EVENTS OF THE DAY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 5734, 1 November 1905, Page 4

EVENTS OF THE DAY.

THE WORK OF PARLIAMENT

The curtain was rung down on the session of 1905 at 8.17 a.in. yesterday. Keviewing the work of “one of the most interesting and unique sessions in the history of the Now Zealand Parliament,” the Premier said, notwithstanding the serious drawback through a matter which occupied much time, the laws passed wore of a more important and far-reaching character, and also exceded in bulk, those placed on the statute-book of any other expiring session of any Parliament ho had known. Members had no reason to regret tho result of their labours, so far as their enactments were concerned, particularly in regard to old ago pensions, the provision made for school teachers, and tho classification of tho Civil Sendee. In tho latter respect they had done what had been attempted twenty years ago and had since lain dormant. Then there were also'tho increased pay and lighter hours to the railway servants, in connection with which his colleague. Sir Joseph Ward, had been engaged long before tho session began. All this bad entailed increased expenditure, and those benefited would feel satisfied that Parliament had done its duty by them. Altogether ho believed that, compared with the results achieved by other expiring Parliaments, the work of the present Parliament would stand out in bold relie'f. Wo have’no fault to find with the Premier’s optimistic opinion of the past session; but wo are glad to notice that in his ©numeration of tho legislation passed of which members may bo proud he docs not include the Criminal Code Amendment Act, which makes but a partial attempt at placing the law of libel upon a proper tooting.

A SUGGESTED RECREATION GROUND. Our disclosure of the need for the costly and frequent replacement of the rails at the many sharp curves of the city tramway system has attracted, attention to the possibility of minimising expense by improving the curves. Some of the worst turns in tho system are those necessitated in negotiating tho Basin Reserve. Tho corner rails there have severely felt tho strain of tho last year’s traffic; and tho Cfitv Engineer, specially consulted on tho matter, gives them only another year’s life. Sooner or later, 'it is admitted, tho trams will have to run through the Basin Reserve, not so much, perhaps, on account of tho serious wear and tear on rails and cars in sawing round tho four curves, as on account of the time lost in making tho detour. Before the Basin Reserve is taken, however, it is imperative that some place, or places, should bo secured as sports grounds not as cricket grounds solely, bo it understood. And recreation grounds must be found, not only to compensate for tho loss, or partial loss, of tho Basin Reserve, but to cope with tho rapidly increasing population. Wo believe that the district system of managing cricket and football in Wellington—now on the tapis—is tho first step to relievo the situation. Such a rearrangement will cxcito district patriotism to the extent that each district will feel compelled to secure its own ground. There if an admirable site in a sheltered spot, ten minutes’ walk from the heart of the city, where, with a judicious expenditure of money, a capital recreation ground could bo formed—tho low-lying portion of tho Town Belt between tho Nairn street reserve and the Ohiro road. A good deal of levelling would ho required, but the two or three ridges of hills that taper down to the level could be utilised for the filling-in, and with the Brooklyn tramway embankment, which blocks the main gully below, a natural basin is formed that lends ’ itself easily to tho requirements of a recreation ground at least four acres in extent. The Brooklyn tramway will almost encircle it; and the surrounding hills terraced would make the site a natural Colosseum.