Untitled

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5146, 20 September 1877, Page 2

Some hard things have been deservedly said of the recreation grounds of Wellington, of which it must be admitted this unfortunate city is sadly deficient. The Hon. Mr. Mantel! compared the Basin Reserve the other day to a “wet dock,” and as to theso-called Botanical Gardens, they have, it is said, been passed through on several occasions by visitors in search of them without their even suspecting they had got there. Yet these ninety acres might be made a very attractive and ornamental place of recreation. The want of funds no doubt is the great reason for so little having been done by art for a spot for which nature has done a great deal. It is not thought likely that the small annual subsidy which the Legislature formerly voted for keeping up these gardens will be resumed, and therefore other means must be resorted to for the purpose. Possibly prison labor might be utilised, and something done by its aid, added to the small resources at the disposal of those by whom the estate is managed, to make it look a little more “ botanical,” and -less like a strip of uncultivated bush than it does at present. We cannot rival the beauties of the public gardens of Melbourne and other Australian cities, which bo favorably strike a stranger on his first arrival, but still some effort might be made to make the Wellington gardens more attractive than they now are. Much more, one would think, could be done to make the small creek running through a portion of the ground an ornamental piece of water, and with the “cheap labor” suggested, if it can be made available, a good many more trees might be planted, flower-beds laid out, and the walks be put into such a state that people could traverse them after a shower of rain without being over the ankles iu mud. A better approach also from the southern end of the town is much needed. Everything that is required is not likely to be done all at once, but it strikes us that a better beginning to put things right might even now be made than has been attempted for the last ten years. The report of the Registrar-General of Land for the year, ended 30th June last has been laid before Parliament. The returns as to the working of the Land Transfer and Deed Registry Department during that period are of a satisfactory character. The receipts in the Land Transfer Department, exclusive of the assurance fund, have amounted to £13,652, as against £12,527 for the preceding year. The expenditure has been £9932. In future, in consequence of an arrangement which it has been found necessary to make with the Survey Department, a portion of the cost of working the Land Transfer Act will be thrown on to the latter department, but this does not at all affect the present statement. The amount standing to the credit of the assurance fund on the 30th June was £13,290. [ln the Deeds Registry Department the receipts for the year have been £10,485, as against :£15,733 for the preceding year. The expenditure has been £9926.