BETTER THAN FORBURY PARK.

Evening Star, Issue 12943, 5 May 1908, Page 6

BETTER THAN FORBURY PARK.

TO THE EDITOR, Sir,—lt has often occurred to me that Dunedin has a wonderful asoet in the shallow reaches of the upper harbor lying at the head of the harbor, and situated between Anderson Bay on the one hand and the railway engine sheds on the other. This spot is, in my opinion, the natural reserve) for Dunedin. Why not amalgamate all the proposed schemes, and put all our energies into one that will at once enhance the beauty of the City, and meet all requirements for all time, and one that will be “ a thing of beauty and a joy for ever.” By running a curved stone embankment across the harbor from a point a little south of the railway overbridge to an opposite point at Waverley, and reclaiming the shallow reaches, Dunedin would be provided with a park that would not only make the City more beautiful, but would also give at our very doors sufficient space for all sports and pastimes. An artificial lake could easily be provided, and roving and swimming indulged in under the shade of trees, and in almost the heart of the City. In time a miniature crystal palace might be built in the centre, so that fetes, volunteer reviews, and national gatherings could bo carried on despite the weather. Anything from 150 to 200 acres could thus be secured and laid out, giving a finish to the harbor, quicker access to the Peninsula, and adding to the value of all surrounding properties. To this proposal I fancy I hear some people say “Utopian.” But is it Utopian? Let us sec.

It is proposed to buy Forbury Park. To do so and to make it. fit for all requirements would cost, anything from £40,000 to £50,000. Suppose this money is made the nucleus of the larger scheme. The Oval could be sold for residential purposes, and another good round sum added to the original. Chisholm Park in time would also sell to advantage, and even the Market Reserve might bs made use of. Then with public subscriptions and other special efforts £IOO,OOO could easily be reckoned on. This sum would go a long way to reclaiming the hind and planting trees. The Harbor Board could lend valuable assistance in the reclamation work, having now reclaimed as much land as they will be able to dispose of for many years to come, and could utilise the reserve area for dredgings from, the harbor. lam aware, of course, that engineers are against curtailing the benefits to be derived from the flow of tidal wateie, but as the banks are growing so fast it is only a matter of time when the waters will not cover them. They do not# do so now except on the top of high water, so that no great harm would be done to the harbor works, more especially as dredging will be continuously going on. If a comprehensive scheme such as this is taken in hand in time it is astonishing what can be done. Take, our Technical School Building as an illustration. I think it was yourself, Mr Editor, who years ago proposed, when this building was mooted, that a comprehensive building scheme should be entered into.' and that it should ( embracd a technical school, a school of engineering, an art school, ami an art gallery'. Had this scheme, which was called Utopian at the time, and considered beyond the powers of the citizens, been entered into, wo would have had to-day a pile of buildinrs that would have been a monument to the foresight of our public men. What have we instead ? Buildings scattered here and there all over the City, not one of them ornamental, some of them absolutly unsuiled for the work, badly lighted, and air eyesore. Yet in the aggregate they have cost the money that would have covered the larger and more beneficial scheme. So is it with regard to our health reserves. If the present proposals are carried out we shall have the Market Reserve, the Oval, Forbury Park, and Chisholm Park scattered over the southern portion of the town, whereas, under what might be called for want of a better term “a consolidating scheme,” we should have a beauty spot of immense value right at our doors, meeting every requirement, and seen, if not daily by visitors and residents alike. With such a park, together with the Sandhills of the Ocean Beach, the Town Belt, and our northern reserves, Dunedin would, in the maj*w of “ lungs,” be the strongest city in the Dominion, if not in Australasia. Am I taking too much upon mvrelf in asking the City Fathers to con/sider this matter before pledging themselves to the purchase of Forbury Park? If so, I ask their forgiveness. If not, I ask them to pause and consider it.—l am, etc., William Scott. May 5. i