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Page:Municipal Handbook of Auckland 1922.djvu/108

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AUCKLAND MUNICIPAL HANDBOOK


is used for the display of palms and pot plants of various kinds. The Winter Gardens were officially presented to the Citizens by Mr. Geo. Elliot (President of the Auckland Exhibition, 1913–14), on behalf of the Executive, on October 12th, 1921. The Mayor of Auckland, Mr. J. H. Gunson, C.B.E., presided, and, on behalf of the Citizens, accepted the care of the new building. The Tea Kiosk and the Band Rotunda, the latter the gift of Mr. J. M. Mennie, are other survivals of the Exhibition. The same citizen presented, at a later date, a statue of Robert Burns, in bronze, which has been erected close to the Bandstand. The figure, which is of heroic size, was the work of Mr. F. W. Pomeroy, R.A., and stands on a granite pedestal, the height overall being 27 feet. It was unveiled by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey, P.C., on November 5th, 1921.

The Botanic Gardens occupy an enclosed area, neatly laid out in lawns and flower beds, on the north side of the Main Drive. The greenhouses, of which there are nine, are open daily, Sundays excepted, for public inspection, and are of interest and value to both the amateur and professional horticulturist. Plants for the City gardens and reserves are propagated here.

A commanding site in the Domain has been granted by the Corporation to the Council of the Auckland Institute and Museum, and in the near future Auckland's War Memorial and Museum will be erected here.

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