Denton Park For Highbury Folk
The first portion of Denton Park - a children's play area at Highbury - was officially opened by the Mayor this morning. The whole park, 32 acres in size, was given to the city by Mr. W. H. Denton some time before his death.
Many residents of Highbury attended and heard the president of the Kelburn West Residents' Association (Mr. C. Carney) ask for more amenities, the Mayor (Mr. Macalister) outline what could be done, and Councillor J. Roberts suggest provision of playing areas was an urgent necessity now that children can no longer play in the streets.
District schoolchildren planted trees as a late observance of Arbor Day and nodded gravely as the Mayor urged them to keep other children from damaging the trees.
Mr. Carney said it had taken till 1946 to convince the city fathers a transport service was necessary for the district; it had taken another eight years to convince them a playing area was needed. Now his association hoped more equipment could be provided and a three-quarter Rugby field laid out. A scenic walk was also wanted and "nice restful seats" for the district's mothers, too. But he also thanked the council for the work it had so far done for the area.
The Mayor paid a tribute to the late Mr. Denton who, he said, had acquired the interests of other members of the Denton family in the park and then donated the area to the city, to be called "George Denton Park," after his father, Mr. Denton had refused offers to sell the block.
OTHERS TO COME.
The Mayor said the improvements carried out were only the first of others to come. Next on the list were further excavations to provide a playing field and a scenic walk, Mr. Denton had provided for the income of the residue of his estate to be available for charitable, educational, and botanical purposes in the city. The Mayor hoped the trustees would make money available to beautify the steeper slopes of the area with colourful patches of trees.
Councillor Roberts said he hoped the residents' association would continue to press for more amenities. He said: "Tennis parks make make couples interested in each other. They marry and then have children; these need more parks and so it goes on. It's a very happy world that goes on like that.”
Bequest For Charity And Education
Income from £36,000, provided under the will of Mr. W. H. Denton, will become available for charity and education, in Wellington, according to an announcement made by the Mayor (Mr. Macalister) following yesterday’s
meeting of the Wellington City Council. Public bequests totalling £2000 had previously been announced.
The money will go to "Protestant charities and educational institutions in Wellington and the City Council will receive amounts, but only for beautification."
The will makes provision for the income in any one year going to one organisation, if so desired, and for the trustees to make the allocations.
Mr. Denton gave 37 acres of land for a public reserve at Highbury before he died. A play area is being formed on it.
After referring to the generosity of, the gift, Mr. Macalister said that the, Council would consider spending some of the income on the land Mr. Denton had given to the city.
Residents' Thanks For Gift Of Land
"The residents of Kelburn West wish to acknowledge the debt of gratitude we owe to Mr. W. H. Denton for his magnificent gift of 37 acres of land at Highbury to the city," said the president of the Kelburn West Residents' Association (Mr. G. Colin Carnie) today.
The announcement by the Mayor (Mr. Macalister) that the land had been presented to provide children's play areas and a sports ground made a red-letter day for the people of Highbury, who had waited so long for such desirable amenities, said Mr. Carnie.
"Not only will it be possible to provide much-needed playing areas, but, properly developed, the area will add substantially to the scenic attractions of Wellington," he said. "It affords one of the most delightful walks in close proximity to the city and commends a panoramic view of the whole of the area bounded in the north by the Tararuas and to the South by Cook Strait and the South Island, a view second to none
"We believe that as the years go by this land will become one of the most delightful spots around our city and will be a constant reminder of the vision and generosity of one of the pioneer families of the Capital City."
Land Given to Wellington City
Photo:
Mr. W. H. Denton (right) handing over to the Mayor of Wellington, Mr. Macalister, the certificate of title to 37 acres of land at Highbury which Mr. Denton has presented to the city. The area will be developed in part into two children's play areas and, with the addition of water board land, a hockey or football field is possible. Also in the picture is Cr. E. M. Gilmer.
Mr. W. H. Denton yesterday presented to the City of Wellington more than 37 acres in Highbury. The land had been in the Denton family for many years and the 84-year-old donor presented it primarily to perpetuate the names of his father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. George Denton.
In the last loan schedule to ratepayers £2000 was set aside for the development of the area. Work will begin almost immediately on the building of two children’s play areas. Above these, with the addition of corporation land, there is enough land available to form a football or hockey field. This is the only possible area for recreation purposes in the Kelburn West area.
Accepting the gift, the mayor, Mr. Macalister, said it was a very generous gift from a very generous citizen. It would be pleasing for Mr. Denton to see the area developed in his lifetime.
Mr. Denton is Wellington College’s oldest ex-student. He is a well-known figure in Wellington. He was on the Wellington College Board of Governors for many years.
From: The Dominion, October 1951