The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED DAILY. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 1921.

Gisborne Times, Volume LV, Issue 6153, 10 August 1921, Page 4

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED DAILY. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 1921.

A WELCOME MOVEMENT. All sections of the community will welcome the extension of the laudable movement to convert the undeveloped municipal reserves into either recreation grounds or beauty spots. It is, indeed, most unfortunato that the Borough Council is too hard up at the present to help it along with heavy monetary support. But the "City Fathers” can assist the movement in other ways as, for example; by suggestions in connection with the plans, by /u|>plying trees and other Bnaterials and by placing at |th«q disposal of “working bees” lioraej teams or other plant when itxpsj needed. The fact that the residence of Kaiti lately banded together with the object of making the Butene road reserve a play-ground instead of a paddock for grazing purposes wns, unquestionably responsible for a similar movement in Whataupoko with reference to the development of the municipal area at the corner of Russell Street and Richardson’s Avenue. We have always regretted that, for some inexplicable reason, the civic authorities have never displayed commendable activity in regard to the utilisation of the undeveloped reserves under their control Tor the benefit of the public generally. In recent yealrs, however, there has been a steady growth in public interest in the matter. To take the more notable instances, let us mention the initial steps taken to acquire Score Park, the beautifying of the town side of the Turanganui river and the Kaiti Hill Park movement. Nor must the fine work that has been done on the foreshore by the Waikanao Beach Improvement Society be overlooked. Praise is also due to various sports bodies for valuable improvements effected in the case of the more important sports grounds. To blame the present council for the backwardness of this important centre in respect of the matter under consideration would, of course, be unjust. As far as the Mayor is concerned, his enterprise in connection with the acquisition by the borough of an additional area adjacent to the Botanical Gardens is ample proof that, personally, he appreciates the advantage to the citizens of an adequate number of “open spaces” for parks and recreation grounds. If the borough council were not in sore need of funds, we believe that Mr Wildish would place before its members a progressive scheme' for the improvement "of the public reserves. As matters stand at. present, there does not seem much prospect of the borough getting into a position to do very much in the way of developing further areas for some time to come.