WHY ANOTHER PARK?

Northern Advocate, 22 March 1934, Page 8

WHY ANOTHER PARK?

(To the Editor.) Sir,—l have been following the correspondence in your columns with reference to the purchasing of a piece of ground in Bank Street, with the object of forming a park, but I firmly believe that your correspondent 0. C. Manns is barking np the wrong tree altogether when lie wants to add another park to the town Avhen we already have two parks now that only need developing to turn them into “beauty spots.” Right in the heart of our town we have what is known as “Coder's Bark” or “Central Bark,” ami I make game to say this place could be turned into a veritable “Garden Spot” if fun her developed. Take, for instance, the entrance to this park from Rust Lane. Why, a few pounds spent on a sightly gate or eutrar.ee ivould enable visitors to find it more easily. Then, again, the lane leading to the swimming pool could with ease lie transferred into a pleasing avenue, Avith an asphalt path down the centre and a border of floAvers at each side. Imagine the difference such an entrance would make, and here' let me say that as the members of the boAvling and croquet clubs use this entrance extensively they may be prevailed upon to organise tournaments for the purpose of raising money lo remove the unsightliness of this approach to their glorious greens. Few toAvns in Xcav Zealand possess stu-h a picturesque bowling green and croquet court, yet the approaches to these grounds are the reverse to picturesque. hi the bauds of our reserves superintendent, what a lot could be done to enhance the pieces of ground round the swimming pool. Xoav that avc have flood lights at this bathing spot, Avhat a golden opportunity for enthusiasts such as your correspondent to devote their energies to raising the necessary money to turn this valuable land into a veritable garden where band concerts and carnivals could be held regularly. Replace the present unsightly band rotunda Avith a modern one, lay out the grounds

in an enticing manner, ami yon Avill he doing the town of Whangarei a tar greater service than trying to liny another area of land which at present is barren of all cultivation. This is one of the alternatives 1 put to the Bank Street proposal. My second alternative to this “new” proposal is to go along to “Mair Park” and organise some efforts to improve this wonderfully natural beauty spot. Your correspondent is a newcomer to our town, and I wonder if he has paid a visit of inspection to '‘Mair Park,” for I feel certain that there is plenty of scope for his money-raising organising abilities, and he Avould soon lind an army of supporters ready to give him a helping hand to improve this beauty spot. I venture to say that if some other towns in Xcav Zealand possessed two places like “Central Park” and “Mair Park” they would exploit them more fully than onr people hero do. I i throw out a suggestion that, the elti-] zens get together, under the [Mayor's guidance, ami form a strong Beautifying Society, for there are number.'? of spots in and around onr town that with a few pounds spent on them would add beauty to onr town. I say emphatically lot us get busy on the paries we now possess, instead of saddling ourselves with any furl her liabilities. 1 suggest that the Mayor lie asked to call a public meeting before Master to discuss ways and means of doing this. —1 am, etc., “CENTRAL” AND “MAII?.”