There is a necessity for adding this ground to the Park. The population is rapidly increasing. Every small open space is closed. Boys and youths who cannot afford to pay have no place for cricket except on public property. On Saturdays, the young of more than half a million of people come to Primrose Hill, or would come if there were space. This afternoon there were between 2,000 and 3,000, and if the day had been finer there would have been many more.
I showed to a gentleman well conversant with the district the ground I thought ought to be purchased, and he assured me in five years’ time, with the addition, space would be wanting, and strongly urged the publication of the suggestion. That, however, I am very unwilling to do so long as there is a prospect of the Government acting in this business, and I therefore venture respectfully to ask your decision.
Assume that the cost will be £20,000, it is only part of the interest on that amount the Government can lose. The State is equally rich whether the property is in money or land. The eighteen acres will make excellent sheep land, and must yield something, and the strength and health given to many thousand youths must speedily add to the national revenue far more than the remainder.
The financial side of the question is really quite insignificant, but the moral good done will be of the highest importance.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
William Ray Smee.
Regent’s Park North,
26th April, 1873.
Before this letter was answered the following was sent:—
Mr. William Ray Smee presents his respects to Mr. Gladstone, and, in reference to his communication of Saturday, wishes to say, as showing the importance of taking into consideration the rapid increase of population; that some years ago, when there was a field walk, but little frequented on weekdays, from Primrose Hill to Hampstead, he proposed to Lord Palmerston to purchase sufficient ground and make a road from the top of Portland Place, through Regent’s Park, and round Primrose Hill straight to Hampstead Heath.
This road along its whole length was to have been Park-like, to be used by carriages, cabs, and persons on horseback, would have added to the beauty of the West of London, and if the Government had thought it desirable, might have been made to repay its cost by the surplus land between Primrose Hill and Hampstead that might have been sold for villas.