Remarkable Attractions Of Wainoni Park

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 16, Issue 31, 11 December 1950, Page 5

Remarkable Attractions Of Wainoni Park

From P. H. Keyes, Feilding. About haif a century ago Wainoni Park, Christchurch, was one of the greater attractions in that district. Owned by Professor Bickerton and family, it was a most interesting and remarkable place in many ways, the professor himself being one of the world’s outstanding men of science. The park covered several acres of natural bush, intersected by intriguing paths leading to various attractive and restful spots. The various houses and buildings occupied by members of the Bickerton family were a feature. Their walls were constructed of stout paper over a wooden framework. They were of good apearance and very serviceable. .Painted like ordinary homes they stood up to the weather well. Wainoni Park was a favourite place for picnic parties on holidays. It was a full-time job for the Bickerton family looking after the park and the crowds that went there, but they did it well, and there was generally something new to please the people. Children particularly liked the park and the amusements provided especially for them. Professor Bickerton liked nothing better than interesting the visitors in various scientific devices, most of which. were originated by himself. He was adept at illustrating the use of natural laws and effects by means of simple contrivances, which were both instructive and pleasing. Towards evening, the crowd would assemble around a natural amphi-theatre, in the centre of which was a miniature lake. When everybody was comfortably seated the big event of the day wnuld start. This was a sea battle with model warships. The way they went for each other was something to behold. The noise and smoke and gunfire were amazing. The children held their breath, and crept closer to their parents. Now and again one of the tiny ships would blow up in 'a realistic manner. It was for all the world like watching a real sea battle through the wrong end of a telescope, or from a distance. Of course there was no air support in those days. When the sea battle was over, the crowd would grow silent, and a real lighted bomb would be thrown right into the centre of the small lake. With a big bang a geyser of water would shoot up about 30 feet in the air. This was the celebrated “Wainoni Geyser,” and the usual signal that another picnic day had concluded.