The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 1929. A CIVIC ASSET.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 January 1929, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 1929. A CIVIC ASSET.

Thu fact that Cass Square is so "ell cared lor and so well equipped lor the purpose ol recreation, lias made it a special asset to the town in attracting hundreds ol visitors to Hokitika year by year. Tin* annual picnic excursions begin this week, and them Iter lor successive Saturdays Cass Square will he occupied by very large parties enjoying the outing in what is admitted on all sides, are very pleasant surroundings. Cass Square has been brought to its genera! pitch ol excellence and convenience by a well designed plan to ensure this reserve- so centrally situated ;(s jp j s —-being; ol the value it should be. The town is very fortunate, and on that account greatly indebted to those who in the early days set aside so many municipal reserves lor tin* benefit of the people. Probably this forethought on the part of the pioneers not often enough in mind, but a little reflection shows how valuable was the consideration resulting from the setting aside of these town reserves. It is in keeping with the same idea ol usefulness that it is incumbent on those ol to-day to see that the reserves are preserved in that degree of utility which will serve the people to the' l>cst advantage 1 . Cass Square has had so much attention given it that it serves a very healthy purpose for the townspeople. It is the lungs of the civic centre, and ns a clean, wholesome playground might well he the envy of any town. There are those who are bent on taking a pride in keeping Cass Square at one hundred per cent, of value to the community so far as its general condition is concerned. It is desired to see it reserved and presented essentially as an ideal play-ground where large gatherings may congregate in wholesome surroundings, and take a pleasure and a pride in so doing. In preserving the Square for assemblages ol the public, it is desired to exclude fixtures by circus performances, which bring animals and vehicles in their train certain to do serious damage to the surface of the ground, while the presence of many ani.mals on such an occasion cannot hut create an unclean and unhealthy condition of affairs. Of course, it is not intended that performances of the nature referred to should be debaiied the town. On the contrary, such perI'dirnmndes have so great a public vogue that it would he unfair to do so. Tint with so many reserves in and about the town, and so many private open snaees available, there need lie no prohibition. In other words it is desired that the authorities should prepare one or other of its reserves for such visitations where the visits may be enjoyed as much as on Cass Square, wnile at the same time the latter may lie nreserved lor its ordinary utility ns a playground or civic picnic ground for which it is so well equipped. It. is rather remarkable that the minority of the local Council only hold this view, and that there are those who consider under certain circumstances Cass Square should he at the disposal of circus displays. The general interests seem to suggest it would he preferable to reserve Cass Square in its pleasing order for field sports and picnics, and exclude animal displays which could he met equally well on other locations. There does not seem anything to cavil at in that respect, rather does it appear to he the most sensible course, so that the pleasure and pi ole wo now have in tlx* condition and appearance of Cass Square may he preserved to the fullest, and the area continue to he the real asset it is to the town.