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in which the Shoreditch representatives on the Council lent valuable assistance^
this Committee, in view of the offer of the Vestry to contribute £2,000 towards the
purchase-money, recommended the ouncil to devote about two-thirds of the area
of the square for use as a recreation ground.
The Council agreed to this course, and a conveyance to the Council was
executed by the owner under the Open Spaces Act, of so much of the square as
was agreed to be used as a recreation ground, and the Vestry borrowed from the
Council the sum of £2,000, which was paid to the owner as the Vestry's contribution
towards the purchase-money.
Mr. Arthur Scott, of Rotherfield Park, Acton, the owner of the square, was
also approached by the deputation, and he very generously promised to contribute
£300 towards the acquisition and laying out of the square as an open space.
The Metropolitan Public Gardens Association, whose chairman, the Earl of
Meath, lent the Vestry's case valuable assistance before the Council, have also
generously contributed £50 towards the cost of laying out the square, and the
London County Council have agreed to contribute £150 for the same purpose.
Arrangements have been made with the Metropolitan Public Gardens Association
for carrying out the work, and in the course of a few months the first open
space in Shoreditch (apart from burial grounds) will have been completed and
dedicated to the use of the public for ever.
(b) OLD BURIAL GROUND, HACKNEY ROAD.
On the 7tli day of July, 1891, the Vestry resolved to refer to the Burial Board the
question of opening to the public the Old Burial Ground in Hackney Road, which had
long been disused for burial purposes The Burial Board accordingly appointed a
caretaker (Henry Hyatt) to look after the ground, and on the 14th July, 1891, threw
the place open to the public. Such a large number of children took advantage of the
admirable playground afforded, that the grass on the central portion soon became worn
away, and sinkages in the ground caused water to collect in certain places in wet
weather, to the discomfort of the public. The Metropolitan Public Gardens Association
very generously offered to lay out the ground in a better manner, at an expense of £160,
if the Vestry and Burial Board would undertake to maintain it under the " Open Spaces
Acts " as a recreation ground for ever. This undertaking was readily given, and the
Association proceeded to gravel the central part of the ground, after the same had been
carefully levelled and drained. A few more trees were planted, and a number of plants
for the flower beds, and garden seats provided. The Burial Board erected some strong
wire fencing to keep the children from damaging the shrubs and flowers, and did
other necessary repairs, at a cost of £20 14s. 4d. The result was so satisfactory that the
Association arranged to have a formal opening of the ground, and on the 28th June, 1892
Lady Vincent, accompanied by Sir William Vincent, Vice-Chairman of the Association,
declared the ground open to the public.