The Southland Times. FRIDAY, MAT 6, 1870.

Southland Times, Issue 1247, 6 May 1870, Page 2

The Southland Times. FRIDAY, MAT 6, 1870.

Several members of the committee of the local Acclimatisation Society have, it has been announced, been specially deputed to devise some means of popularising the institution in question, and also of increasing its funds — which means about the same thing. Without wishing to arrogate to ourselves the functions of the sub-committee, we may take the liberty of aiding them in their efforts, and suggesting such propositions as would certainly secure the hearty cooperation of the townspeople— if there be any public spirit remaining in the place at all. We have had occasion more than once to allude to the tetal absence from the town or suburbs of anything worth going to see. To a stranger visiting ua, we have nothing to show ; nothing that indicates even incipient attachment to their city on the part of the inhabitants. On the maps, truly, there are reserves for all sorts of public purposes, laid out artistically enough. Gardens, parks, esplanades, Ac, &c, may be pointed out both within and without the boundaries, but when sought they cannot be found, at least, not without the aid of a practical surveyor. There is no necessity for our enlarging on the nakedness of our streets, and the bleak, barren, inhospitable aspect of swamps and bogs by which the town is immediately surrounded. These things are only too familiar to the residents, while it is also certain they do not escape the notice of visitors. One who has apparently recently been in our midst, gives the following mourmful picture of our condition, whick ha§ gone the rounds of the New Zealand press : — " Grass growing in the streets ; deserted houses and shops on all sides ; the main road only gravelled or metalled; cows and goats browsing undisturbed on unoccupied quarter-acre sections j open drains in all directions, which, however, thanks to the thinness of the population, the constant breezes from the sea, and the frequent scourings from the abundant rainfall, have not hitherto told injuriously on the health of the town. Such is Invercargill of the present day." No doubt a spice of malice may be detected in this sketch, but truth compels the admission that, in the main, it is only too true, and what is worse, it is likely to remain true unless the people bestir themselves and take some steps to wipe off the ugly stain. Bad as times are, and dull as may be present prospects with reference to the immediate future, there is still means enough at command to alter considerably such a state of things, were there only some organisation for the mutual good — some body to take the initiative. A Municipality, no doubt, would be the legitimate and most comprehensive remedial agent, but as that i» not likely to be an accomplished fact for some time, the Acclimatisation Society, backed by the support of the people, with perhaps some assistant in kind from the Government — money being out of the question — might do something considerable towards "taking away our reproach." The fish ponds have been constructed at WaUacetown, and there of course they must perforce remain, but as the Society contemplates action in other of the purposes for which it exists, it might be advantageous for all parties did they find some more convenient scene for further operations. A portion of one of the numerous town reserves, to which allusion has been made, might be adapted to the objects of the Society. On the north of the town lies a large reserve, known we believe as Hyde Park, but which as yet is devoid of park-like features. A section of this, say twenty acres, might be granted for the formation of a garden, without in. any way infringing upon public rights. Fronting the centre of Gala street a very suitable site could be found. The ground is already pretty well cleared, the soil is good, there is ample fall for drainage, and there is a swamp bottom which could easily be converted into a tolerable pond. One-half of the area mentioned might possibly be sufficient for acclimatising purposes, and the balance, with little labor could be laid out as cricket ground, bowling green, or for other recreative uses. An enclosure of the kind is much required now, in consequence of the old cricket ground having become almost useless through traffic. lionly requires th£

countenance of the public to ensure the thing being done, and that is almost certain to be given, we should think, if the locality indicated, or some equally convenient one, is chosen. The presence of a well laid out public garden, with a number of birds, animals, plants, &c, within it, worth, going to look at, would be a positive relief to the dreary desolation of our town and suburbs, would form a sort of general rendezvous for the inhabitants on holiday or other festive occasions, be an agreeable promenade of an afternoon, and do much to raise us as a community in the estimation of our neighbors, and of strangers paying a flying visit to the town. The cost of laying out the grounds in the first instance would be something considerable, but it might be greatly reduced by the employment of prison labor, which, by the way, would be a much more legitimate occupation for it even than in repairing or improving town property. Moreover, were the matter taken up vigorously by both Government and people, it is quite possible a small draft of the Maori prisoners might be obtained for a few months, by which the roughest of the work could be done* leaving the funds subscribed by the public wholly available for the supply of material, planting, building, and otherwise completing the establishment.