A LAKE FOR HAGLEY PARK.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9177, 7 August 1895, Page 4

A LAKE FOR HAGLEY PARK.

We hope the proposal of Mr H. K. Webb and others that the site of the old running ground in Hagley Park shall be converted into a small lake, will not be allowed to fall through. There is no question that such a work would add a new element of beauty to the Park, and would afford an inexhaustible source of amusement to the rising generation. The spot at present is merely a boggy depression, covered with rushes and rubbish, and is indeed an eyesore. The situation, however, is very picturesque, being bounded by trees on three sides, and if a little taste were displayed in laying out a ; miniature lake, making it of irregular shape, and with one or two .islets in it, as Mr Webb suggests, it ought to become one of the prettiest features of the Park. Then it should afford an additional source of recreation. Some people, we understand, are rather amused at the idea of model yacht races on such a lake, and of grown up persons being found to take an interest in such a sport. Anyone who has seen the excitement over the model yacht sailing on the Eound Pond in Kensington Gardens, or on the ornamental water in the Centennial Park, Sydney, however, will admit that the, amusement is capable of arousing great enthusiasm and soon exercises a . strong fascination over its votaries. Some of the yachts to be seen on the Round Pond aforesaid, or on the Serpentine, are of very careful design and beautifully finished. Without going in for anything so elaborate as this, however, it requires no great stretch of imagination to picture what a very pretty scene might be witnessed on a bright summer afternoon or evening in this now neglected part of the Park if we had only this little ornamental sheet of water, the islet 3 with some toi-tois, or tree ferns perhaps, * and the shores lined with happy children, shouting with glee over their little fleet of white-sailed yachts scudding across the lake. It ought not to require a very heavy expenditure to bring about this result. No great depth would require to be excavated, and a couple of arfcesians with a pipe drain to carry the overflow to the river ought to comprise the necessary water supply. If the work were let by contract to a man with ploughs and scoops, probably from £50 to £109 would be sufficient to do what is necessary at tho beginning. If the unemployed were put on it, as has been suggested, there would at least be a valuable permanent improvement to show as the result of their labours. If there are not sufficient funds available from ordinary sources, probably some of those.... interested would subscribe towards the cost. The amount might then be passed through the Winter Work Fund and receive the subsidy from the Government. In any case, the opportunity of adding a permanent element of beauty to our immediate surroundings is too good to be allowed to drop, and we hope the Domain Board and the City Council will take the matter energetically in hand and not rest until it is carried out.