PUBLIC DOMAINS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 288, 8 May 1914, Page 4

PUBLIC DOMAINS.

UNDER MUNICIPAL CONTROL WESTERN PARK.

In saying farewell to the New Plymouth Borough Council on Wednesday, Mr, G. W. Browne, the late Mayor, made special reference to the work done by the Western Park Committee, of whitfh lie is chairman, and referred to the Park as an object lesson as to what could be done on a limited income under municipal control.

It ia doubtful whether many of the New Plymouth people know just what an asset to the town the Park is. A visit to the reserve opens the eyes of the visitor and impresses hint not a. little with the amount of work accomplished in the ten years which havo elapsed since the Park (then unimproved land) was handed over to the town in exchange for Poverty Flat. The first committee, Messrs G. W. Browne ' (chairman), 0. Carter, J. S. S. Medley and C. Ahier (representatives of tbo Borough Council), with three representatives of the ratepayers, Messrs L. W. Alexander, J. C. George and W. H. Skinner, then got to work, and by the' aid of a revenue of £6O per annum, and appeals to the public, mod* the park what it is to-day, the cost entailed being about £IOOO. For the past two years all improvements effected have been paid for out of revenue alone. The Park comprises about 20 acres. An entrance gate (which at present is far too paltry-looking for the beauty of the park) leads to the slopes whichrise on all sides of the playing field, and which could readily be completely terraced. To the right is a fine triangular plot, well planted, with a space reserved in front for a possible tea kiosk* The paths which wind up the hill xbE between flower beds which in the spring will be a blaze of color. All this apace is thickly planted, but there are no trees or shrubs Which at full growth will obscure the fine view.

The hill itself is one chief attractions of the park. It ifShe highest elevation in the town, and the view froi*l it is far beyond that from Hill. On a clear day one can aee a magnificent Bwcep of sea and landscape. From Paritutu and the Sugar Loavds round to the Raitake ranges and Mt. Egmont, sweeping ever around, come Ruapehu, Tongariro and Ngauruhoe; still on, one sees the White Cliffs, Katfhia Point, and the circle completes itself by the seaward horizon to the breakwater again. At the back and below the hill is the well-kept bowling green on land rented by the Weßt End Club. In front of this is a quarter-acre nursery in.which all the trees and shrubs are reared and kept for twelve months before being transplanted. Across the road ia another'lß acres, just newly fenced, all forming part of the reserve. This could easily be turned into a first-class cricket ground; The trams will one day stop outsider the gates of the,park, and it is not hard to imagine this reserve us popular for. recreation as Pukekura Park is fojr natural beauty. More money is required and should be forthcoming, for the reserve is a valuable asset to 13ie town. The progress made under municipal control is' used fcy some people as a cogent argument for central municipal control of all scenic and foreswore reserves, including PukcJ<ura Park and Kotokurp, with a competent expert (such as Mr. W. W. Smith) directing the operations of improvement. Under such a scheme, a ,911 ml! rate would enable much good wovk to be done without unduly increasing the ratepayers' load.