THE ALBERT BARRACKS RESERVE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XII, Issue 4259, 8 July 1875, Page 5

THE ALBERT BARRACKS RESERVE.

To the Editor of the Herald. Sin, —I hope the citizens will arouse themselves, ami see that the new Act to be brought into the Assembly this session by the Improvement Commissioners does not give them power to mortgage the sixteen acres reserved for recreation grounds, in the Albert Barracks, by a former Act of Assembly. There can be no doubt t.he Commissioners have began a good work in improving our city ; aud the new street that is to take the place of Chancery-street and other Crowded aud dilapidated lanes, will be a good thing for Auckland ; but, at the same time, we must see that our rights as citizens are not interfered with. The laud in qustion is the only available piece in the city suitable for recreation grounds ; and if we allow that to be taken away from us, we shall deserve the execrations, not only of the whole province at the present time, but of generations yet unborn. I would make a suggestion that would (if carried out) be a great boon to the city for ever. It is as follows :—Our representatives ill the House to get inserted in the new Act clause handing over the recreation ground to trustees unconnected with any of the other public bodies in the city ; but before handing it over, the Commissioners to make, say, seven or eight acres as tit for sports of all kinds as the Barrack-green was before they cut it up. After the grounds were laid out, there would be ample funds always, by letting the grounds for sports of all kinds, to keep the shrubberies, 1 lower-gardens, footpaths, fences, ic., in good order. By this means a very nice, pleasant promenade will be provided for our citizens at their very doors, and a good ground for our youth to indulge iu football, cricket, and all other manly exercises. In fact, sir, it is the candid opinion of several people at the present time, that not only could the grounds be kept in lirst-class order with fuuds derived from the grounds, but that before long the trustees would be able to build a gymnasium and racquct court, and then it would be a credit, not only to the city of Auckland, but to the colony of New Zealand.—l am, &0., CIT.