REMOVAL OF FENCE AT SYDENHAM PARK ONLY AN EXPERIMENT

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18888, 14 October 1929, Page 13

REMOVAL OF FENCE AT SYDENHAM PARK ONLY AN EXPERIMENT

CITY COUNCIL S ACTION DEFENDED BY CHAIRMAN OF WORKS COMMITTEE. A defence of the decision of the City Council to remove the fence from Sydenham Park was made by Councillor F. R. Cooke, chairman of the Works Committee, when speaking at the opening of the Sydenham Bowling Club’s new pavilion on Saturday. Councillor Cooke stated that the removal of the fence was only an experiment. "In trying to improve the beauty spot of Sydenliam, the park, the council has been met with some objections by some members of this club,” said Councillor Cooke. “ Well, it is unintentional.” be added. “ Why did you take the fence away ? ” called out someone from the crowd. “ We advised the people through the papers what we intended doing,” continued Councillor Cooke. “ Ever since , I have been in Christchurch, thirty years, I have been watching that avenue of silver birches growing They have been hidden by that iron fence. By taking the fence down, a beautiful walk through that avenue has been made s variable to the people of Sydenham.” He added that the two best buildings in Sydenham were the old council chambers and the new lire station, md to let the people enjoy these build;ng« and the park, the conveniences were to be shifted back- He thought that some of the sports were slightly selfish There were no flower beds in the park because of the sports. It had been found that if they were to have flower beds, they would have to encroach on the cricket ground by seven yards. The people of Sydenham had some rights and at least fourteen yards should be available for flower beds. Such a step would improve the park added the speaker. In any case the removal of the fence was just an ex periment for a couple of months, but he hoped that the results would justify the *tep that had been taken.