OPEN SPACES.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 125, 27 May 1919, Page 5

OPEN SPACES.

MORE PLAYGROUNDS WANTED. The need for more playgrounds and open spaces in Wellington was stressed nt yesterday afternoon's session of the Town-planning Conference by Mrs. Corliss, at Wellington. An outline of what has been done in Auckland in this direction was given by Mrs. N. E. Ferner, representing the Auckland Civic League on the conference. At the instigation of, the League, the Auckland City Council, Mrs. Ferner eaid, had appointed the first trained supervisor of children's parks and playgrounds, who had begun her duties ion May 1. The supervisor operated in Victoria and Myers Park, Auckland, and her duties included the encouragement of sportsmanship, directing the playful energies of the children, and the training of their young bodies by suitable games. The spirit thus inculcated was of the best, and would stand the juveniles in good stead as their years advanced and they were called upon to take part in tlic big game of life, with all its changes J and chances. Mrs. Ferner deprecated the digging away of beautiful hills in the search for road metal and railway ballast. She stressed the necessity for making easy of access our own natural playgrounds and parks, instancing Tongariro Park— which includes Mount Ruapehu, Tongariro. and Ngaruahoe. If the Government were to build a hermitage on the slopes of Mount Ruapehu, she was assured the place would c crowded with eager seekers after health and recreation the year round. Dr. Hector mentioned that the Alpine air was most beneficial in chest or bronchial complaints. The public little realised the vastness and resources of this grand National Park.