QUEEN’S PARK.

Southland Times, Issue 17468, 7 October 1913, Page 2

QUEEN’S PARK.

To the Editor. Sir,—Since much mis-apprehension exists in regard to the position of The Beautifying Society's scheme for tho laying-off of Queen’s Park, I crave space that 1 may make it clear. It has been stated by Councillors that the design of this .class of work is not such as should be undertaken by an architect, but that a gardener only is the proper person for it. Now, Sir, though there may be exceptions, such work is the' especial. function of the “Town Planner,” be lie architect, engineer. dr garden craftsman. The great majority of town planners are architects. and men of that profession are at present carrying out the best of modern parks and designing improvements to many old ones. The two foremost authorities of to-day on town planning are, tfs might be expected, architects. One of these lias been commissioned to’lay out and design the park and grounds of Tho Hague Palace of Peace. He has already also carried out Pittencrieff Park, Dumfermline; Hanley Public Park, Staffordshire: Lever Park. Bolton and others. The parks and boulevards of Paris and Vienna were designed by, and are being further improved and extended by, architects; while the great State Avenue to the front of Buckingham Palace is the work of the foremost English architect of to-day. I could multiply examples. There is, therefore, nothing incongruous in an architect preparing a scheme for the bones of Queen’s Park, Invercargill. My scheme was prepared at the request of the Beautifying Society and quite gratuitously. Cr. Haggitt was a member then of 1 the Committee. It was submitted to tho Town Council, and the Council tvas asked to adopt at leas’t its main principles, that by starting the great central avenue the then Government’s promised grant of £ for £ up to £250, to record, the Coronation .of our present King, might be secured. Tho Council hesitated to commit itself to such extravagance, and the chance was ill but lost,! Avhen Mr J. D. McGruer generously pfave the necessary £250, 'which tvas supplemented by other citizens to the extent of another £IOO. vMr McGruer made his donation through the then Mayor, Cr Ott, yet that gentleman's memory is so' bad that he stated last Thursday Mr McGruer had originated the idea.

.Later, a deputation from the Society iskcd, the Council to accept the whole tcheme in principle, but not necessarily hi detail, that the Society might appeal to the public for funds to a definite end, with, the idea that the scheme be executed piecemeal, and probably over a very lengthened period. To this the .Council agreed, and reduced copies of the plan were prepared and circulated at considerable cost. Acting in good faith the Society lias since organised the Carnival about to eventuate, and lias at considerable cost had a inbdel made of the proposed park and its monuments, making this the central feature of the Carnival. . \ '

When la,st in Invercargill the late Mr John Peldwick called on me and asked to see my plan. He studied it closely, and discussed It fully, eventually .expressing his appreciation, and comparing it very favourably with some of the great parks, lie had seen, and in which I found lie took a great interest. Moreover, he on two occasions visited my own little garden—once in ' company with with- Mr Tait —and took nb small notice of, its arrangement. His subsequent bequest has made it possible now to proceed-with Queen's Park. Now we Ind Councillors pooh-poohing the Society's influence in obtaining this and the former donations.' and seeking by unfair criticism of work they evidently do not understand to justify their putting on one side ndt only the design, which has already accomplished so much, but also in refusing its author the right and the town the benefit of his conferring with an outsider, who is expected to evolve a new scheme in conjunction with the Corporation gardener it a cost not to exceed £lO. Since the Council meeting of last Thursday a paragraph in your contemporary has dated that no slight is intended, and that my plan will be placed before Mr Tannock: but that I regard as a very poor explanation of the Council’s emphatic' refusal to allow of my presence even, before their Council Committee and gardener, already declaredly hostile. , Cr. Haggitt’s explanation in your issue of Saturday is incorrect where he says I made no adequate provision for recreation. It is evident lie either does not understand or lias not studied the plan. It provides 7.8 1 acres in good solid blocks, all suitable for that purpose, and made up as follows —Two each IT acres, 8 acres, and i\' 2 acres; one sacli !) and 2% acres; also smaller areas of half-acre and upwards if required, in addition there are also the present tennis, croquet, and howling greens, and 'he present Park School grounds. I need 'lardly mention that the town is already otherwise liberally supplied with qiorts and recreation grounds in its many reserves, and by Rugby Park. Some 'of the most prominent golfers have assured me there is ample provision made for Municipal golf links. It is open to question if the present popu'arity of tills game will last, and if it Is not too costly for any but those of fair means." Cr Haggitfs idea of my park scheme for a ten-acre patch is absurd, and only consistent With la is past advocacy in the Society of doing ■-mall tilings to please the public. He then declared my scheme too big. It Pas at least procured the town its larjest bequest to date. Cr.' Lennie was not correct in stat"ng my view of Mr Tannock coming. I L .old him I would welcome Mr Tannock’s irilicism, and that it would give the Council confidence, as before when outride assessors placed my Town Hall sell erne an easy first, though the local Council could see little good in It or in ,v local man. The emphatic decision of Jast Thursday that I should not be consulted. but that only my plan should be seen, is a deliberate slight to the Bea’utifying Society and the large number of citizens behind it. The fact is the Council and its gardener resent the existence of the Society as a reflection on themselves, and they fail In their opportunity of leading it and turning its efforts and influence to good purpose, as Pas been done by the Dunedin Council tnd Mr Tannock. and in other towns in Vow Zealand smaller than tills. In my-opinion the Council is justified .In ha-ving outside expert advice on so arge ah undertaking if they have not ponfidence in the local advice, but there s a manly way of proceeding, which would also be more politic and just.—l ..mi, etc.. KDMUXD R.WJLSOX. Invercargill. October ith. 191.1.