PLAYGROUND FOR RADLEY

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27210, 30 November 1953, Page 8

PLAYGROUND FOR RADLEY

OFFICIAL OPENING ON SATURDAY The first of several playgrounds which it is hoped to establish for children living in the Radley district, was officially opened by Mr T. H. McCombs at Radley street on Saturday afternoon. Miss Mabel Howard, M.P., said the provision of a small playground for the very young girls and boys of the Radley district was made possible by the generosity of many friends interested in the welfare of children. The ground with its equipment would be a memorial to the fine services of Mr J. McCombs and Mrs Elizabeth McCombs to the district, and the women members of the Woolston Labour Party had played a big part in initiating the movement. This playground, which would prove a big asset to the district and was only for the use of very young children, would be followed by an effort to gain a bigger ground which would cater for everybody. Mr F. W. Richardson, chairman of the Radley Residents’ Committee, said the opening of the first ground was a great day for Radley. There had been some opposition to the proposal, but the need was very great and the first move showed the interests of residents. The provision of such a ground would relieve parents of young children of many very real worries. He handed to Miss Howard, president of the committee, two cheques, one for £5O and one for £lOO, to be donated to the provision of a bigger ground in Isis street. Firms of the district had earned the thanks of the committee for the generosity shown in providing prizes for the rames and goods for the stalls. Mr M., J. Barnett, Superintendent of Parks and Reserves for the Christchurch City Council, made a plea to members of the committee to continue with the splendid work they had started in guarding the safety of the young children. They would act as guardians of the ground, .purchased at the request of residents of the district.

Mr McCombs said he deeply appreciated the tribute paid to the work of his parents, who had been keenly interested in the welfare of children before even kindergartens had been established. The playgrounds, in which it was hoped to provide a swimming pool, would act as a great memorial to his father and mother. He declared the ground officially opened when he cut the ribbon at the gateway. The playground, which covers about a quarter of an acre and has a street frontage of a solid brick fence, is equipped with a merry-go-round swings, and see-saws, while to prevent damage to the windows of neighbouring houses a notice says: “No ball games must be played and all users must be under the age of 12 years.“ Erisk business was done in the sale ra ® e tickets, books, soft drinks, clothing, flowers and vegetables, preserves, cakes, and rubber mats from a well-stocked stall controlled by the Radley Residents’ Committee.