CENTENNIAL MEMORIAL FOR WEST HARBOUR.

Evening Star, Issue 23326, 24 July 1939, Page 10

CENTENNIAL MEMORIAL FOR WEST HARBOUR.

TO THE EDITOR, Sir, —" Nonentity ' appears to bo of the opinion that the residents are indifferent and apathetic. I believe that there are still plenty of " live wires," possessed of progressive ideas, who are prepared to support these ideas for the eternal good of the borough of West Harbour. " Nonentity " asks tho direction the suggested road should take. Construct the road from the terminus of tho new road at Signal Hill along the brow of the hill, so as to connect with the end of Hill street, llavensbourne, "which finishes close to the well-known spring of water on the eastern side of Stony Hill. At the present time a heavy lorry can get past the spring and on turning abruptly to the right proceed almost to the summit of Signal Hill Reserve without using a formed road. The lorry may have to make a zigzag course at times, but it can get there, and has done so hundreds of times before, conveying firewood to the city via Ravenebourne. The grade is gradual until it almost reaches Signal Hill, w;here progress is retarded through a slightly steeper grade and a fair amount of heavy stones.

Perhaps it is not general!v known that the scenic reserve in West Harbour is called Burns Park. In years gone by Mr T. Ross and the late Air F. G. Cray, an ex-mayor of the borough, supported a request of the West Harbour Borough Council to apply to the Scenic Preservation Commission for a scenic reserve. Their efforts were crowned with success. Air E. G. Allen, member of the district at the time, supported the application in the House, and the remnant of native hush—comprising 109 acres on the hilltops— was secured as a reserve for the West Harbour for all time. The late Mr H. E. Holler endeavoured to have the park called “Allen Park,” after Air E. G. Allen, for his assistance in sponsoring the. request in and out of the House. Mr Atoller was informed that the name had already been decided on aud'could not bo altered. He inquired if the name “ Burns ” stood for Robert Burns, and be was told that it was almost as good as that, as it was for Dr Thomas Burns, the pioneer and associate of Captain Cargill. S.o we have two reserves adjoining each other, the one long associated with the name of Dr Thomas Burns, while the other promises to have the monument to Captain Cargill in the city square shifted from its present site to Signal Hill. The names of Cargill and Burns are closely associated with the birth and settlement of the Province of Otago. They saw the site of Dunedin in its primitive state, and, having put in the heavy spadework, lived long enough to see the result of their labour. A resident of our district passed the remark that West Harbour already had a memorial to the pioneers in the name of Burns Park, and he considered that it was unnecessary to do anything further in the matter. I replied that it looked as if he was trying to add another Aberdeen story to the present long list. The site of the Dunedin centennial memorial lacks a correct title. Colonel Smith Park would, I think, be an appropriate name for the memorial site. Signal Hill is situated further along on the ridge of the hill. I should estimate that one would have to hike the best part of two miles until he came to the “ trig ” station, -which in reality is Signal Hill, and not far from the Mount Cargill road. Should His Worship the Mayor of West Harbour call a public meeting, as “ Nonentity ” suggests. I think that the borough engineer might first inspect the Suggested route of the road and then make a report to the council, and the mayor (Air Smith), if he so desires, after the report lias been considered by his council, should call the meeting.—l am, etc.. F. AlixcheiJv. Ravensbourne, July 22.