CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 December 1922, Page 6

CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND.

GIFT OF MR. AND MRS. BURGESSThe children’s playground, which Mr. and Mrs. C. 11. Burgess have had constructed iu Wallace Place was formally declared open on Saturday afternoon by the Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilson). With swings, see-saws, a large sand pit, a horizontal bar, and a low concrete and stone fence with a miniature gate easily opened by tiny children, the whole forms an ideal spot where motners can leave the youngsters to romp and play to their hearts’ content, free from all worry concerning traffic on the streets.

“I am sure you, like me, are well pleased to be associated, even in this humble way, with Mr. and Mrs. Burgess in this grand philanthropic movement for the children of the neighbourhood,” eaid Mr- Wilson to the parents and children w|ho had assembled for the opening ceremony. “I understand,” he continued, “that it is the desire of Mr. and Mrs. Burgess that the ground shall he « playground and rest ground for the younger children of the district, and I ask you to look upon it as a trust and not to allow the elder and bigger boys and girls to push aside their younger friends.” Mr. Wilson mentioned that, as Illustrating the force of a good example, he had been out in another part of the town concerning the acquisition of a property, and the gentleman who was acquiring it had made up his mind to reserve a- section for a children s playground also. Mr. Wilson then formally declared the ground open, at the same time hoisting a Union Jack which had been presented by Mr. and Mrs. Russell. . . ; In a letter to Mrs. Burgess, which i the Mayor read, Mrs. Russell mentioned I that the flag had a history in that it I was flown on the Government Buildings in Capetown in 1002, when Lord Kitchener proclaimed peace. Cheers were given for the flag, Mr. and Mrs. Burgess and the Mayor, and the National Anthem was sung. Mr. Burgess gave Mrs. Burgess the credit for the accomplishment of th» idea of a children’s playground, and urged the need of such grounds on account of the large amount of mo.or traffic on the streets these days. There were plentv of sections vacant m New Plymouth, and he hoped that some ot them would be set aside for the children. He also expressed the hope that the ground just opened would be used and that the parents would take an Interest in it If it. was used and fulfilled a want he would hand it over to the Borough Council. Mr. Burgess concluded by thanking the Mayor for opening the ground. The thanks of the people of Vestown to Mr. and Mrs. Burgess were conveyed bv Mr. Jas- Garcia, who said that such a’ well equipped ground in the district would relieve mothers of great anxiety. He apologised for the unavoilable absence of the president of the WestoWM Progressive Association (Mr. J. s- >-■

Medley). . , Renewed cheers were given for Mr. and Mrs. Burgess and for Mr..and Mis. Russell, after which the children present were each given a bag of sweets ere they resumed their play.