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things very promptly.”
There was general agreement that the park would not be of immediate benefit to the Chinese, but some thought that was no reason why it should not be a suitable project for the Jubilee. Given time the Chinese would realise its value.
In seconding Mr. Chater's resolution, the Honourable A. J. Ackroyd looked into the future. In spite of the objections that the park would not be used much by the Chinese, he said: “I think it would be of great advantage to them, if not at the present, in the future, because there can be no doubt that in the future — at least I hope it will be so — the Chinese youth from the public schools will freely mix in our games and amusements.’
Mr. Ackroyd spoke about another objection that had been raised. A properly landscaped park would interfere with the viewing of the races. Indeed, he too “would disapprove of the valley being turned into a garden and shrubbery.”
He envisaged a sports field, because "where there is so little level land in the Colony, we should utilise it to the best advantage.
It could also be used advantageously by the military, for “the troops can occasionally assemble to go through their exercises and the crews of Her Majesty's vessels can be brought on shore and put through their drill.”
Editorial comment on the park proposal was not entirely favourable. One editor made the point that the name Happy Valley was firmly linked to the oval where the horses ran, and it was doubtful whether the public would be weaned away from it. Not only that, but it was said future generations would associate the name "Victoria” with the City of Victoria, “rather than our much beloved and never-to-be-too-much-respected Sovereign Lady Queen Victoria.”
With only a bare flat open space and little chance of its users adopting or properly understanding the name "Victoria Park," the
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things very promptly.”
There was general agreement that the park would not be of immediate benefit to the Chinese, but some thought that was no reason why it should not be a suitable project for the Jubilee. Given time the Chinese would realise its value.
In seconding Mr. Chater's resolution, the Honourable A. J. Ackroyd looked into the future. In spite of the objections that the park would not be used much by the Chinese, he said: “I think it would be of great advantage to them, if not at the present, in the future, because there can be no doubt that in the future
- at least I hope it will be so --- the Chinese youth from the public schools will freely mix in our games and amusements.'
++
Mr. Ackroyd spoke about another objection that had been raised. A properly landscaped park would interfere with the view- ing of the races. Indeed, he too “would disapprove of the valley being turned into a garden and shrubbery.”
He envisaged a sports field, because "where there is so little level land in the Colony, we should utilise it to the best advant- age.
It could also be used advantageously by the military, for “the troops can occasionally assemble to go through their exercises and the crews of Her Majesty's vessels can be brought on shore and put through their drill.”
Editorial comment on the park proposal was not entirely favourable. One editor made the point that the name Happy Val- ley was firmly linked to the oval where the horses ran, and it was doubtful whether the public would be weaned away from it. Not only that, but it was said future generations would associate the name "Victoria” with the City of Victoria, “rather than our much beloved and never-to-be-too-much-respected Sovereign Lady Queen Victoria.”
With only a bare flat open space and little chance of its users adopting or properly understanding the name "Victoria Park," the
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