MONEY FOR WATERLEA.

Marlborough Express, Volume LIV, Issue 181, 2 August 1920, Page 4

MONEY FOR WATERLEA.

On Saturday next will begin a period of time which will be remembered in Blenheim as Waterlea Fort-

night, when a public-spirited section of the community Will carry out a campaign for tho collection of funds to lay out Waterlea Park. The memory of this period will be a pleastint one if the people do their duty in this; public matter as thoroughly, as they have done in the past. Marlborough stands high in the list as regards her war-effort in providing men and money; and it is not for a moment anticipated that the people will not respond again to give money for a worthy airl urgent object.

The urgency of the need for a public park and playing 'grounds in Blenheim is evident to the most casual visitor here. There is not even a golf course in the Wairau, though that is ono of tho simplest playing grounds to lay out—nor even a. road to the beach at White's Bay. And it is not without reason that the question is asked by visitors, "What do Blenheim ptople do for recreation ?" The Waterlea movement is aiming to provide a place, where all forms of healthful recreation will be availaU|e ; from tho strennousness of football to the nerve-soothing influence of resting in still, arbors and hearing the t:«usio of a band drifting across scented rose gardens. What may be done here with flowers has been amply dertionstrated in Seymour Square .which is famous, now for -its-roses. Tho possibilities that await the gardeners brain and hand in Waterlea Park are infinitely greater. All that is required in what tho people of the Wairau can most easily supply—and-that is, money. Whatever Marlborough :ilay lack—and there seems to be a long list---her people do not lack money. And it is their obvious duty to have the fertile acres of Waterlea. connected with a park without equal for many a score of miles.