CASS SQUARE.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 March 1924, Page 2

CASS SQUARE.

THE PEOPLES’ PARK

There have been complaints of late in regard to the state of Cass Square. A representative of the Guardian inspected the grounds on Saturday, and expressed surprise that generally the grounds were in such satisfactory order. If there is cause for complaint it is in respect to tiie unthinking who again are making unsightly footways across the grassy sward from corner to corner, by folk anxious to make a “short cut.” Considering there is such an excellent pathway all-round the Square now, pedestrians should coniine their perambulations to the pathways and keep oif the grass. ■On Saturday announcement was made to cut the grass. It was ascertained this is to be done more frequently in future, and the effect will lie altogether to the advantage of the appearance of the Square. Once the grass is trimmed any hollow places in the playing field will soon be noticeable, and it is the intention to have all the hollows filled with soil, and so present an even surface. Ihe draining work carried out by tbe Beautifying Society has had an excellent effect wherever done, and several swampy areas have disappeared. It is chieflyin those places where the surface has subsided to some extent, and these low hollows are to he built up. Indeed the work of the Beautifying 'Society about the Square is to be commended heartily. Since the Society took a hand in the upkeep a very marked improvement lias been affected, tor the Society has accomplished a great deal in relieving the Borough Council funds of much expenditure, which in the ordinary course should have come from that

It wn- gleaned on Saturday that it is intended to improve the W eld Street corner of the cycling track, going out from the straight. The narrow track there causes a congestion in cycle races, and it is that locality where most of the spills have occurred. The widening will make the track much safer, and will provide a quantity of handy soil to fill the pot holes complained of in the football playing field. The Anzae plot oil Cass Square is to he put in complete order before Easter, and the flower beds etc. attended to. That portion of the Square is to have special attenion every week for the future, so that it will present always a neat and trim anil well-cared for ap-

pearance. Some attention is to bo devoted to the children’s playing field, and about the swings and the giant’s stride the surface is to be well-sanded to prevent slipping on the clay surlace. There have been a couple of painful accidents to children of late through bad falls, and it is hoped the sanding of the turf will remove the liability to ready accident.

The Square is proving a popular rendezvous since its general appearance lias been so transformed by the initial work of the Beautifying Society. It is for the Borough Council to cooperate in the good work, and w here it can dn so in a reasonable way, to supplement the work of the Society. Ihe Square is a special asset to the tow n. That it is the people’s park is evidenced by the number of people who frequent- it daily. Many elderly people linger there during the afternoons, and the children make it their common play-ground. Visitors do not fail to pass through tbe grounds, so that it will well repay the community to see that the Square is well and cleanly maintained. Tlio citizens should cooperate in every way possible to make the grounds more and more an ornament to the town.