Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-08-20
SPENCER Bowen
in FAVOR Of
FAIRGROUNDS

| That amply equipped, Fairgrounds
| are just as important to the welfare
of the children of Honolulu as are
the public schools, is the opinion of
| Spencer Bowen, acting headworker Of
| the Beretania Settlement, who is one
| of those who are advocating the city's
taking over permanently the land at
Smith and Beretania streets, now
lowned by the Bishop estate, for use
as public playground.
In view of the fact that there has
been a possibility of the Beretania
playground being used for business
purposes, the Playground Association
|of Honolulu addressed a communities
ton to the board of supervisors, ask
ing its assistance in the matter OF
permanently securing the ground. Tne
letter follows:
"On behalf of the Free Kindergar-
ten and Children;s Aid Association, we
should like to cali your attention 70
certain facts in connection with the
playground for the children now main
tained by the association at Beretanla
and Smith streets. This piece Of
property is leased by the Bishop es-
tate to the association for a nominal
sum. its occupancy being subject to
termination at any time upon the ser
vice of three months notice. The as
sociation, during its two and one-hal1
years use of the premises, has gone
to considerable expense in installing
and providing playground apparatus
besides which the cost OF maintenance,
including the salaries of playground
workers and material, amounts to at
least $500 year.
"As this playground is In the most
crowded section of the city, and one
In which there is a great proportion
or children, it would seem most vi
tai thing that this be kept an open
breathing place. The value Of the
construction work done among the
children has been amply demonstrat-s
ed. We are now in receipt. of COM
munication from the trustees OF the
Bishop estate stating that they have
received application for the lease OF
lot out of this block which is want
eu as site for moving picture
show, which application the trustees
have decided to grant. The undeslra-
bllity of moving picture show IN
this particular spot need not be dwelt
upon. From this it may be seen that
lit may be only a matter OF short
time before the entire lot is given
over to building purposes. Realizing
the value of the land such as this VIII
be increased by the erection OF build
ings, would it not be economy, II
possible, to at once make a definite
proposition with the trustees of the
Bishop estate for permanent tenure!
Knowing the subject of municipal
Fairgrounds has been considered by
your board, and that you have certain
funds available for this purpose, we
would ask your interest and coopera-
ton in this matter"
In speaking of the great need OF
playground, controlled by the city, yin
the district surround the Beretania
Settlement, Mr.. Bowen said this morn
ing:
81 was present at the meeting of
the board of supervisors at which the
letter from the Playground Associa-
ton was read, and expressed the
views of one of the institutions of the
neighborhood, favoring the assistance
by the city in securing the play
ground permanently. All progressive
cities on the mainland have gone to
great expense to introduce play
grounds in the center of the most con-
gested districts. Chicago recently
spent S1S,000,000 in Fairgrounds, con-
demning valuable property to do so.
The children to be benefited at the
Beretania playground are to be the
future voters of the country and it is
important that they should have a SUI
pervised place to play, as it is that
they should have school. Aala Park
will not do for playground because
it is for adults and bullying takes
place. The present situation is ideal
because it is in the center of one of
The most congested neighborhoods of
the city, with a population of approx
iInately 1000. Children. must have
play. and if they don't get it the
citizenship of the next generation will
inevitably suffer-"
1t is understood that the letter from