OPENING OF THE NEWTOWN PARK.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 6439, 2 December 1881, Page 6

OPENING OF THE NEWTOWN PARK.

The formal opening of the Newtown Recreation Ground was celebrated on Saturday, Nov. 12th, the inaugural ceremony being performed by his Worship the Mayor of the City (Mr. Hutchison), assisted by several of the t ity Councillors. The civic party started from Lambton-quay in a tramcar drawn by four dark bays, whose manes and tails were plaited and otherwise decorated with ribbons, in honor of the occasion. Immediately following the carriage occupied by the City Councillors were other cars, some of which were drawn by steam motors, whilst others were hauled by horsepower ; and here it may be mentioned that, although an unusual amount of trafic passed over the line during the whole of the afternoon, and several hundreds of excursionists, in addition to the ordinary passenger-traffic, which, of necessity, is much larger on the last day of the week than on any other, not a single hitch or accident, so far ashas been ascertained, occurred. The arrangements of the Tramway Company appeared to be almost perfect, and the result cannot fail to be eminently satisfactory both to the company and their patrons. On arrival at the ground, the Mayor briefly addressed the assemblage. His Worship remarked that he experienced very great pleasure in being called upon to dedicate that particular portion of the municipal estate to the. uses of the public. The City Council had spent a large sum of money, combined with trouble, and the result was that the Park was sufficiently advanced towards completion to open it for the season on that occasion. The Council in their labors had been ably assisted by Mr Baird, the City Surveyor. Arrangements had already been made, and others were in course of progress, by which lawn tennis, athletic sports, &0., could periodically be held on the grounds t r the delectation of the citizens. He hoped in time to see that, in addition to the convenience and entertainment of the rising population of the city, the comfort of their elders would be studied, and that seats would be provided f for the older inhabitants, who would thus be permitted to view the healthful sports of the younger people, and be able to recall “the halcyon days of yore.” The Com; oil intended to construct walks, &c., in which young maidens and their beaux might enjoy “lovers’ walks” in the pure air, and thus be allured from baser amusements. The grounds they were now dedicating would henceforth be the common heritage of every citizen of Wellington for all time to come, and he expressed the hope that every man would constitute himself a kind of special constable, and in his own person preserve order and assist to the utmost of his power in conserving the property of the city in the Park. ‘ Mr E. Dixon, the Vice-President of the Wellington Cricketing Association, desired, on behalf of the cricketers of the city, to express

his thanks to the City Council for the liberal manner in which they had laid out the reserve. Indeed, he felt convinced there was not a single person amongst those present who would not be grateful to the Council for the spirit they had evinced in forming the ground. X'he opening proceedings were terminated by ringing cheers being given for the Mayor and the members of the City Council, also for Mr E. Dixon, who was referred to by his Worship as the “father of cricket in Wellington.” X’he Newtown Reserve was fully described in the columns of the New Zealand ’Times some time since. It consists of an area of about seven acres, 01-'sely fenced, and forms a portion of some 70 acres, reserved by the Crown and vested in the City Council. This body has spent a large sura of money in beautifying the grounds, which are surrounded by upwards of 10,000 young trees and shrubs. The soil is decidedly against the growth of either trees or grass, and it is almost a pity that the imperative necessity of providing a cricket ground for the city this season has necessitated the reserve being thrown open for play. The grass is springing up luxuriantly, but signs are not wanting to lead to the belief that careful nurture, frequent mowing, and constant watering and rolling will be absolutely essential, if anything like a decent wicket is to be preserved till Boxing Day.