A REMARKABLE FEAT.

Northern Advocate, 30 September 1918, Page 4

A REMARKABLE FEAT.

TEN-ACRE PLAYGROUND

PERFECTED IN ONE DAY,

SYDNEY, Sept. 15

To convert a ten-acre patch of clay into a beautiful playground for children, with bowling greens, tennis lawns, skittle alleys, and croquet greens, in a single day, is the remarkable feat accomplished by the em- - ployees of the Broken Hill Associated Smelters at Port Pirie, South Australia. The work was done voluntarily, and the company supplied the materials free of cost. Everything was planned out be-fore-hand, and all possible preparatory work done. Every task was carefully allotted, and every man knew his jobs and when and where to set about them. Over 2000 men ' assembled at the ground early on Saturday morning, and on the stroke of eight began work. Never did men work so hard. The women who came to feed them joined in, some of them even filling barrows and drivingnails. By dusk, the enormous task was completed. In one day a great central pavilion, .residential quarters for a caretaker, refreshment kiosk, and six handsome shelter-sheds were erected. A big outside fence and many dividing trellises were put up, and the grounds laid out in sections for the boys and girls. Gardens, trees, and lawns were planted. Scores of swings, see-saws, and things of that kind were put ■in place. Paths were laid out and playing areas levelled.

Lawns, brought there in blocks, were put into place, all smooth and green. Palms 40ft high sprang up as under a wizard's hand. Labourers levelled the ground, carpenters put the buildings up, painters followed them. Flowers and shrubs were planted carefully. For all the hurry, the work was carefully clone—those who examined it afterwards could find no lack of finish. The whole arrangement was pleasing to the eye. A beautiful picture had, in an incredible fashion, taken the place of what was, a few hours before, a hideous Waste of clay. It is said to be the biggest job of its kind ever done in one day in Australia.