MIRAMAR'S WONDERLAND

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 26, 25 October 1907, Page 8

MIRAMAR'S WONDERLAND

ITS CHIEF ATTRACTIONS. TO BE OPENED TO-MORROW WEEK. Saturday, November 2, v.'iH he a red-letlm' day in the history of Mirainar North. Oil that date, " Wonderland," which ,is situated within half a minute's walk from' the tramway terminus, is to ho opened to the plea-sure-loving public of Wellington.

The new pleasure-ground promises to equal, if not surpass, anything of the kind in Australasia. The site, which contains about eight acres, has been tastefully, laid off, and, with the exception of the western uid, is almost level. The Japanese garden will he a picturesque spot. A special feature is

a chain of lakelets boasting a-tiny waterfall at every link. In warm weather, the fernery is certain to be a very popular refuge. A tea kiosk, in which refreshments can be served to 130 people at'the one time, has been erected on the grounds. The elcctricitv, both for power and lighting purposes, will be generated by means of two direct-coupled sets of pas-engines and generators, whilst for lighting " Wonderland," seventeen 500c.p. arc lamps and over three thousand incandescent lamps will bo used. The water supply is obtained from a spring in a gully to the north of the property. Arrangements have, it is understood, been made'with Mr. Bickerton,: of 'Christchurch, to give a pyrotechnic. display every Saturday evening. Before Itlie winter sots in, a commodious skat-ing-rink will bo ready for occupation; ; An irresistible attraction to old and youiig alike will be the water chute, which lis just a shade steeper, and a few yards longer, than the one which did service at'the Exhibition. Patrons will be conveyed to the top in special cars. With 'an exhilarating swoop, 'each boat will slide, in turn, ; to the bottom and, with a tremendous splash,, leap' into the artificial lake, 'where, for : a -few seconds*' it will,'- as all visitors to the Exhibition know, shoot forward with catapult force and, under the guidance'of the;steersman, glide smoothly over to the landingplace. Water-chutingis just about the most exhilarating speed-sport that we know ;in New Zealand. -Close by is the toboggan slide, which will contest with the chuto for the popular place in the public estimation.. • With a- Wellgreased track, the toboggan should provide an ample fund of enjoyment to its patrons. Tho-sensation experienced is somewhat similar to that obtained on the chute. As there are four tracks, and the cars may be'despatched simultaneously, racing can bo indulged in.' The order in which the sleds pass the " post" will be indicated by a patent machine.. : • The helter-skelter tower should have a . large claim on the attentions .of youngsters. It will be remembered that the-slide of the tower at the-Exhibition became insufficiently .slippery in dewy or'wot weather.- This difficulty has, tho management of " Wonderland" assert-, been overcome by the substitution of polished white maple for th'e| sliding plane. Yot another attraction will be' the miniature train, which will'consist'-of a. steam-engine only about four feet high, and three carriages, with seating accommodation, for twenty-four persons in all. The track at ono end is" in the form of a loop, and is eighteen chains in length. A bridge and tunnel, will ■loud an additional charm -to the journey.

The slraddersonie Katzenjammer Cast-le will prove a veritable hiding-place for the tqrrors of the unknown. An uncanny floor, ghoulish shrieks, thunder and lightning, a grisly skeleton or two, and aii occasional blast will combine to furnish an entertainment, of, a hair-raising kind,, A laughing raller.v, m? m 'c swing, , and slot-parlours, and other gay odds and ends will, make Wonderland "an .institution in Wellington not to be lightly overlooked. • .. ' ' Invitations are being issued to a private opening to tako place on Friday nest.'