DISTRICT NEWS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 8, Issue 468, 30 September 1919, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

I'APAKTRA. PARKS ANI) 'PROGRESS (By tho Dud Squib.)

Papakura wants a park. Well, its a very laudable desire. Such things of leisure and beauty coma only after the rough pioneering woik is done, and people have time to devote their attention to parks, esplanades, boulevards and such like adornments of the town with any pretensions at all to modernity and progressiveness. It is a good sign, th : s agitation for a park, a sign of a com • munity becoming more cultivated an I more keenly sensitive to the indefinable appeal of the beautiful, and a seeking after healthful recreation £nl repose, as occasion serves. I note by "The Franklin and Pukekohe Times," our long-armed local paper, that the citizens are making some stir over the matter of where the park should be. Now, your humble Squib does not go frizling and sizzling around Papakura or any other town looking for strafes—he can lob into plenty without looking for them—but just a word, all the same, about the qualifications desirable in a park. First and foremost, it must be within a few minutes' walk of the business area of the town—not necessarily of the Railway Station, you know, becaise these are sometimes just planked down where the next five mile peg come 3, and if a township happens to be squatted within a mile or two, well—so much the better for carriers, taxi-men and collecting links' fellows in general When a place attains to such dignifined importance that it can sport a park, the 'eneficiaries first to be '

considered are not the actual residents of the town, but the people from the outlying districts who come in to do business. When mother comes to do her shopping, probably accompanied'by her children, she wants some phce, within a few minutes's walk (not drive) of the shops, where she and the children may rest while father argues it out with the lawyer, the dealer at the sales, or his loan companions; and is ready to return to milk the kine in the evening. Thus are the district peolele catered for, and business made a p'easure, for the advantage of all parties. Another word on what these learned chaps call "topography," the distinctive features of any particular locality. A park should, wherever feasible, be of mixed surface, partly undulating (not of the mountainous country your lucratively imaginative land agent calls "undulating." if you please!) but gentle swelling downs with porky knolls dotted here and there. Such a place is naturally beautiful, and lends itself genially to improvement by man. TheD there should also be a portion that b flat, and suitable for lawns, cricket ground, running course, etc. Is'nt that " etc " a pet darling r >f the indolent ? It saves such a lot of description, and also " saves face " for the uniformed). Anyhow, there you are as to—er—" topography." Take it or leave it.

Having jaunted you along thin far as pleasantly as may be, I must now jerk you back rudely to the heading of this " screed," because I want you to note that the second principal is the word "progress." Papakura, my lords gall-ant, and gallant, too, I vow—and ladies fond and fair, is as handsomely favoured as any town in New Zealand in respect to endowment lands. And the place has a highly progressive future, if onlyjthe enterprising people in it shew fight, and refuse to allow themselves and their interests to be submerged 'neath the incubus of conservatism that encumbers the earth at Papakura and sundry other places hereaway. Take timely heed, then, lest good building sites be used for park purposes, or the park be formed in some outlandish spot where it can serve only sections of the people who can find time to make use of it on the weekly half-holiday, thus cold-shoulderng the district people who supply the commercial life-blood of the place. The size of its schools, libraries, and industries and businesses of all kinds depends on the outside help the town receives. Cater for that trade, and use every legitimate means of increasing and retainirg it! Now have I shone according to my feeble light, but I splutter to an end hoping that my dim Hare has enabled the keener visioned ones at last to peer through the haze of controversey. In the sweet by and bye 1 may glow again, but" sufficient unto the day "—and yet another" etc."

TENNIS CLtJB

There has recently been a revival of the Papaknra Tennis Club, which is receiving good support from various quarters, for improvements to their grounds. The Town Boaid having donated £lO to this purpose. Tho subscriptions have been fixed at £1 for gents and 10a for ladios. It is proposed to muko three sand courts, .a s'.art having been made on one, and it is hopee that this will be ready for play within a fortnight. Mr Cyril Jephson has accepted the position of secretary, and being a man brimful of push and energy, doubtless his services will be of considerable value to the C'ub.

At a recent meeting, presided over by Mr J. E. Elliott, the Ht. Hon. W. Massey was appointed patron, nnd Mr E. D. McLennan was appointed president.

OAKLAND'S ESTATE. The tine Oakland's estate, of 3-15 acres is about to be disposed of in 24 blocks, ranging from 10 to 40 acres, the latter including tne homestead. Situated about two miles from Papakura township, its settlement must act very favourably on the progress of the town and district, in point of view of population, industry and productiveness. The local agents for the property are Messrs 8. J. Mills and Go.

TIMES AGENCIES Tho Times may bo procured from tho local agents, Mr T. H. Shovo and Messrs C. D. Earle and Co. It is desirable to become permanent subscribers, as we do not supply extras for casual sales. Price, one penny.