PICTON NOTES

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 88, 8 January 1926, Page 12

PICTON NOTES

A very happy little gathering took place on Wednesday when the tennis courts on the foreshore were officially opened and handed over to the borough. Dr. J. Lovell Gregg, president of the Beautifying Societv, gave a resume of the society’s activities, and handed over the courts to Mr. J. L. Jones, Alayor of Picton. After accepting the gift, the Alavor called on Airs. Gregg to unlock the'gate, and Miss Alice Fuller put the first ball over the net. Official sets, comprising members of the Beautifying Societv and workers in the late Queen Carnival, played a game, after which the courts were thrown open for play for the remainder of the afternoon. Tea was served to the public by the ladies

The work of dam construction in connection with the new reservoir is going on apace under the control of the borough foreman. The tractor lately purchased by the council for the cartage of material to the dam site is allowing the. work to be proceeded with expeditiously, as well as making a saving on haulage costs. It is hoped that the reservoir and pipe-line will be completed this summer, so that the water supply for the next summer will stand the strain of a drought. Residents of the district cannot but help feel perturbed over the lack of care exercised bv holiday makers at Captain Cook’s historic landing place, Ship Cove. Normally, the spot is a beautiful scenic reserve, but so wanton has been the acts of picnickers in despoiling the trees and fern undergrowth in the locality that unless the district ranger takes sterner measures to repress the vandalism, one of the most popular scenic resorts of the sounds is in danger vf being ruined. Motorists are beginning to return north again from their trip overland to Dunedin. At least one of them, who is finishing his holiday by in Picton, is loud in his praises of the East Coast route and the glorious seascapes to be obtained from the Kaikouran. So great has been the influx of touring parties from the North Island, with running boards heaped with camping impedimenta that the idea is already gaining ground in Aiarlborough that a National Park should be created by the Lands Department for the convenience nf these campers, one party of whom has made the trip from as far north as Whangarei.

The recorder of sunshine for Marlborough has given the report of the sun’s activities for the year, and tins once again confirms the name given to Marlborough the Golden. Ihe sun 6‘tone for 2051.72 hours during the year 1925, as compared with an average for the last six years of 2013 hours. The daily average for the year was a. 55 houvs.