The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1883-10-02 00:00:00

THE PROPOSED PLEASURE GROUNDS.

The following is the text of a document which we
believe will be laid under the notice of the Mayor and
Corporation :
"There are, I think, few towns in which so little
is done for those who live by daily labour as in the
town of Poole. Maly people a imit this to be the
fact, but, unfortunately, they of t.n elvocate the
raising of rates to do first one thing end then another,
with the molt that either nothing at all io done' or
eloe the thing is done very ineffectually, and is
grumbled at ever after.
" Now, tyke the wide extent of the Borough of
Poole, end see how little chance there io of giving to
all p 'rains of it equal jueties in return for anything
levied by rata extending over the entire area. Hence,
liaise Mellitus and jealousies, resulting in the p mt.
ponsinent f many matters which might be done to
prom da the health and happiness of those who live
by daily labour. I look at it as • thing affccting fir.t
of all those who live by duly labour. Th se who
are rich can take excellent care of themselves in
matters of health, recreation, instruction, anl im-
provoment generally.
"Those who live in Poole can hardly expect to have
things dune for them by rives, at the expeues .4 those
who live at a distance from the town, and would not
benefit from such outlay. That would be unjust
altogether. The main object, therefore, is to try to
have the p aition of those who live by labour in Poole
improved by methods that do not require to be paid
for out of the rates. Keep down rates in all possible
ways. and reduce rates.
" If the Wesleyans in Poole want a fine building for
a place of worship, somehow they easily find the
money to pay fI. what they want—Es,ooo or so. If
the church people want to enlarge au.l adorn their
place of worship they set to work to obtain subocrip-
dons to pay for it, say two or three thou/mid.. If the
Salvation Army want a barrocke, somehow it fi. di
money to meet an outlay of £3OO or so on the building.
It the parish church wants a handsome window, resort
is had to bazaars or other device. There seems to be
abundaoce of money forthcoming for all such purposes
without aid from the rates.
"If the people of Poole want a recreation ground
there ought to be desire on the part of rich and
poor alike to procure it for them at once without in.
creasing the rodeo, which means without increasing
rents. Surely, the people of Poole ought to have •
nice pleasure ground available for sports and
festivities, with walks, seats, and fountains. Also,
beyond a doubt there otuiht to be a museum with read-
ing.room attached, and the best plan would he to have it
inside the pleasure ground. Baths also might be there.
By this arrangement lees cost would be incurred
for keeping them up. The museum should
illustrate by exhibition the various industrial teals* of
the town and neighbourhood; standard books should
be supplied from which those engaged in producing
such articlee might get useful guidance, and so
Improve their own prospects. Many people, rich, and
at a distance, would glady present to the museum
models, books, pictures, etc., and specimen, of
natural history.
"All these things Poole nmeht to have, but certainly
the cat should not c .me upon the ratco. The rotes
ought to be reduced comiderably instead of Increased.
"Bat beyond doubt the administration of local
expenditure should be kept quite clear from political
disputes. Could anything be more absurd than to
make questions like public baths, recreation grounds,
museums, etc., for tins town of Poole to be in any
degree weatever mixed up with politicial dioptit,s
about the Suez Canal, Cetawayo, the Deceased Wife's
Sister, Madagascar, or • score of other things about
which Pull anent may wrangle to eternity without
improving the condition of the poor portion of the
ratepayers of Poole. Look at home first; it deserves
the whole of your attention. " J. UAWILUita $llOllO/1."