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A USTRALASIA ILL USTRA Tl-l\ 



its future importance became recognized by a few far-seeing men, it occurred to them 

 that the swamp might be utilized and turned into ponds, islands and rich grass) banks. 

 Application was therefore made to the Minister for Lands to have the whole area set 

 apart for public use, and some adjoining private land was added. \Yhen the projected 

 improvements are completed, this long narrow park, connected as it is by a broad 

 boulevard with a nine-mile beach, will became one of the most beautiful and popular 

 recreation-grounds in the southern suburbs. 



The other reserves within and close to the city are not very extensive. They might 

 with advantage have been both bigger and better situated. Belmore Park, though inter- 

 sected by the tram-way, and lying close to the Haymarket hollow, preserves ten acres, 



KANGAROOS. 



which are enclosed but not much improved ; the site is a favourite one for circus 

 managers. Prince Alfred Park, adjoining the Railway Station, and therefore on the 

 borders of Redfern and Surry Hills, contains eighteen acres. It is a part of the 

 Cleveland Paddocks, the domain attached to the old Cleveland House which still stands 

 as a relic of past architecture, amid the busy streets and closely-built terraces covering 

 all the surrounding space. A portion of the old Paddocks was appropriated to the Railway 

 Station, and the present Park is simply a remnant. In one corner stands the Lx- 



