LAKE ST. JOHN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19031, 30 May 1925, Page 7

LAKE ST. JOHN.

Sir, —To suggest that in order to provide playing fields it is necessary to drain Lako St. John is absurd when a far finer and much more conveniently-situ. ated site, also in Remuera, could be made at Hobson Bay or in that magnificent natural ampitheatre, the Orakei Basin, both of which arc about to be reclaimed by the construction of the waterfront railway and with a road direct from the city. Playing fields on a land-locked site like Lake St. John would surely be very liable to floods after heavy rain such as we have had recently. Nearly all the finest parks in any country owe their charm largely to a sheet of water, and to drain Lake St John would spoil what otherwise promises to be in future a very beautiful park. Light effects over water are infinitely more varied and beautiful than they are over landscape. Witness the enormous prices paid for sections with a water view in Remuera. K. 11.8. Sir,—lt would appear that " J.P., Ellerslie," has never really seen the lake from a close view. To call it a pestilent, mosquitcr-breeding mudhole of stagnant water is quite erroneous, I live near the lake and the water is always sweet and clear, even in the driest summer. We never see a mosquito here, which is, perhaps, more than J. P. can say of Ellerslie. Might I add my suggestion to the many others which have been made ? Reduce the lake to a quarter of its size. Make good, firm banks around it. Plant them with Willows and other trees, have boats available for hire, etc., and what could be nicer as a picnic ground ? There would still be over a hundred acres available as playing areas, Which would be sufficient for the next 500 years. A.W.O.