ACCLIMATIZATION GROUNDS.

Observer, Volume 9, Issue 523, 29 December 1888, Page 3

ACCLIMATIZATION GROUNDS.

A casual visitor to Auckland would probably find his way to the Acclimatization Grounds, within the precincts of the Domain. After a glance or two at the flowers and trees, he would find himself debating as to the probable age of the aviaries and conservatories. At present they are fast mouldering to decay, and are not fit for the tenancy of anything worth preservation. Lately a gorgeously-plumaged Indian or Chinese pheasant used to mope upon his perch there, reminding one of a king imprisoned in a dnngeon.. It must have been pleasant for him to listen to the carol ot the lark outside. If an exhibition of this sort is necessary at all, why in the name of patience is it not worth doing well. If as appearances seem to hint, it is not worth taking any trouble about, then by all means let those unsightly, damp, unsavoury, and mouldy edifices be- obliterated, and something put there that would please the eye, and be useful in its way in some manner or another. * * # ■ j While those melancholy structures are untenanted, those who take their walks abroad do not care to stop and contemplate their unwholesome decay, and ruin. If the gardens are to be utilized by the society for the benefit of the public, why is there no admhsion on a public holiday until about one o'clock ? If a Queensland alligator were exhibited on such an occasion, people would willingly pay their sixpence for. admission; but I fail , to see why a place so well -known- for. its emptiness should be parade^ as ah 7enclo6hW*>f some, occuli mystery; 7and; absbhitely: : shut until: it pkases- the authorities " to. cfpen it.

One thing I would suggest .-that *• if any rare Bpecimens of our New Zealand birds are to be exhibited there, m common humanity it would be well to. pull down all those old sheds, and erect new ones on a better site, where more warmth and air would be enjoyed by the captives. For' an aviary to be placed under thick manuka forest, where the roof accumulates ali the autumn foliage and drippings of every shower, does not seem to be a judicious selection of position ; and a wall or black fence to make one side of the prison house exclude as much light and air as if deprivation of either was the sole object at-** tempted. # "#• * Under favourable circumstances the gardens in the Domain should be a place of popular resort. Our local musicians might figure there during a summer promenade, etc., and the strains would add a welcome charm on these occasions to the labyrinthine glades of the domain itself. Whilst referring to this locality, it seems to be within the recollection of many Aucklanders that the stagnant green -pond, supposed to be a trout hatching reservoir, once possessed waters limpid and clear as the Waiternata itself. By what process of discouragement or mismanagement this had come to pass, I cannot say. But it seems that a great deal of fuss is always made at first about these ' fads ' or hobbies— and then the whole affair collapses.