VICTORIA PARK.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 117, 17 May 1906, Page 4

VICTORIA PARK.

The action of the Auckland Harbour Board in withdrawing from the area leased for Victoria Park a strip facing Patteson-street has not been justified" by events. Members were at that time of opinion that the frontages would lease readily, and afford a substantial source of revenue. With the exception of a section, for a shop and two or three sections used for timber stacking and stables, the sanguine anticipations of the Board have not been fulfilled. What was feared by those who took an interest in -the establishment of a park in this crowded locality has happened—the vacant ground has become an unsightly weed-grown area, where rubbish and old tins are surreptitiously dumped. The corner near Victoria-street is as unsavoury a spot as any in the city. Instead of a fine entrance to the Park on this corner, there is a miscellaneous collection of drays, ancient bricks, and heaps of scoria, Opponents of the establishment of a park in this locality made a great deal of capital out of the argument that it was not required, and would not be used. Experience has shown this contention to be entirely fallacious.In spite of its restricted utility as a result of the Harbour Board's circumscribing action, it afforded a greatly appreciated outlet throughout the enmmer and autumn for the children of the congested area which naturally slopes to thi3 spot, and this despite the fact that the laying out of the ground was far from completed. That Victoria Park will be an ever-increasing factor in promoting the rational amusement and in benefiting the health of one of the most crowded residential portions of the city, there remains no room to doubt. But the value of the park as a beauty spot in the city has been seriously discounted by the cutting-off of the Patteson-etreet frontage. The question arises whether it would not be possible now to remedy the mistake. Since the Harbour Board came to its decision on the matter some years ago, the position has materially changed. In the interval a scheme of works has been adopted that will provide an immense area of reclaimed land on the forenhore facing this part of the city. The commercial value of this land will certainly not suffer from its bordering on a popular park, while it will provide for very many years to come a sufficient area for the expansion of the class of business adapted to such a situation. The present time is opportune for raising the question of the extension of Victoria Park to Patteson-street. The park ia now taking den«ita isxn^jrMbi

every additional lease—not that there eeems any great danger under this head —will make it more difficult to effect any su&ii project. Wβ trust that City Council and Harbour Board will seize an early opportunity for the careful reconsideration of this question.