34 J. H. MAIDEN. 



portant parks ought to have such accommodation, and 

 each chalet should be in charge of an attendant. I also 

 think that each of the men's conveniences should be in 

 charge of an attendant ; this would prevent people stuffing 

 boots and clothes down the pipes and performing other 

 selfish actions. We have much to learn yet before we 

 attach as much importance to public conveniences as people 

 do in England. They are a necessity of existence, and 

 their fittings and walls should be of the most approved 

 hygienic patterns it is possible to obtain. 



Rubbish bins are an essential in a public park. I am in 

 favour of iron ones similar to those used by the Sydney 

 Municipality, and which have been introduced into the 

 parks under my control. In Europe baskets of all shapes 

 and sizes are used for the purpose, but they become filthy, 

 have an untidy appearance, and are readily injured. Iron 

 bins of the kind referred to are readily emptied and cleaned 

 and effectually preserve edible rubbish from being eaten 

 by rats. Nevertheless it is a matter for regret that large 

 numbers of people refuse to put scraps of paper and food- 

 rubbish into any receptacle whatever, sometimes even 

 displaying considerable ingenuity in depositing it on the 

 grass, etc., when the attention of the ranger is directed 

 elsewhere. This cross-grainedness in human nature is to 

 be deplored, for the public parks cannot be kept in an 

 ideal condition except by the active co-operation of the 

 people themselves. The state of a public park as regards 

 tidiness in a measure reflects the habits of the people them- 

 selves. A dirty, carelessly kept park points to a neglectful 

 community. 



3. Water Supply. Drinking fountains in public parks should 

 Ibe sufficient in number and should have an adequate water 

 supply. Certain mischievous boys and other people delight 

 in wrenching off the cups, damaging the spouts and injuring 



