128 FIRST COUNTY PARK SYSTEM 
there appeared to be little interest in the subject, either 
within or without the commission. During the autumn 
(1895) it continued to be a frequent topic for discussion at 
the board meetings. The land agents were requested to as- 
certain at what prices land that might be needed could be 
secured. Their reports indicated that the cost would be 
large, and that, if a park was established there, it “would 
come high.” Finally, on October 28, the report from the 
architects and engineers was received. It was very moder- 
ate in tone and conservative in character. Of Weequahic 
Lake they wrote: 
“We feel that it is our duty to say that this lake and its 
surroundings can, in our opinion, be made an attractive and 
valuable adjunct to the park system, at a moderate cost, and 
that it will, when so improved, provide what is desirable 
in this section of the county.” 
This was, I believe, the first expert opinion making any 
favorable reference to that park site which had been re- 
ceived. It seemed to modify the convictions of some of the 
board who had entertained adverse views on the question. 
I am free to admit that the report brought up in my mind 
the question as to whether I had not been mistaken in the 
conclusions I had before formed from the examinations of 
the tract and of the surroundings. The project still made 
slow progress in the commission, notwithstanding this re- 
port and the urgent advocacy of Mr. Murphy. 
In November, 1895, it was decided to acquire some of the 
property—the Cooper tract, the Ougheltree farm and land 
belonging to Daniel Price—in the Waverly district, but not 
including Weequahic lake, upon which the land agents had 
obtained options. The estimated total cost of the land 
within the lines of the architect’s map that had been tenta- 
tively agreed upon was, at this time, $180,000. 
FAIR ASSOCIATION’S STOCK. 
One of the stumbling blocks in the way of making prog- 
ress in either direction toward any definite result was the 
