THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Ressurexi. FRIDAY, MAY 31, 1878.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2899, 31 May 1878, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Ressurexi. FRIDAY, MAY 31, 1878.

The question of a recreation ground for Thames was considered at a special meeting of the Borough Counoii last night, when several offers, received in answer to an advertisement calling for the same, were opened and briefly discussed, and a decision come to which, we believe, would not give satisfaction to the burges3eg, if if it could be consummated, which we have heard is not likely. The offers'received were as follows: Mr Thomas Spencer, 12 acres of the land known as Parawai Gardens, embracing the present cricket ground and pavilion, for the sum of £1000; Mr Boberfc Graham, 15 acres at Tararu, £1000; Mr Peck, 45 acres at Parawai, £350; Mr William Murdock, 100 or 200 acres in Kauaeranga Valley, at £4 per acre; Mr John Hudson, 2CO acres fronting the new County road, £3 5s per acre. .Now, it will be seen that the land at Parawai md Tararu, belonging respectively to Mr Sp oncer and Mr Graham, is limited in area, and a very high value is place upon it. It is true that races and other sports have been held thereon, and that the situation is convenient, but there are objections to both places, even putting aside the question of j cost. Perhaps a few persons may be found outside the Borough Council who favor the proposition to purchase the 12 acres of Parawai Gardens offered by Mr Spencer, and another select few who cannot see beyond the length of their noses may take umbrage because "New London" has not. beei chosen. These I petty personal considerations, however, must give way. The Premier has, we believe, promised that a sum of £1000 or £1200 shall be placed at the disposal of the Thames Borough for the purpose of acquiring "a People's Park." JS"ot a limit: d area which shall serve the purposes of a recreation ground as under* stood, apparently, by Borough Councillors, who would buy a paltry 12 or 15 acres, affording room to play a game of cricket or football; but an estate that can be made use of at once' for purposes of acclimatization, and that will ser.ve the purposes of future generations—not merely persons that indulge in horse racing, football, cricket and other sports, but the masses who care for neither of these, but can appreciate the " breathing grounds " which the advance of civilization has admitted to be necessary and desirable. The nearness to present centres of population which seems to make Parawai or Tararu desirable acquisitions for recreative purposes should not be considered. We should, on such a question as this, rather look to the future than to immediate requirements, and for this reason, as well as the price at which the land, can be acquired, we say that the offer 3 of Mr v i Murdock rid Mr Hudson are those which 1 should be entertained and seriously con-

siclered. Mr Murdock's 200 acre block has a frbnlaft-3 f;o the Kauaeranga Bivor, and possesses, we hoar, a flat 36 acres iv extent, which would bo a iiple for sporting purposes, while the remainder presents diversified features of scenery, &c, which would .mate it at once valuable for accli» matization purposes. The land is of very fuir quality, wo believe, and the distance' from town is not such as should be entertained as an objection. Mr John Hudson's offered lend joins the County road to Ohinemrri, and is near enough for all purposes now that a good carriage road has b~-n made to it. Mr Peck's offer of forty-five acres may not be objected to on the score of price, but it is not t big enough, and the* If nd is very much broken. We think; therefore, that the Borough should choose between Mr Murdock's r.nd -M? Hudson's offers. i Both comprise at least 200 acres, and | meet the views of what the Premier indicated should be acquired, and both are within ten minutea' drive of the present municipal boundary. Should Parawai be joined to the Borough, we believe Mr Murdoch's land will be comprised within the municipal boundary. We trust the Council will not decide upon buying any particular piece of lrnd until some expression of opinion from the inhabitants has been elicited. It is ft: matter that concerns the County as well as the Borough, and as public money is to be obtained to pay for the ground we are all interested in seerig that the best bargain i possible is made, and the most desirable piece of land secured.