CORRESPONDENCE

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2428, 17 January 1882, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE

EAGLET PARK. To the Editor of the Globe.

Sib, —While cordially agreeing with you in your remarks respecting the present neglected condition of Hagley Park, and the importance and necessity of something being done for its improvement, you appear to overlook the fact of there being absolutely no revenue available for such a purpose, excepting the small pit* tance of about £3OO per annum, derived from letting the Park for depasturing sheep and horses, which sum is entirely absorbed by the Domain, and is very inadequate for keeping that pleasant place of resort in the good order and progressive improvement so much appreciated . and desired by every right-thinking inhabitant. The problem to be solved is how to raise a sufficient and permanent income to be specially devoted to the Park and Domain, and administered by the Park and Domain Board. No casual grant from the General Assembly, or temporary funds from any other fluctuating source will answer the purpose where a reliable and permanent revenue is required, and to secure this was the object of a motion I made some five years ago in the City Council. The proposal referred to went no further than suggesting the expediency of leasing for a term of twenty-one or thirty years of certain detached plots of about half an acre each for villa residences on the northern border of the Park, extending from near the Saleyards to the Carlton bridge, which would not only have yielded a fixed revenue of £IOO9 per annum, with a very large prospective income when the leases fell in, but have materially assisted in improving the prospect and general appearance of the Park by importing life and animation and pleasant views where now there is nothing but a dreary waste, in fact merely a large paddock encircled by a belt of trees effectually shutting in and hiding from view everything of interest beyond its boundaries. Even, as you suggest, much would be gained if judicious clearings were made, to open up views of the river, and the residences here and there on its banks, just outside the Park boundaries. The proposal referred to was only seconded pro forma to allow me to state my views, after which it was unanimously rejected by the Council, therefore it is not correct to charge the City Council with having designs upon the Park, with the object of diverting the revenue to city purposes, even if the proposal had been one of spoliation, which you plainly infer. It may be said that if the plan bad been adopted and acted upon the expected lessees would not have been forthcoming. In reply to this it is only necessary to state, that in Armagh street and other parts of the city the Church Property Trustees have given leases for twenty-one years of a great number of quarter acre sections at an annual rental of £l2 10s, upon which many valuable residences have been erected, the buildings and improvements becoming the property of the trustees on the termination of the leases. This being so, it is reasonable to conclude that no diffi-. oulty would be experienced in finding tenants for say forty half acre allotments at £25 per annum in such a superior locality as the Park. It was not intended that the plote should be in a continuous line, but distributed here and there along the northern boundary, with wide intervals between each. As variety of style and design would add considerably to the general effect, it would be unnecessary to impose any arbitrary restrictions upon the taste of individual; proprietors; the only conditions necessary would be that buildings of not less than a certain value be erected, and that the design and plans should be submitted to and receive the approval of the Board before granting a lease. After the ventilation of this matter in the Council quite a number of influential citizens expressed to me their entire approval of the proposal, and I am inclined to think that, if a vote of the city was taken, you would be rather surprised at the number found supporting it. Supposing the plan suggested, or something similar, had been carried out, there is no doubt that the Board would at this time be in the receipt of £IOOO per annum, half of which could be readily and usefully absorbed by the Domain—the remaining half would, I dare say, be found sufficient for planting and carrying out a variety of improvements calculated to enhance the pleasure and enjoyment of all. One of the works necessary to be put in hand with as little delay as possible, as the mischief is daily extending, would be the reclamation of the sandy waste near the College, which is being continually added to by the wind scooping out the sand where the surface has been broken, and spreading it over the neighboring grass. In this low lying portion of the Park there is sufficient artesian waterpower for the forming of one or two ornamental fountains. An artificial cascade, with rocks, ferns, mosses, and aquatic plants, would also be a pretty and attractive featur in this part of the Park, and quite practicable if the funds indicated were available. A spacious rotunda, provided with seats and music stands, where bands, partly or wholly subsidized by the Board, could “ discourse sweet music” on Saturday or Sunday afternoons during the summer months would be very attractive, and add greatly to the enjoyment of visitors. In Melbourne bands play in the parks after noon on Sundays, though it is just possible that in this godly city the 11 unco’ good” would make strenuous efforts to prevent such innocent and rational enjoyment oa the Lord's Day, A well-formed carriage drive, kept in the best order, and continuously watered during the summer months, would be an indispensable desideratum, and would be much appreciated and well patronised. Statuary added from time to time, as the funds permitted, and judiciously disposed in favourable spots, would also do much in the way of embellishment. When these and suoh-like improvements were fairly started, it would be desirable to enclose, and suitably plant and prepare, for some day having to accommodate a zoological collection, than whioh nothing is more attractive, at the same time interesting and instructive, and for the forming of the nucleus of such a collection a friendly rivalry may be expected to arise between well-to-do colonists as to who should present the first aniiral or reptile, as the case may be, the interesting subject being accorded the privilege of wearing a badge inscribed with the donor’s name. Our indefatigable friend Dr. Von J alius Haast, who, by persistent perseverance and liberal donations of moa bones, has done so much in procuring dead specimens for the Museum, might bo relied on for exercising the same kindly zeal and generous liberality (a good stock of bones being always on hand) in favour of living representatives from countries doubtless possessing many duplicates among their large and varied collections. Such is a mere indication of some of the changes and additions the possession of a sufficient and permanent revenue might be expected to realise, and whioh would quickly transform the present miniature saeep run into a miniature Versailles. That the matter may be taken up by the public, and pushed to a practical issue without much further delay, is the hope of Tours, Ac., WILLIAM PRATT. The Hermitage, Addington, January Ifith 1882.