NORTH DUNEDIN AMENITIES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14441, 6 February 1909, Page 5

NORTH DUNEDIN AMENITIES

Sir—Will you kindly enlighten youi readers a-; to who is responsible for the care and oversight of'the' Museum reserve? Some persons think it is Uio City Council, others the.museum authorities, and others, by reason of the postal and polico offices being thereon, that, it must Wong to the Government. Anyhow, to whomsoever it doth belong it is a. disgrace tiiat it should be kept in such a neglected 6tate. With beautiful buildings iu its immediate vioinity the university, the new training college* tho Union street school, and tko musoum, etc., the grounds in- no way match ifche - surroundings. Now that the Parliamentary election has at last boon settled, and that tho municipal elections are approaching, it has been tliought that this is a fitting tune to draw attention to the condition of this reserve. No doubt the new tatming l college will bo opened with eomo eclat by IKS Excellency the Governor, or some other distinguished pcisonage. What a good opportunity it win bo for his Worship the Mayor to point out the state of tho fence* of tho reserve, the smooth surface of the garss, and tho unevoness of the footpaths crowing the reserve, which, after ovecw shower of rain, hold nice little puddles in bio hollows of tho asphalt, because of its unevenness and of tho abscnco of drainage to carry off the .water from the same. But the greatest need of ail ie the lighting of tlio reserve. There is only oao gas lamp, which is carefully shaded by ■ taees on eithor side. No doubt the glimmer through the trees looks very effective, but the Hgbtang from that httup is absolutely useless to perrsoiiß entering the reserve from . oitiier end, and persons entering from' Albany street plunge into thick, daiijiess much to their discomfiture. In fact, on; dark evenings 6ome laxfe will not e'nbor . to cross tire reserve, but they wart near tho fruit shop at tho corner till they sco.someone about to cross from whom they think they might lay claim to some protection. It is the most frequented reservo in Dtmediu and hundreds cross it daily, especially dlir'ang the Gcssion of the university, and- ihuhRtudents by night reem to shuddor ae tliev enter the reserve, and to sigh with relief wlion they cuierjyo therefrom. At present the reserve is woree than usual by reasoikof drarnago from tho museum having been ' laid through it and left in an uncompleted state. At the Cumberland street ontrance thedrainage work cut into tlie asphalt iootpirth, and aa I was leading a, gentleman with infirm eyosight across die reserve two abreast I had to cross the damaged (portion of the footpath, and the wet clay which had gathered them nearly caused' a fall which nn-ght have Iwon somewhat serious. Tho .museum authorities have a workshed at i.he rear of the It. has an iron roof which would be materially improved both.in durability and appearand by a coat of part, which would show, moreover, that the authorities lavo some idea of improving- the surroundings. In .'. /?"[' Ul ° north district - tho residential ixsrtion of tho city-demands attention from the City Cotmoil, and alk energetic committee of influential persons residing therein might do much to assist the rouuoil hi improving iihLs end of the city, there is only one public dbok— that at tho liospita-i which bus chronic ail-mcnta necessitating, its being frequently pl a «xi und(T treatment. The Lcrch. with it, 3 stony bed and broken wall, from Dundas Street to Mm street, patsing through the grounds ana nr front of rJie •uoivor.sitv imjtht l;c materially improved. The North Dunedm reserve and many otbor spotfl deserve consideration—lnrt, onougic' Oiilv Sir. should someone be appointed to in', siwet the museum reserve, (specially by night, be sure he does not inspect it hi bright mooniagte,—l an)j e | Cij J February 4. '' S _ 0 _ p