PEOPLE'S PLAY GROUNDS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CVI, Issue 12557, 19 July 1901, Page 6

PEOPLE'S PLAY GROUNDS.

TO THE EDITOR. . Sir, —I sometimes wonder when I Walk across Hagley Park, that noble heritage of ours from the grand pioneers of Canterbury, whether tho spirit which animated them ‘has utterly from among us. Going eastward, northward, southward of the city nothing comparable to it is in evidence. Indeed, the people’s recreation grounds are painfully conspicuous by their absence. Frequent open spaces where young and old could unite are needed round about and in every city and suburb. By such provision beauty and use are conserved, and it would follow that the health and morality of the people would improve. But I am afraid that our City Fathers and most of the people who elect the City Fathers, are too much engrossed by “ business ” which takes no account of , sentiment or health or beaqty, or morality, or, in fact, of anything save the almighty dollar, to be expected to give attention to these essentials of the corporate life of tho people. However, there are noble examples which one may quote for the behoof of our City Fathers and for the dwellers of our town and suburbs.

Since the London County Council has come into existence, ii- ha* doubled the areas of parks and open spaces for the people, and thanks to its beneficent lead, the Alexandra Palace and the park of 173 acres attached do it,, have been secured by “the goodwill towards man” of Mr H. Burt, a member of the Middlesex County Council and the Hornsly District Council. Hearing that a syndicate had been formed to buy up this whole property for the base purposes of jerry-building, in twenty-four hours he obtained from • generous-hearted men £SOOO to be placed on deposit for the purchase of the palace for the people; In a short time public authorities were induced to take up the matter, the necessary purchase money was collected, and the palace and park thus saved from the desecrating clutches of the syndicate., The magnificent central transept of the palace is capable of holding 12,000 people, and has an. organ which cost £20,000. Free recitals and concerts are now to be given by the management. ; Theatres and sideshows are also to afford entertainment for the masses. Children are to be provided with delectable donkey rides, and there is to be boating on the lake in the. grounds, and games of many kinds are to be instituted.

Let us make public confession, that we os a community ’have don® those things which we ought not to have done, in following evil leads of the Old Country, and now as strong efforts are there being made to turn towards the paths of righteousness, let us not be slow to follow the good' lead that is being set. May the people realise that it lies with them to say whether or not Christchurch and its suburbs shall have frequent open spaces for recreation.—l am, etc., A.W.