Auckland: City of Splendid Parks

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 246, 7 January 1928, Page 15

Auckland: City of Splendid Parks

(Written for THE SUN by

EARL ROBIESON.)

HfCN the editor stopped at my desk and said, “What about a page on the Auckland parks?” I took the first opportunity of going along to the

~ „ looking-glass to see if i had deInoed sufficient green in my eye T testify hi* diverting my activities W oarks The glass failed to give explanation. Then I started to think, and connived a most original idea. Why not irite of Albert Park, its lawns, its Wonderful flowers, its shady trees, the hite things placed in the lawns to noy the men who have to mow and last, but not least, of the state of perpetual light? Ah! Those lerhta' N° rest for the weal 'y eye ' Bright sun throughout the day °nd hard, trying, electro-luminousness hr night- All the lights in the city may fsil. and the trams stop, all re,ulti from electric power cease, but these lights! Do they ever go out? Vot within the knowledge of man, or i understand, maid. They assert it, ,nd blame the Tramway Department tor thus encouraging long distance rides to Cornwall Park, or Parnell Park, or, of course. Point Chevalier. This brings me to the realisation that there are other parks, and the aditor’s question referred to parks in the plural. In fact Auckland is supplied with a variety of parka that exceeds that of any other city in New Zealand—everything from the restful lawns, and the beautiful gardens of Albert Park, or Parnell Park, to the delightful coolth of untouched nature In Corn wallls Park, or Spragg’s Bush. In this matter of parks Albert is. how ever, the oldest, and the most his torical in the city. It was on this site that the old Albert Military Bar racks were erected, a little of the ruins of which still remain. The por tion remaining was built by the friendly Maoris as long ago as 1848, alter the burning of Kororareka. Mr. W. Swalnson, writing in 1853, said of the barracks: —"The buildings are solid and substantial, mostly of scoria, square, heavy-looking, and unsightly." Perhaps under this comment it is as well that the rains are not more extensive. The Britomart and Albert Barracks, the former on a headland which has since been demolished, aquar.er of a mile nearer the sea than Its fellow building, had, between them, accommodation for about a thousand men. The Albert Barracks afterwards served the Auckland Grammar School, then a much more unpretentious establishment, for a term, and were used as a police barracks, before being demolished. The area was eventually transferred to the city in 1871, four years before Western Park. The Domain became a public property in 1893, and these three were the only public areas devoted to park and reserve purposes until 1900.

By gift, purchase or lease, the area has been considerably added to since then, mostly since 1911, when Point Erin Park was opened. Art Encouragement The extensive building of beautiful homes, both large and small, which is going on in and around Auckland, promises well for the future of the city, and this steady growth may be largely attributed to the attractions which the city holds out to newcomers. It may safely be said that no city in the Dominion has better or more extensive recreation advantages than Auckland, for in addition to the magnificent beaches and water resorts almost at the city’s doors, Auckland’s parks and reserves ensure Playing areas and breathing spaces lor a vastly greater population than *» have to-day. This heritage of open spaces has been given to Auckland as a result o’! the far-sightedness of successive civic authorities, and lie generosity of public-spirited citi•ens. It was not enough for these men that the immediate needs of the community should be met, for they “*d faith in the future of their city, *M planned for something Infinitely poster than they could hope to see m their own time. Today the parks and reserves °*ned by, or vested in, the City Corr™u°n, have a total area of over »,000 acres, a position which has no fjtollel in the Dominion. ApproPnately enough, all these reserves are jot within the confines of the present paries of the city, but are disroouted over the wider area which Greater City of Auckland must t * le years to come, Domain has an area pLi seres and is one of the prinosi sports grounds of the city. It

| comprises a large cricket ground, chlldren’s playing ground, a botanic garden, native bush plantations, tennis lawns and space for six football I grounds. Here large outdoor gatherings are held, one of the most noteworthy of these being the military review witnessed by the Prince of Wales in 1920. The Davis Cup contest between Australia, New Zealand and the United States was also played here in December of the same year. Among the attractions contained in the Domain is the Winter Garden, at present being added to, and the huge War Memorial Museum in course of construction. Victoria Park, with its 18 acres, is one of the city's most popular athletic and recreation spaces. Excel-

lent cricket pitches have been lai down, and in the winter season Rugby Union, Rugby League, Association football and hockey matches are played here. Devotees of tennis, bowls and croquet also have facilities for their favourite pastimes within this park, while the playground, with its swings and ladders, donated by Mr. J. Court, is a source of delight to the children of the city. Similar provision for the children is made at Myers Park, presented to the citizens by the Hon. A. M. Myers, who purchased an unsightly gully of six acres in the immediate vicinity of the Town Hall, and had it transformed into a delightful reserve, afterwards erecting, at his own cost, a model kindergarten.

Point Erin Park is ideally situated on the shores of the Waitemata, in the Ponsonby district, and is a favourite resort, while Parnell Park, part of which was formerly the home of the late Sir John Logan Campbell, is also on the water’s edge and is remarkable for its seascape views. The Grey Lynn Park, of 30 acres, is another of the city’s many breathing spaces, and is being considerably improved. Western Park, in the higher Pon sonby district, although small, is a delightful scenic reserve, and is well planted with native and exotic trees. Bayfield Park at Herne Bay is another small area which will lend itself to development, as the future growth of the city demands.

In addition there are many small reserves which have been beautified and have appreciably improved the appearance of various sections of the city. Among these are those at Alten Road (known as Constitution Hill'i, Emily Place, Wakefield Street (containing the Maori War Memorial), the Marivare Reserve on Manukau Road, Epsom, and the attractive rockeries in Symonds Street. All these open spaces suffice for the needs of the citizens to-day and Auckland has reason to be proud of its possessions, but of greater importance is the thought which has been taken for the future. Within the city boundaries alone there are large areas of undeveloped reserve which can be improved as the need arises. Of these there are Cox’s Creek Reserve of 32 acres, the Parnell Domain of 11 acres, the Mount Hobson Domain, 9 acres, with its early Maori associations, the Epsom Domain of 19 acres, and the x Waiatarua Park of 156 acres. Beyond City Boundaries Beyond the actual boundaries of die city are a number of large reserves, some actually the property of the citi-

zens and others vested in boards and trustees but available as public domains. One of these is Cornwall Park, which contains 230 acres and is just outside the present city boundary. It was the gift of Sir John Logan Campbell. Adjoining this area is the One Tree Hill Domain with its famous peak. Farther out is the beautiful Titirangi Park and reserve of 30 acres, and nearby the Mt. Atkinson Reserve the gift of the late Mr. Henry Atkinson. These scenic reserves are spread over a fairly wide area, ensuring admirable camping and picnicking grounds for the future. Chief of them

are the Piha Domain of 146 acres on the West Coast, and Kaitarakihe Park of 761 acres, situated on the shores of the Manukau Harbour. This last named area contains much magnificent native bush and was the gift of Mr. Wesley Spragg. Another large reserve is that near the entrance to the Manukau Harbour and known as Cornwallis Park — Auckland’s largest beach domain. Tt contains 1,927 acres, and was be queathed to the city by the late Mr. J. Mitchell McLachlan. The Nihotupu Domain of 4,710 acres has been vested in the City Council in connection with the water supply of the city, and is remarkable for its fine native bush, and the noble specimens of the kauri which may be seen in many parts of the reserve. Lore of the Cones The outlying suburbs, which go tc the making of the greater Auckland district, are also well provided with parks, and open spaces, but as far as playing grounds are concerned -here is a distinct shortage, and the increasing number of people with the con tinuallv decreasing amount of space available per capita, will eventually compel many citizens merely to “take the air,” and watch the others play. Most popular of these outside domains is Mount Eden, from which i magnificent views of the city and sur rounding country can be seen, an aspect enjoyed by most visitors, who are usually taken there as a sort of jumping-off place to a tour of the city and suburbs.

Of the many volcanic cones round Auckland this, and One Tree Hill, are perhaps the two most steeped in history, for both were Maori strongholds in the days before inter-tribal warfare on the Tamaki Isthmus svw them discarded. Legend has it that these, like the other cones and lava flows, were the result of Mata-aho, one of the earliest settlers in Ao-tea-roa somewhere in the years before -he 12th century, calling upon his File Goddess for warmth for his limbs. Most of the cones bear traces of the pits and earthworks of bygone cen turies. None of them proved impregnable. In the later portion of the 17th century the Maru-tuahu tribe, following a treacherous murder, sacked the riverside Tamaki pas, and those at Orakei, One Tree Hill and Mount Eden. The end of the ancient Tamaki tribes came in about 1750, when the Ngati-whatua tribe from the Kaip .a wiped out their chiefs, and killed, enslaved or drove to the south, the otuer members of the tribes, eventually Uik ing possession, with headquarters at One Tree Hill. For many years the Tamaki district had been subject to raids, and it continued to be unsafe for residential purposes, though the Ngati-whatua tribe continued strong enough to hold it, but Mount Eden, and several of the large hill forts, were abandoned, end their elaborate defences fell into ruin, and became overgrown. About this time an epidemic swept the country, and the depletion of the population was probably one of the reasons why these forts were abandoned. There still remained a large population, but the hills demanded larger numbers of defenders than could be provided, so they were

given up, never to be used for the purpose again. Mount Albert, Mount St. John and the many other cones which are such a feature of the isthmus have mostly been saved as reserves for the benefit of future generations. Potter’s Park in the Mount Eden Borough is another of the children’s playgrounds in the Greater Auckland area and is suitably equipped. Farther out is Jellicoe Park at Onehunga, while another children’s area has been presented at Avondale by Mr. W. J. Tait. Accommodation for the various sports bodies is provided in the larger city parks, but space is provided at Eden Park, where interprovincial cricket and Rugby games are played, at the Epsom Showgrounds and the reserves in the North Shore Boroughs as well as in the many districts surrounding the metropolitan area. The Rugby League has its own well-apointed ground in Carlaw Park and the body controlling the Association game has in Blandford Park a centrally situated ground on which its principal games are now’ played. The Hockey Association also has a fine ground at Remuera by arrangement with the Dilworth Trust Board. Many beautiful and valuable properties are owned by the various golf, tennis, and bowding clubs in and around the city, and the policy of the city fathers and other citizens in providing for the future has been adopted by the leaders of these and other sports, w-hile there is the good example at Stanley Bay of the people helping themselves in building their recreation grounds. As an example of the sports bodies acting we have the Tennis Association laying down its courts for

inter-club, interprovincial, and other important matches in Stanley Street. At the present time other areas are being brought into a more seemly state, mainly due to the large sum provided this year for the assistance of unemployed. These include one park at Grey Lynn, which is being considerably improved and will shortly provide an excellent ground for the children, and another near the old mill at Epsom, which, like its fellow at Western Springs, is being recovered from an overgrowth of gorse and fern. This Western Springs will provide a sports ground second to none in New Zealand. This leads me to Waiatarua or Lake St. John Park, about which there will, sooner or later, have to be something done. The position has been discussed often enough, but action seems to be decidedly a thing to be desired. The present idea, at least it is the one that has been most discussed, is to base the development of this promising park by first making a road round the lake, and next a golf course round the lake. Let us first hope that before either is passed the engineer laying out the road and the professional laying out the links will have a nice little heart-to-heart talk about the business. It does not matter much where the road goes but it matters a "whole heap” where the golf course dees, especially if it is to be run round in conjunction with a road. If Auckland is to have a municipal golf links, as most cities have now-a-days for goodness sake let us have something better than the Wellington one, and let it be considerably better controlled. On a casual examination the ground should be suitable for a very nice enjoyable course, even if not a very long one, and it is not too far out to be a good financial proposition. A municipal golf course always has this advantage too, that if the city fathers are not getting sufficient publicity they can threaten to cut into the links to make a football ground or something. Such a move always creates a good row, specially if the course has been made a fairly interesting one to start with.

Concluding this article I would like to quote a few ideas sent along by Mr. R. E. Fenton, who has been studying the configuration of the lake surroundings, and believes that it could be made the most beautiful park and recreation ground in New Zealand. He tdmits that the work would run into a considerable sum of money, but this could be spread over a good number of years and would be amply justified by the pleasure people would get out of the park. His scheme is first that the lake should be deepened to say ten feet, avoiding the muddy discolouration that now occurs in every decent wind, and providing an extensive and clear sheet of water. “The spoil,” he continues, “could be pumped on to such portions of the surrounding land as are, at present, little better than swamps. On the south side there is a large supply of scoria rock, adjacent to the lake, and the banks could be faced with this, making an effective and picturesque foreshore. It fnight be necessary to lower the present level two or three feet, but the deepening suggestion would obviate any objection to this. A very suitable road has been surveyed round the lake, and this could be made a most beautiful drive, with access from three or four directions. At the northern end of the lake is a large flat piece of land, at present a swamp some 25 acres in extent, the reclamation of which would provide an ideal ground for sports fields reasonably close to the proposed tram extensions. Personally I would prefer keeping sports out of the scheme, making it more like the beautiful Kew gardens of London. As is the case in Kew conservatories and greenhouses could be built for growing exotic plants and trees. Rowing skiffs could be kept on the lake, giving women and children, and people not expert enough to go on our large harbour, a chance to enjoy this form of recreation. “It has been suggested that the lake should be drained, but I can hardly believe that this idea has been seriously entertained, as London, Paris and other cities have spent enormous sums in making artificial ponds and lakes, so that it would be the height of absurdity to destroy a lake that is already in existence, and which is greatly superior to the Serpentine, Round Ponds, or ponds in Regent’s Park. It has been suggested that the lake breeds mosquitos, but I believe this is quite a mistake, and I do not believe that the mists that occasionally occur are attributable to the lake. There are no more mists there than in the low-lying areas of Ellerslie and Panmure. It is believed that the Onehunga water-supply is largely derived from the lake. Another suggestion that has been made has been that the lake should be reduced to five acres from the present fifty-five, but this would only spoil a beautiful lake. No other city in New Zealand has a natural lake or any other so near its boundary, and I feel sure that the large majority of the citizens of Auckland would be against any idea of destroying it."

With this latter sentiment I am in entire accord.