DARLOW PARK OPENED

Taranaki Daily News, 17 December 1926, Page 6

DARLOW PARK OPENED

PLAYGROUND FOR INGLEWOOD. SCHOOL BREAKING-IT CEREMONY. Inglewood now possesses what is undoubtedly a great asset in every town — a well-equipped children’s playground, Darlow Park haring been officially opened yesterday by Mr. E. Walter, M.l\ in the presence of a very large and representative attendance and in perfect weather conditions. The park has been very appropriately named Darlow Park, for it was the result of the efforts of the Mayor of Inglewood, in the face of strong opposition, that the Borough Council purchased the area of one and three-quarter acres that comprises the park, for £250 out of an endowment fund held for town improvement purposes. As the result of a carnival queen competition enthusiastically conducted, the sum of £670 was raised for equipping and improving the area, and Inglewood now possesses one of the most charming playgrounds in Taranaki. The park has a narrow frontage to the Junction Road, just on Che New Plymouth side of the Waiongouaiti stream, which, with a fringe of native trees, bounds it on the one side. It is well sheltered and has ou the other side a sloping bank which has bgen planted with pungas. The ground, an extensive level area, has been grassed and equipped with ten swings, boat swings, merry go round, ocean wave, see-saws, roek-a-bye, a 30ft chute and baby chute; in fact, everything that the child could delight in with the possible exception of a sand pool, which is to be provided shortly. There is also a water fountain, and about a dozen gardeu seats set in concrete beds for the comfort of those looking after the children. A hall has been constructed along the river, and further proposed improvements include a pavilion. The equipping of the swings, ete., was in the hands of M. E. J. Brittain, and cost over £3OO. It was indeed a merry throng that Was present at the opening yesterday, every appliance being fully patronised, and it is certain that during the coming holidays Darlow Park will be the rendezvous of all the children of the town.

Mr. Darlow, in thanking Mr. Walter, M.P., for coming to Inglewood, remarked that the attendance on such a fine day was fully representative of Inglewood. Asqrll knew, there was considerable opposition to the scheme when it was first mooted, and he wished to extend to the opponents his sincere thanks for their opposition, as it was partly on that account that the people of Inglewood had awakened to the fact that the park would be such an asset. But for the opposition the interest in the scheme might have been more haphazard. However, all the opposition had now been dissipated, and all were united in agreeing that the ground would be a great asset to the town. The children had been given something that they could appreciate, and he hoped they would do their best to preserve it. Though nominally the control rested in the Borough Council, the real control would be left in the hands of those who used it, and it was therefore their duty to protect it as it was an asset obtained for their particular benefit. He thanked all those present at the gathering, and particularly the ladies, who were to entertain the children. A PRICELESS GIFT. Mr. Walter, in opening the park, said the first thing that struck him was the priceless gift that the Borough Council was giving the people of the district for all time. After this it behoved all the people of the district to be loyal to the town, as it was a wonderful present for the children of the town and country. The Borough Council had done its share and it was now for the country residents to push Inglewood along. Inglewood had not progressed much during the past few years, but the time was coming when, with the increase of population in the districts around it, the town would grow. It was with great pleasure that he declared the park open, as it was not often that he had the opportunity of opening such a wellequipped playground, which would be appreciated more and more as the town grew. The gift, he said, was entirely due to the efforts of the Mayor (Mr. S. R. Darlow). If he had not pushed it they would never have had the pleasure of declaring the Darlow Park open. (Applause.) Prior to opening the park, opportunity was taken to present the school prizes. Mr. Walter congratulated the children on their success at school, and trusted that when they went into the w d after their school life, they would ho forget there w’as a top as well as a bottom to the ladder. He urged them to keep on trying and not to give up because someone else appeared to be doing better than they. If they looked back they would see they were doing better than the next man.

Mr. Walter presented the prizes as follows: — Standard I.—General proficiency: Lorha Sutton 1, Leslie, Arnold 2, Clifford Pullen 2, Rita Archibald 4, June Wright 5, John Gall G. Specials for good eonduct: Joyce Collins. Diligence: Peggy Armstrong (both specials presented by Miss A. McKee). Sewing: Violet Langtnan. Standard IT.—Proficiency: Herbert Lougboftom 1, Rhoda Matthews 2, Ruby Thompson 3, John Barrack 4, Y’iolet Blackburn 5, Iris Ludeman 6. Handwork (specials presented by Miss Tarry): Douglas Mumby 1, John Barrack 2. Neat books (specials presented by Miss Tarry): Norman Wright 1, Lionel Old 2, Grace Walsh 3. Standard lll.—General proficiency fiirk. Muriel Feaver, Hilda Gall; boys, Geoffrey Yeates, lan Grant. ProgressMolly Julian and Herbert Collins. Industry (Mrs. Kenrick’s special): Girls. Betty Julian; boys (Mrs. Burnip’s special), Harold Chard. Standard IV.—General Proficiency: Kingston Braybrooke 1. Iris King 2, Ixm Bush 3, Rodney Paul 4. Clifford Bocock 6. Gorden Petch 6, Hazel Bridgeman and Arthur Bevin (equal) 7. Most industrious in class; Frank Gudgeon (presented by Mrs. M. Sutherland), John Pullen (presented by his class teacher). Standard V.—General proficiency: Douglas Lamb I, Eunice Peterson 2, Jean Baker 3, Jack Longbottom 4. Standard VL—General -proficiency: Kenneth Peterson and Doreen Alleman (equal) 1, Ruth Paulger 2, Agnes Parfitt 3, Lionel King 4. Special (composition): Edward Ladbrook. Dux of School (Mr. lan Grant s special). —Malcolm Sutton. Sewing Prizes. —Standard III.: Dulcie Larsen. Standard IV; Iris King. Standard V.: Jean Baker. Standard VI.: Ida Bridgman (last two specials presented by Mrs. J. R. Sutherland) Special Prize for Script Writing

(Messrs. H. I. Jones and Son’s Egmont Pen Competition).—Una Frewin. Mr. Walter presented Mr. Henderson, headmaster of the school, with a handsomely bound volume of Wordsworth’s poems from Standard VL, all of whom had obtained their proficiency certificates. Mr. Henderson, in acknowledging the gift, expressed the hope that ail would become good citizens, remarking that he always heard of the success of his old pupils with feelings of pride. Mr. Henderson presented Miss Tarry with a box of handkerchiefs from the girls of the basketball team, as an appreciation of her work as coach Miss Tarry suitably acknowledged. After the opening ceremony a very interesting programme was given by the school children, comprising mostly folk songs and dancing. Mr. Henderson briefly outlined the history of folk music. The children had been carefully trained by Misses McKee and Tarry, and they showed the result in their graceful movements. The items submitted were: Folk Dance, ‘‘Sellingers’ Round and Rufty Tufty”: “Baby Girls’ Danee”; recitation, ‘Three Old Ladies,” T. Hine; “Old Sea Chanty”; dialogue, “To-day and To-morrow,” Kingston Braybrook and Terence Hine; Irish folk song, “Bonnie Blue Kerchief”; recitation, “Rain in Summer,” Kingston Braybrooke; “Japanese Fan Song”; folk danee, “Jennie Pluck Pears.” Misses Tarry and McKee played the accompaniments. Subsequently the children were regaled with ices and sweets and the adults with afternoon tea provided by a committee of ladies organised by Mesdames H. Winter, L. G. Pope and T. Lindsay. Enjoyment was added to the afternoon’s proceedings by a programme of music rendered by t)|e Inglewood Municipal Band under the baton of Conductor Murfitt.