THE WESTERN PARK.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8008, 20 December 1905, Page 3

THE WESTERN PARK.

Ift company with Mr G. W. Browne chairman of the Western Park Board a representative of the Tabaxaki Daii. News paid a visit to the works now ii progress at the newly-acquired Weston Park. Before dealing with the spariou iporta ground now in course of con itraction, we walked, terrace by tcr ace, to a point near the extreme eas if the park, near Morley Street, anc rom here obtained a splendid panora aic view of the town of New Plymouth rhitot away in the background appeared he eoast dimly fading away toward: tawhia, beyond the shining White lift's. A broad walk led to the trig tation on the highest portion of the round. This was surely an artist'; eat. Below, there was the terrncco till descending to the levelled ampin heatre, to the north and east a glorious lew of iova, hill, apd sea; to tlit urthward a sweeping expanse of the due ocean, with the wild horses ehas' ng each other from crest to crest iway towards the setting sun the ocean igain, but in the foreground the suburl if Motnro.T, the freezing works, the larhonr 2nd shipping; whilst in the veiling haze to the southwards from he purple ranges the snow-capped Jouiit Egmont reared himself in all lis majestic grandeur. It is indeed loubtful if a better view than this is ibtainable in the vicinity of New Plynouth, Mr Browne pointed out the (roposed (boundaries of the sports [round, giving a level enclosure 160 rards by 110 yards, approximately, [he work of excavation is proceeding ipace, labour being supplied by His liajesty'a Prison Department, the joard contributing the usual amount awards the cost of supervision: All he top loam is being saved for topIressing, and it is estimated that several nehes of splendid soil will cover the lay formation. A sufficient fall Is alowed for drainage, and the ground is icld by a high turf wall on Morley Street. All the terraces —there will be even of these encircling the ground—ire twelve feet wide, and (lights of leps lead from one to the other. 'Weeping" pipes are inserted in the tanks to carry off the eoakage, On he sou'.h corner of the ground, about wciiiy feet above the level enclosure, s the band rotunda site, and an auxiliiry space for a similar purpose is kid iff on the opposite corner of the ground. At Browne informed us that when ompkned jhe terraces will acroinwo. late 20,»XW peoplo, all of whom would iractically have " front seats," and con«quentrr an uninterrupted view of my sports or games in progress. The funds for carrying out thin work, iroviding material, and so forth, have o far been raised from the public. The Jorough Council has voted £SO, the wo bands have given concerts, and

other entertainments arranged by tin. burgesiws of Sew Plymouth have pro.

rided revenue. At present the Board —which is composed of three Borough Councillors and three citizens appointed by that body—have but little in

band, and some means will have to be devised to raise more money. The ground belong* to the public, and if controlled by their own representatives, so we have no doubt that if an appeal is made there will be ready response. Mr Browne was most particular in pointing oue that the recent correspondence advocating the claims of this park as against the Becrcation Grounds was not is any way authorised or countenanced by the Board, whose members recognise that if New Plymouth people make the ino:-t of the town's attractions there is room for both grounds, l and that llie controlling bodies can do i mu'h to as>i t one another. Among I the ncccr-ar;' Ui'rk- ; at Ihcuewgroiinds arc planting and maintenance, but J thee ha\e lo '■<■ dt fcrrcd until the I more pres'-ing work of the oval is completed. It is intended to plant the remaining nine acres as a domain, which will doubtless add to" the beauties surrounding New Plymouth.