ed in next column.)

to when Hamilton has doubled Its population. It Is a well-known axiom that the frontage required for business purposes bears a close relationship to the population. Where wilt the business area develop If Garden Place Hill continues to block the natural tendency? It will be one long street, stretching from Bridge Street to Liverpool Street, to Its lasting detriment.

"Is not this Garden Place schemes suitable work upon which to .employ our unemployed? Highly productive, every penny put into It returned Io the people, with interest, nearly all labour, and admirably situated for proper supervision of the work. And not all pick and shovel work either, for with eight houses to cut In sections. move to other sites and reerect work will be provided for carpenters and all kindred trades.

j "One hears many adverse commenls about Hie unsatisfactory nature ' <.f the work the reUst men are at pre- ' sent engaged upon. There are actually twenty-eight gangs working in i all parts of Hie borougli, and proper supervision is Impraclleable. and without the council finding large sums of money for materials and cartage other classes of work are Impracticable, is not this Garden Place scheme Hie very 'job we are looking for? Personally, | 1 am In favour of go ng to lhe rat i payers with it. as I know that whC I properly understood, support will not I be lackins/ 1