Evening Post. SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 1895

Evening Post, Volume XLIX, Issue 99, 27 April 1895, Page 2

Evening Post. SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 1895

THE THORNDON RECREATION ' GROUND.

♦ Thi resnlt of lost night's meeting of ratepayers on the subject of tho proposed Thorndon reoreation ground was not unexpected, but it is none the less to be regretted. The majority of the ratepayers present took a view of the question which was as shortsighted as it was undoubtedly selfish. The opposition is evidently to Thorndon having a reoreation gronnd at all, rather than to the particular purchaeo proposed. As to the latter, there is not another such available open space, equally well situated, in the ward. The price is, in the judgment of all experts, at least -SIOOO below the fair market value Tho proposed purchase is praotually unassailable on these grounds. The opposition to it is based on unwillingness to spend any money for the purpose in view, 'lhore is never likely to arise an opportunity of providing a recreation ground at Thorndon at a less cost than .£425 a year— the sum reqnired in the present case. It is a charge so small that there should bo no difficulty whatever in providing for it out of ordinary revenup, as tho Mayor and Councillor Mters pointed out, without levying the special rate wbiob has to be pledged as security. If tho ratepayers will not authorise an expenditure of .£125 for tho sake of providing tbe Thorndon end of tho city with a recreation ground, it is evident that they are determined that Thorndon shall not have a recreation ground at any price. This is a matter for great regret, not only for the sake of the Tliorndon ratopayers and residents, but for the sako of the City and ita inhabitants generally. Snob a feeling chows a short-sightedness which is most deplorable. Wellington at present enjoys the uner viable distinction of boing the least attractive city in New Zealand, as well as the leas',l attractive chief town of any colony in Australasia, either as a placo of residenoe or as a temporary abode for visitors. Its attractiveness might in many ways be inoreased tt a comparatively small outlay, but unfortuuato'y its people will spend nothing which involves a direct charge upon them, no matter how great tho indirect or prospective benefit may bo. They rcem unable to realise the value of attractiveness to the City as an asset. Tourists and visitors now pass through Wellington as quickly as possiblethere is no inducement for them to stay longer tban business may require. They linger in Dnnedin, in Christohnroh, or in Auckland, b oauso they oan enjoy themselves in healthful ontle s and surroundings. They Bpend weeks of pleasure in Sydney, while they grudge a few hours' delay in tbo sailing of tbe steamor whioh is to take them away from Wellington. Tho loss to the trade of the City is inoaloulable. Other places benefit by the goldon tide which paßses by us. barely touching our shores. iS'o city in the colonies possesses greater natural advantages than Sydney, and in no other place has so muoh been done to preserve natural beauties, add to them the attractions of art, and provide fooilitioa for their full enjoyment. Tho parks and gardens of Sydney, the beautiful picnic resorts on the islands and around the harbour, all maintained at the publio cost— a very heavy ono— aro the pride of the colony, and the expenditure is universally regarded as an excellent business investment. Sydney recognises the commercial value of attractiveness. It is a lesson which Wellington baa yet to learn. This City might be improved and made infinitely more attractive to visitors and pleasant as a placo of residence than it is, and money conducing to those purposes conld not be moro profitably expended, although the return would be indireot. The City will never be what it onght to bo, or bold the position whi<:h its situation and natural advantages entitle it to, while its inhabitants are content to pig along disregarding considerations of health and beauty, not oaring whether people enjoy visiting Wellington, and intent only on the great utilitarian objeot of keeping the rates down. We say without hesitation that the acquisition of the Hobson-street property would be a good thing not only for Thorndon, but for the City as a whole. It would tend to raise the value of Thorndon property, and would certainly induce the ereotion of new buildings in that locality, probably to suoh an extent that the new

rates would amount to a good doal more I tl an the intetPSt on the cist of purchase of , the ground. Too Oitj is lamentably dofioi'-ut iv recreation groiiLck and breathing spaces, and every year tha opportunity ot acquiring a few acres conveniently situated and unbuilt npon, will becomo greater. The present opportunity is one whioh, onoe lost, it will bo impossible to reoall, and the opposition to taking advantage of it is unwise and cxtremoly shortsighted. Wo fear, howovcr, tbat there is very little hope of a majority to authorise the purohaso being obla'ncd at iho poll. Wo muoh wish it woro otherwise, not only ou account of this partiou'ar caao, but becanso of tho narrow, minded policy which tho rejoction of tho proposal in this instance will show as generally influencing tbe ratepayers of tho City.