SOUTH PARK.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11029, 18 March 1914, Page 6

SOUTH PARK.

IMPROVEMENTS WANTED. SUPPORT FOR MR ELL'S SCHEME. Mr H. G. Ell, M.P., waited on tlve Riccarton Borough Council last evening and spoke on the subject, of improving tho south end of Hagley Park between 1 lu» Hospital and Riccarton Roadj which; part is the Riccarton Borough's boundary. Mr Ell stated that at. present tho view of the park was shut out lrom pedestrians on the road, through the presence of a live fence. 'lbe park here was in dire need of attention and was in a very ragged condition. In some partes cocksfoot was growing two or three feet high. Tho bridges were in a, very shaky condition. This was-a matter of interest to Riccarton people in particular and to the whole of the people in Ghristchurch. What was wanted was the removal of the present live hedge and a new standard fence placed inside the second' row of trees. The place provided v orie of the mast delightful walks about Christchurcli, and it was being allowed to go to waste. He had brought the need of effecting this improvement before the Domain Board in 1911,. hut it was then not in a position to effiect any improvement's. He suggested that the Council should Keep the grass cut down if the Domain Board carried out its part and removed the fence. Ho asked councillors to go and see the place for themselves.

The cost of maintenance would be a mere bagatelle. He hoped they could see their way to co-operate with the Domain Board in this matter. Councillor "White asked if it was not a fact that the road along that part was a stock road. He thought that if the fence were removed the stock would stray into the park. Mr EU said that that was an aspect that wouid have to be considered. He thought, however, that the standard fence inside the second row of trees would be sufficient to",keep the animals off the park. The Mayor expressed himself as wholly in accord with Mr Ell's idea. Tliis part of | the park, which provided one of the most beautiful walks about Christchurcli, was in a state of neglect. Another .objection to the place at. present was that ■ undesirable characters had a habit of sleeping under the live fence; with the removal of . the fence this nuisance would cease. He moved that Mr Ell's scheme should have the hearty suppprt.of the Council and that the. Council should undertake, to keep down the grass if nothing more was required, of it. ■ The motion was carried.

The first step in regard to the proposal that is now being discussed was made by the Domnitis Board on April 4, 1911, when Air Ell, who was then :i member, moved that the work should be- proceeded with' when funds were available! ' The motion was seconded by the late Mr T. E. Taylor and"* carried. Some months later,' on July 4, 1911, the chairman of the Board reported that the cost would be £ooo. That sum included the renioval'of the live fence'from the Hospital Corner to MunriingV Cortier, the erection of a light fence inside tKe second row of trees, levelling' the ground, and forming the* footpath'.