The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1911

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3358, 26 October 1911, Page 4

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1911

Not a little dissatisfaction is felt in connection with

V/hataupoko Railway Reserve.

the decision of the Borough Council

to insist upon the removal of all buildings, etc., which have been placed upon what is called the railway reserve in WhataupoKO. As is well known, this property comprises a strip which runs through the b’ocks that lie between Ormond Road and Clifford Street, and extends from Fitzherbert Street to the borough boundary beyond Wi Pere Street. It is not, of course, denied that the Council has the power to stop any encroachments on this reserve, which has been held by the solicitors to the borough to be a road. But the question arises: Is the removal of all the buildings, etc., on the land a matter of moment at the present time P Some five years ago, it may be recalled, a notice was served on the residents who were using the ieserve, calling upon them to at once remove all encroachments. If we remember aright, however, the steps which it was proposed to take wor 1 not pressed to any great extent. To-day, what has again brought the matter into special prominence was doubtless a recent request from a ratepayer for permission to allow a cottage to occupy that portion of the reserve abutting upon his property. Had the building been in the nature of a permanent work no one would have been in the least bit surprised at the fact that the civic authorities should have preferred to decline the request. As it was, however, the property—holder informed the council that the structure would be erected on a sledge, and, moreover, he also intimated that he was quite prepared to pay a nominal rental for the use of the land. As a sequel to the course which was adopted in regard to this case, all propeity holders who have placed buildings, fences, etc., on the land forming the reserve have now been ordered to remove the same within fourteen days. In default (the no-

tice adds): “the corporation will take such steps against you as it may be advised for the abatement and removai of any obstructions, and for , redress, etc.” Xow it seems to us that good cause has not been shown why buildings, etc., of a temporary nature should not be allowed upon this reserve. If it were intended to use the land for the purposes of a thoroughfare without delay, it would, of course, be a very different matter. But such is not the case. From inquiries which have been made in civic circles, it is quite clear that the authorities have not at the present time the slightest intention either of taking steps to have the strip widened or of doing any formation work or metalling upon it. Indeed, the official explanation is merely that in consequence of a refusal having had to be given to the request to which we have just alluded, it is considered only fair that all encroachments should now be stopped. Seeing that the Council does not propose to use the land for a road, for the present at any rate, what will now happen is that portions of tfie reserve which now serve a useful purpose in one way or another to adjoining property-holders will, in numbers of cases, probably revert to depositories for rubbish and to sanctuaries for weeds of various kinds. Would it not then he much better, in the interests of the borough and of the property-hold-ers, for the Council to lease nortions of the reserve to occupiers of adjoining allotments at a reasonable figure in the meantime? It might be provided in the agreements that only temporary buildings, etc., would be permitted on the land, and that the land might be resumed by the Counoil upon due notice being given. We really do think that the matter is one winch should receive the further consideration of those who are called upon to administer the affairs of the borough.