SPRING SUNSHINE

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 305, 21 September 1936, Page 6

SPRING SUNSHINE

An Afternoon in the Botanical Gardens 0 CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND “The weather for the most part fair to fine,” said Saturday's forecast. It was more than that in the Wellington Botanical Gardens—it was spring. The afternoon sunshine slanted through the tall pines on to the children’s playground where scores of small girls and hoys were engrossed in their play. Bright flashes of colour from light to shadow and shrill screams seemed to give the girls a majority but the drab male was just as much in evidence as he fought .his way on to slides and swings. • A little removed from the arena, where small boys were risking life and limb amid the. squeals of delighted admirers, sat watchful mothers. Poor mother, many were her anxious moments as some small son hurtled earthwards in shrill delight, wrecking havoc with even the sturdiest of serge trousers. Swinging up against the dark background of pines, gaily-skirted little girls with flushed cheeks and dancing eyes flew like chattering parSedately walking along quieter paths, old ladies were speckled with scattered sunlight; their pleasure was not as active but it was as great for each. Turning revealed some new enjoyments—an army of tulips advancing through a host of forget-me-nots and the sudden glory of white cherry blossom against a splasn oi red rhododendron. On a. grassy slope three young men were sprawling in the mellow sunlight, a drift of tobacco smoke curling above their heads. The same exuberance that was making little boys slide backward with legs to the sky was tempting elderly gentlemen to walk on the grass and prod at things with their umbrellas. The clamour from the playground died away. The grey shadows mounted the hill and many small feet toiled homewards. A few rebellious spirits remained in the gathering dusk, until they had undisputed rights to all they surveyed. Eack of competition deadened their enthusiasm and the silence of the dark trees was a little solemn. No Ipnger were they surrounded by shrill acclamation as they outdid each other on the swings; no longer did they have to fight to use the slides. This green stream had dulled to black and its chattering dominated the sounds of the night. The sunshine had long since deserted the hill and the shrill voices were but memories as the evening breeze sighed through the trees. There was still sunshine in many happy hearts although the day had passed and crowded memories were all that remained of the afternoon’s adventures in the spring sunshine.