THE GLOBE. FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 1881. THE PEOPLE'S PARK.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2255, 24 June 1881, Page 2

THE GLOBE. FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 1881. THE PEOPLE'S PARK.

It is not often that onr staid and eminently respectable contemporary, " The Press," descends from the lofty pinnacle of dealing with the affairs of the nation to notice small local matters. This morning, however, " The Press" takes np the cndgels in right good earnest against the invasion of the People's Park, contemplated by a section of the Popular Amusement Association. We say a section, because if the whole body of the members of that Association were to be consulted, the majority, we believe, would pronounce dead against such a proposal. We are at a loss to see why the privilege to close the Park against the public for any period during the year should be granted to this or any other body. If the Popular Amusement Association want to make a paying speculation of what has hitherto been regarded merely as a catering for public amusement then let them say so, and we shall know what we are doing. If the Association does not require to make money, why do they seek to be empowered to charge the public an admission fee to their own domain ? There are plenty of other places in which to hold sports where a charge for admission can be made, should it be so desired, without taking the Park. There is, for instance, the grounds of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, on which the sports of onr athletic clubs and friendly societies are held ; and there is also the new ground of the Athletic Sports Ground Company. Both of these are available for the Popular Amusement Association if they desire to levy a toll upon the public. This being se, there appears to us not a shadow of reason in the request which is going to be made by the committee of the Association. They have been permitted, on the ground that they provided once a year entertainment and amusement for tho public, to establish themselves in a portion of the Park. Not content with this, they now coolly ask that they may shut the public out for so many days in the year, and levy a charge for admission to that which is their right to demand free entrance. This proposal seems so monstrous that we wonder at it being so quietly received by the public. The only reason we can assign for this apparent apathy is that no possible chance of the request being granted exists, and that the public, therefore, do not care to stir in the matter. But we would desire to point out that this apathy is exceedingly dangerous, inasmuch as it may be taken as evidence of assent. The promoters of tho scheme will of course use their best efforts to get it carried out, and should no manifestation of the public voice in the matter be made they will, on the principle of silence giving consent, make a strong point of this. We trust, therefore, that some steps will be taken, either through the City Council or in some other way, to show that the people of Christchurch are opposed to and will resist any invasion of their rights and privileges with regard to the use of the Park. It is not often that wo can agree with or endorse the opinions of our contemporary " The Press," hence on the present occasion it affords us very great pleasure to notice the outspoken manner in which the subject has been dealt with. We only trust that the public will also speak out and at onco put an end to what would be a most dangerous project.