THE NEW SITE FOR THE REFUGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9244, 22 December 1888, Page 3

THE NEW SITE FOR THE REFUGE.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —I was one amongst many others who marvelled at the sudden change of front which Mr. Atkin executed when ho announced himself as now favourable to building a Refuge, even though the Hospital site could not be had for the purpose. I could not understand it, but it is all clear now. The stout defenders of the Abattoirs at the Western Springs have had to give way, and now join with the others in voting them a nuisance. But the other day Mr. Crowther declared the city could not do without the income derivable from this establishment, which had cost the city £5000. But the income is falling off from many causes, and the paddocks won't let. Therefore the whole concern is a " nuisance," and must be got rid of. And what better use could the Council put it to than to " lease" it for a Refuge ? It is jusb the place. Such a splendid effectually sheltered by the pumping station chimney from the westerly gales of the Manukau, and by Motion's mill from the north-west! And the grounds, too, so nice and level —when you get on to them— and so rich in verdure, and so admirably laid out! And the buildings—they, of course, go with the "lease." They are exactly adapted for a Refuge— ten of them ! Just a coat of paint outside, and a daub of whitewash inside, and an hour or two with the hose—and the thing is done ! The old folks could be so nicely- " classified," too, in these structures ! The respectable could bo kept apart from the vulgar, and the refractory from the docile and feeble. Then there's the cottages buildings admirably preservedand they of course will be thrown in. I was almost forgetting tho new piggeries, with the perennial stream of water flowing through them, just the places for hot and cold baths, drained right out to sea." But the grand idea of all is that bridge, and the fishing to be had there. And look at that sylvan dejl of a road leading from the old tannery down to the rustic mill. Is there anything so picturesque as that rural lane? That alone ought to "fetch" the members of the Charitable Aid Board on Monday next. Let them take the trouble to travel on it, and compare its beautiful hills and dales, its winding paths ' and its gullies and fissures with the miserable unromantic roads leading to Epsom or EUerslie. Mr. Atkin says that bridge and the fishing and the journey thither will keep the old folks from quarrelling. lam quite sure of it. The whole scheme is welldevised, and reflects great credit on Billington, whoever he is, or on those who instructed him to make the "suggestion" to the Council. Mr. Smith wants to get rid of the other " nuisances "in the same way. I don't exactly know what they are, but suppose they aro the other slaughterhouse and boiling-down shops. Well, I heard a member of the Charitable Aid Board mumbling the other day about tho want of a home for deserted youngsters, and a proper reformatory for young blackguards. Let Mr. Smith " suggest" to Billing ton to "suggest" to the Council to "suggest" to the Charitable jßoard to work up the other " nuisances" yn the same way by "leasing" them for these beneficent purposes. They are surely as well adapted for schools and reformatories as the Abattoirs are for refuges. Then «his " nuisance" is to be had on easy terms, it seems—one-fourth cash, I suppose, and the balance at five per cent, for seven years. That ought to clench the bargain right off, and the Board should nob hesitate an hour, but "fix it up" on the spot on Monday. The business part of the matter is the thing, an d far outweighs any sentimental consideration about volcanic soil, easy access for visiting ladies and friends, or shelter and shades and other genial surroundings. Don't bother about Costley and his will, and the old folks. Spend as little of his money as you can, and take this concern on " easy terms " and rid the city of & "nuisance." But if the Board is stupid, and won't "see it," could some other Billington suggest that it is quite possible to remove all the nuisances from the banks of the Waitemata to the shores of the Tamaki —from the west to the east side of the city —out of the line of the prevailing winds, and whence the fumes and smells would be blown out to sea instead of into the citycommon sense and sanitary science "suggest " this at apy rate.— am, etc., ■ - " ' Spectator*