GILLIES' ESTATE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15567, 26 March 1914, Page 10

GILLIES' ESTATE.

Sir, — I be allowed to add my measure of praise to the Mayor for his unceasing efforts to gain for all time a beautiful health-giving spot like Gillies Estate, to which women may take their little ones during their few leisure afternoon hours for a breath of fresh air ? The Domain has been suggested as a substitute, but what mother would send her little ones there, except on a public holiday, and then the strictest supervision is needed to guard against vehicular traffic. But think of the joy of entering a lovely spot like the Gillies Estate, and there watching the children enjoying a garden equal, if not superior, to that of the wealthiest man in Auckland. One of your correspondents refused to vote for Gillies Park because the new grade of his road disappointed him. How like that is to the boy who refused milk pudding because plum duff was denied him. I would urge him to think of the disappointment to his wife and children should this park be denied them, and to do his part towards making them happy. Another of your correspondents expresses fears lest the upkeep of our parks be too great. I understand on good l authority, that we spend in Auckland, without a murmur, £80.000 per annum on picture shows. 1 do not presume to say how much or how little we should spend in the upkeep of parks, but it-is obvious that we spare no expense in personal pleasures. I would urge the ratepayers to do for our little ones what the children cannot do for themselves, and there are hundreds of them living within from 10 to 20 minutes' walk of this estate. H.R