NO REASONABLE OBJECTION, SAYS MR J.S. BARNETT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18889, 12 October 1929, Page 9

NO REASONABLE OBJECTION, SAYS MR J.S. BARNETT.

DEPUTATION to council TO SUPPORT REMOVAL OF SYDENHAM PARK FENCE. an offset to the deputation from Sydenham School Committee which will protest against the removal of the fence from Sydenham Park, a deputation in support of the scheme is being organised. It will wait on the Council on Monday evening. Mr J. 5- Barnett, who will be one of the deputation, told a reporter that there was a very considerable body of opinion in Sydenham in support of the removal of the fence, an action which would add considerably to the beauty of the park. “Ho Danger to Children.” “The principal complaint of the opposition seems to be the danger to children in crossing the road,” said Mr Bamett. “Yet, situated as the school is, in Colombo Street, the children are exposed to this danger every time they go out the school gates. The removal of the fence, far from being an added danger. will be a safeguard, as the children, and anyone coming out of the park, will have a clear view on either side. There will still be the two rows of trees to prevent children from playing too close to the road. “As to the danger of children running out across the road in chase of a ball, without looking to see if traffic is approaching, the only game in which this is likelv to happen is rounders, and in that game the children at present use the band rotunda as their base and face in the opposite direction to Colombo Street. Those who play football and cricket are old enough to look after themselves. Proposed Improvements. “In any case, the Domains Board has an extensive programme in connection with the park, including the laying out of a garden along the Colombo and Brougham Streets frontages This should effectively fence off the park, it the same time adding to the beauty of it. Another scheme, which is being considered, I understand, is the laying out of the ground at the back of the tennis courts* at present unused, -as a hildren's playground.” floodlights. There was another more serious objection, in that nuisances might arise .hrough having the park open at night, aid Mr Barnett. This could be quite got over, however, if flood lights were erected. Even without them the park would not be in much worse position than it is at present. The iron fence was not much of an obstacle to anyone who really wanted to get into the park. There was also a back gate to the park.