CO129-577-3 Proposed transfer of military barracks to alternative site 30-1-1939 - 14-12-1939 — Page 36

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value. They are not, however, in a position to face the cost

of rebuilding themselves and there can be little doubt that

the difference in the site value of the land given up and the

land taken in exchange will much more than repay the Colonial

Government for their proposed expenditure on such rebuilding. In any such scheme it must be many years before the contemplated commercial sales of land can be completed, but I am assured and

I believe that eventually the cost of the scheme will be covered

by receipts from land sales and increased Crown rents, even

after allowing for the utilization of a part of the area

surrendered for public buildings and new roads. I would, however,

advocate the exchange whole-heartedly, even if there were no

prospect of full reimbursement, from the point of view of the

interests of the redevelopment of the city.

8. It may help to commend this proposal to you if I

mention at rather greater length some of its bearings upon the

all-important problem of this Colony's defence.

Murray Barracks lie today in the heart of a very

large and overcrowded town. Their only nearby room for exercise

is the parade ground, which is not large enough to contain a

full-sized football ground, and walking in country surroundings

is only possible after a considerable journey by tram or omnibus.

There is no bathing beach available to the men during the summer

months. All the temptations which assail troops in tropical

? insidio8+) countries are at the barrack gates and are the more invidious because of the paucity of opportunity for healthy recreation. The barracks lie nearly at water level on the hot side of the

island during the summer.

All these circumstances cooperate towards continuous

and material injury to the health of the troops there stationed: for instance, as you are aware, the venereal disease rate