Page:Municipal Handbook of Auckland 1922.djvu/116



On the amalgamation of the Epsom Road Board with the City, in 1917, the Epsom Domain was acquired. Up to the present nothing in the way of improvement has been done to it.

This area of ground was acquired by the City Council in 1918, under an arrangement with Mr. R. H. Abbott, who presented 100 acres of the area to the citizens, and is held in abeyance for Park grounds at a future date. Situated within the property is a large fresh water lake. The grounds at the present time are let for grazing purposes.

Small Reserves, formed at the junction of wide City streets, or situated at vacant corners of streets, have become a feature of the City's thoroughfares. Some are merely grass plots, which are kept neat, while others are large enough to be described as miniature parks, being replete with flower beds, paths and lawns, where seats are provided.

This Reserve is at the top of Shortland Street, and is kept in neat lawns and flower-beds. St. Paul's Church, the first church erected in Auckland, originally occupied this site. The monument to the Rev. J. F. Churton marks the position which the church occupied.