PICTURESQUE DOMAIN

Taranaki Daily News, 13 October 1931, Page 8

PICTURESQUE DOMAIN

ONE OF TOWN’S ASSETS.

BEAUTY OF THE SURROUNDINGS.

One of Patea’s greatest assets is its picturesque and well-kept domain, this contains an oval sportsground used for football in winter and cricket and athletics in summer. It possesses a. grandstand and dressing shed facilities for players. Adjacent there are . tennis courts, croquet lawns and a children’s playground fitted with swings and seesaws. The 'latter is a gift from the estate of the late Mr. Hunter S.haw. A pretty plantation affords shelter from the south winds as well as adding beauty and charm to the surroundings. At the domain entrance a set of memorial gates does honour to the memory of about 60 of the district’s brave sons, whose names are inscribed on panels on the four gate posts. These represent the four divisions of the district: “Whenuakura and Opaku,” “Patea/ “Kakaramea, Alton and Hurleyville, and “Manutahi.” . Splendid facilities for touring motorists are offered in the domain, where not only are there picturesque sites among the plantation, but there are water, fireplace, lavatories and <pielter conveniences as well. As it is direct y adjacent to the main road, lawmakers could do much worse than call in and spend a night at the latea Domain camping ground. Some years ago the domain vyas routili, unkempt and neglected, ihc citizens had become apathetic in regard to

their heritage. The domain authorities were in debt to the extent of £l3O. A number of enthusiastic residents decided, to alter this state of affairs. They formed a sportsground committee . and set about 'raising funds by carnivals and sports meetings. Within a lew months the. sum of £lBOO had been obtained and this was ultimately expended in making the place attractive, ine work undertaken included .erection of dressing. rooms, grandstand, camp sites, ticket boxes, railing around the oval, and ornamental entrance gates and war memorial slabs.. ' ■ ... This achievement is; very fred* * to the people of Patpa, and is novv a source of enjoyment t<? hoth local residents and visitors, , <