ROOM FOR ATHLETICS. A Recreation Ground at Miramar.

Free Lance, Volume III, Issue 143, 28 March 1903, Page 8

ROOM FOR ATHLETICS. A Recreation Ground at Miramar.

THE Post" has turned on the tap, and pouis cold water on the Miramar lecreation giound scheme. Exactly why it does so it doesn't seem to know itself. Perhaps, it woke up with a, touch of liver, or maybe it is pure oussedness. At any rate, it aigues with about equal effect on both sides of the case, and then winds up an amusing kind of "Yes. — No" article by advising the city fatheis to have nothing to do with the offer recently made to them by Miramar Limited. * * * All this is a piopos of the deputation from the local athletic bodies, which waited upon the City Council last week to urge them to take advantage of that offer, and acquire 1 a people's park and recreation ground at Miramar. The "Post" admits the necessity, says the offer is a very good one, but objects to the attached condition, because it canr not discover anything "philanthropic or altruistic" about it What is the offer ? Miramar Limited are walling to hand over to the city, for the purposes of a park and recreation giound, 484 acres of level greenswaid in an estate of 520 acres. They bought this estate at the rate of £L>s an acie, and offe<r to sell a part of the pick of it at £150 an acre on condition that the City Council extends the electric tramway to the estate Surely, that is good enough' But, the "Post" is looking around for something "philanthropic and altruistic " Well, there is nothing to preent it starting a subscription-list with a handsome donation to secure a recreation ground for the city. It may encourage the other philanthropists to step forward. So far they have made no sign. Wellington has been waiting a very long time for philanthropists and altruists to come along to help to endow it with those public conveniences which all up-to-date cities

possess, and by waiting it has been missing its chances. The condition attached to the offer .seems a very reasonable one. Even the "Post" asserts "the electric tramways must go out there m due course, whether the recreation ground is purchased or not." And yet, with curious logic, it &ays "the suggested bargain is not one to which the city should commit itself." If the trains must go to Miramar in any case, then Miramar Limited are only asking for something they are bound to have. • * • The "Post" also w eeps over the fact that Miramar was lost to the city neaily tw o years ago. Here is a chance to xecover a part, of it on terms that will never be obtained again. Miramar Limited are asking £500 and £600 an acre for land adjoining this 48i acres. They do not profess to be philanthropists, but they offer a goodly slice of the best of their property at less than they paid for it — at very much less than they can get for it in the open market to-day. If any land as accessible to the city, as cheap, and as w ell-adiaipted foir the purposes of a. people's park and lecreation ground as is this Miramar flat can be procured, let us hear of it by all means. But, there is none offering. # * * We strongly supported the purchase of the whole Miramar estate when it was first offered ta the city. It would have been the greatest bargain Wellington has ever had. But, that chance has passed away. Another opportunity of securing an ideal pleasure-ground for the community now presents itself. Let it not be too hastily dismissed, simply because some of the critics waait the other fellow to bo "philanthropic and altruistic." The question is "Is it worth the raonev?" — "Can we make a better bargain?" * *• fThe representatives of the young men and growing lads of thei city made out a ease last week which deserves the weightiest consideration of the Council. As a city, we are woefully deficient in recreation grounds. We are pinched for room. Wellington is rapidly growing into a great metropolis. Now is the time to make provision for the proper out-door recreation of the people. If neglected now, posterity will have reason to curse the stinginess or short-sightedness of those civic rulers who could see no further than their own noses.