A FINE BENEFACTION

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 24 November 1927, Page 4

A FINE BENEFACTION

yESTERDAY’S public dedication of Ebbett Park to the use of the people of Hastings marks an occasion that is deserving of more than mere passing notice. The fine gift that was thus perfected merits in itself some special acknowledgements as an outstanding instance of the true civic spirit which it should be the aim of all to cultivate to the utmost. Mr. Ebbett had already given evidence of his possession of this spirit by the devoted and useful service he rendered to the town in the years during which he occupied the mayoral chair. Nor did such service with his relinquishment of that office, for he has continued to take the most active and practical interest in many movements designed to promote the progress of the borough and the well-being of its inhabitants. In all he has done, too, he has had, whenever required, the heartiest and most capable support of Mrs. Ebbett. Thus the joint benefaction now conferred by both is merely the crowning of innumerable evidences of good citizenship. In no way can a regard for the welfare of a growing town be better studied than in the provision of ample breathing spaces such as that which was yesterday made available for the people of Hastings. As was said yesterday at the opening ceremony, this town is fairly well provided in this respect, mainly owing to the good will of private citizens. The town was one that; was privately laid out and but very scant provision of the kind was made by those who owned the land, Queen’s Square being the only open space set apart for public use. It cannot, however, be said that we are even yet fully provided, and it is to be hoped that the example set by Mr. and Mrs. Ebbett, and by others like minded before them, will find imitation in the not distant future. The great thing in this relation is to secure the land before it acquires prohibitive value, for its development for recreation purposes is a thing that can be progressively undertaken as circumstances admit. In the meantime it is to be hoped that the people of the town, and particularly those resident in the neighbourhood of our new park, will fully appreciate the value of the gift bestowed upon them and determine to- make the most and best of it.