IMPORTANT PARK SCHEME.

Waikato Times, Issue 12860, 6 May 1914, Page 4

IMPORTANT PARK SCHEME.

CILVJIttIAX'S SUGGESTIONS. V 1 -i Suggestions embodying ;i comprehensive scheme for. dealing with Hamilton's park lands wore submitted at last night's mooting 01 the Domain Board. la this matter the chairman said that hist year the Hoard passed a resolution to prepare a scheme for dealing with the nark lands. After studying the ground he ventured to put before them suggestions, to promote their further consideration, so that ultimately they might form a complete" phi). With regard to the Lake Heserve, he thought they should not attempt to make it a garden or cultivated park. The situation was too cold and bleak, and the best effect would be produced by maintaining rustic simplicity. He suggested that they plant large quantities of hardy forest trees on .the lower slopes, which later would lie thinned out, and walks made. The central s"iur and the higher ground could be planted with groups of trees with grass between. Only the hardiest trees, however, would stand the severe conditions of the situation. The level valley at the north end should be grassed and surrounded by trees. Afterwards it could be made a small enclosure for deer or other animals, and a walk could be made along the higher ground. Seats should also he provided. The edge of the lake should lie cleared of rushes and ti-trce, the hanks grassed to the water's edge, and portion nl the lake enclosed with an artificial island, and stocked with ornamental waterfowl. On the central slone should be erected the caretaker's lodge, an artistic building not detracting from its .surroundings. Thus live stock could lie looked after: and hot water and light refreshments provided for visitors, avoiding the necessity for lighting fires. Soddon Park and sections 8, 7. ~>. and 4 of the West Holt should be dealt with as a whole. Section S, the triangle between London street and Rosstievor street, and the trout of section 7 and the triangular portion of Soddon Park, between the cricket ground and London street, should be hid out as gardens, and possibly grass tennis lawns. That entrance to Hamilton would then he a beauty snot instead of the present eyesore. In Soddon Park at the edge of the cricket ground should be a lawn for spectators, and at the hack a drive for carriages and motors to stand. The entrance gave would bo moved to correspond. The cricket ground should be carried at the s»me level for another three chains in the direction of the railway. Heyond that and between the (Ticket ground and the railway should lie a larga plantation of trees, forming a background to the cricket field regarded from the navilion. A deep drain should lie cut from Hineinoa street t'i Soddon road to cut off the water from the surrounding country and to drain the cricket ground. With regard to sections 7. •"). and I. known as the Chinamen's (hardens, the frontage should he laid out as ornamental grounds, and the whole of the remaining land, back to the new extension of Mill street, should 1... levelled, drained, and grassed as a snorts field. In years to come they would have large parks and nlavgrounds in Hamilton Las-. At present, however, they had onlv to deal with Steele Park. Th> work there appeared to be to extend the playing Held, either liv e:d:«rging the bicycle track or bv adding another field alongside, •"id to develoo the surroundingas ;- oark or garden with walk.-. He did not s r ..r L r,. Sl ,],.,; ~n t | l()M , , V(l| .] <S should he out- in hand imniediatelv. A proper scheme would take months to consider, and they could get the best professional assist-uiee. IvMthwork could best be lefl till after the winter. but Hie plaining season was upon then:, and they should at once decide the planting for the season. Tiie ehairnian added that he had invited Mr Pearson, the curator of the Auckland Domain. To visit Hamilton. and go over the nark lands. It was decided that the Hoard members, with the chairman, accompany .Mr Pearson, with the object of obtaining further suggestions.