this could be followed by a year &apos;s course of training in a horticultural institute where he will gain experience in fruit and vegetable cultivation . when he leaves the horticultural institute he should find employment in another parks department . then two years in a botanic garden , following this he should be capable of taking a foreman &apos;s job which gives him experience in dealing with staff . ( it is most encouraging to learn that the national joint council of local authorities &apos; services are contemplating a scheme for training in foremanship for the public park service . I welcome this scheme for it is badly needed . ) when about 25 or 26 the young man would be eligible for the course of training arranged by the institute of park administration . after that he may have to do a spell of practical work or as a technical assistant . by the time he reaches 30 years of age he should be capable of taking over the parks department of a small town or as a Deputy in a larger town . then the chief Officer of the parks department of the future will be an administrator with an all round knowledge of all activities under the control of the parks committee . there is perhaps one disappointing feature in public park administration , particularly in the London area and the south-west , and that is there are still many authorities where the parks department is under the control of another Officer . very often that Officer has not the interest of the public gardens and parks at heart . in such cases the man in charge of the parks loses his enthusiasm and the local authority never gets the best from the senior employee in charge of the parks department simply because he can not plan and plant according to his taste . gardeners are a peculiar race of people , they like to do the job their own way and can be very frustrated when a person with no horticultural training controls the business of the public parks and gardens and has the last word with the parks committee , whereas the parks committee should have the right to deal direct with the appropriate officer of the parks department . the third conference paper historic houses and estates as public parks by Mr F Hallowes , F.Inst.P.A , M.Inst.B.C.A , Director of parks , Nottingham , follows . historic houses and estates as public parks . prior to the 1914-18 war the majority of historic houses and estates in the United Kingdom were occupied by their owners , and in numerous cases the landed people owned these properties in various parts of the country , usually one in Scotland , and two or so in England , in addition to their London residence . this pleasant state of affairs had continued peacefully and uninterruptedly for many years but the advent of the war saw great changes in the ownership , control , and maintenance of these properties , largely due to heavy taxation , cost of upkeep , and the dispersal of staff during the war years . in many cases speculators bought up these historic houses and estates , stripped the mansions of their treasures , took the lead from the roofs and the timber from the estates , and sold the land for building plots and the buildings for hotels , private schools , etc . this trend has never been completely arrested and though many houses and estates are still in private ownership many others have continued to be used for a variety of purposes . ownership . a broad estimate of ownership of some 478 houses in the United Kingdom which are open to the public indicates that 56 per cent are still in private ownership , 26 per cent under the control of the national trust , 10 per cent owned and used by local authorities , 7 per cent occupied by government departments , and 1 per cent used as schools . from time to time figures published of the numbers admitted and the fees paid show that the public are anxious and enthusiastic to visit these places and enjoy the beauty of the grounds and study the history of their country &apos;s heritage . there is also the important factor , a very important factor these days , of the tourist industry . many millions of pounds are attracted to this country by tourists from various parts of the world who are interested in studying the centuries old houses and gardens , particularly those people from countries who have little history themselves . the percentage of houses and estates owned by local authorities for the admission of the public to the house and grounds appears to be a rather low figure and one would imagine that local authorities might with profit and prestige to themselves regard with more enthusiasm the acquisition of some of these magnificent places which from time to time become available so that their history and very existence may be preserved for the people . it is , I think , appropriate that local authorities should be active and responsible in the preservation of this country &apos;s heritage and it is regretted that opportunities appear to have been missed as ownership of such estates has enormous prestige value for a local authority . powers to acquire . there may be some hesitancy in the minds of local authorities in connection with their powers to acquire estates as public parks and the economics involved . with reference to such powers , the public health act of 1875 appears to give the necessary powers to acquire lands for public parks , etc , amended by public health acts amendment act 1890 and 1907 . the national trust act of 1907 deals with arrangements with local authorities and there is also the physical training and recreation act of 1937 dealing with the acquisition of playing fields , which may not be absolutely the reason for which an authority would wish to acquire property , unless the lands were extensive and recreation facilities might be provided without interfering with the character of the estate . some years ago the ministry of works set up three buildings councils to advise the Minister on the exercise of his powers in making grants towards maintenance and repair of historic buildings . the Minister also has powers to purchase , or to assist local councils and the national trust to acquire , as the case may be . a quarter of a million pounds was provided for preserving historic properties and a like amount for purchasing . for the year 1959-60 the sum of &amp;pound;425,000 was provided for preserving this type of building . the most recent report of the historic buildings council for England indicates that &amp;pound;500,000 a year is now provided for the preservation of buildings of historic interest and importance . it would appear , therefore , that a local authority keen to acquire an estate and property in their area would receive considerable support both by virtue of their own powers and by the readiness of the government to encourage such an acquisition . economics . with regards to the economics involved , some local authorities have purchased estates and have not only carried out a very good business deal for themselves but also acquired a beauty spot for their people . I find , however , it is rather surprising that ten per cent only of those estates that have become available during the last forty years are used as public parks . it is of paramount importance to the smaller but expanding town that its council , whenever the opportunity arises , acquires for itself an estate . it is an investment of the highest value which will appreciate as the years pass and will pay regular dividends not only in money but in the health and happiness of its people and the enhanced prestige that such a possession brings to any town or city . the question of capital outlay and maintenance may be a reason why some smaller authorities have allowed opportunities , no doubt reluctantly to go begging and have afterwards regretted their lack of enterprise . a local authority or combination of authorities should not hesitate too long if they contemplate acquiring an estate in their area . they should make their decision quickly , as delay causes deterioration of buildings and estate which ultimately lead to unnecessarily high costs in maintenance later . having acquired the estate , time should not be lost in laying down definite principles for the best use of the buildings , the advantages and disadvantages of various methods , car parking , catering , advertising and publicity , liaison with public transport , freedom from unnecessary restrictions for the public , provision and sale of publications , need for planting and bedding schemes . park administrators are , with their wide experience , ideal people to undertake the management of historic houses and estates . they clearly understand the needs of the public and in addition to the multitude of administrative matters which need expert attention they are sympathetic to the retention of the historic characteristics of estates which should at all costs be preserved . one unfortunately sees historic features carelessly lost when estates fall into unsympathetic hands . buildings are converted , handsome trees removed , novelties introduced which to the thinking person are gauche and repellant . many will have , I am sure , visited at various times historic estates hoping to enjoy their carefully preserved glories only to find numerous and varied catchpenny attractions which completely destroy the character and atmosphere of the place and cause the visitor pain instead of pleasure . I have always found parks people conscious of the necessity to preserve the character and atmosphere of any historic estate in their care and are capable of making the requisite provision for accommodating large numbers of the public and at the same time retaining its charm and grandeur . Nottingham &apos;s estates . three historic places are controlled by the parks committee of the city of Nottingham . Wollaton Hall , originally 774 acres , was acquired by the Nottingham corporation in 1925 for &amp;pound;200,000 ( a fair sum at that time ! ) . selective development by the corporation and private builders took place on the fringe of the estate and houses , schools , places of worship , and licensed premises , were built and part of a most valuable ring road was laid out . the buildings were designed in a style to blend with the existing character of the environs of the district and this area is now regarded as a fashionable residential suburb of the city , and the ring road with its mature planting and grass verges has proved to be a main traffic artery and has blended perfectly into the natural beauty of the existing estate . the financial return from this development , defrayed the actual cost of the purchase , and over 600 acres of beautiful park land , laid out after the style of Capability Brown still remains for the benefit of the public . it is estimated that over one million people avail themselves of this park each year . development within the park has not detracted from its original style - one can be excused such necessary requirements of the modern age as car parks and refreshment kiosks . a golf course covering 136 acres was laid out and although still under municipal control and available to any member of the public is leased to the Wollaton park golf club for &amp;pound;1,500 per annum , plus rates , the club maintaining the course and the club House . two herds of deer abound the park . a 35 acre lake is fished by fee and brings in some &amp;pound;300 . the building , Elizabethan ( 1580-85 ) , is used as a natural history museum and attracts 200,000 visitors a year . this is valuable for students from the neighbouring University and the City schools . the park still retains its collection of trees and the gardens are bedded out attractively . the 9 acre walled-in kitchen garden is now a most valuable nursery and makes a great contribution to the plant requirements of the department . the park has also housed over thirty major promotions , including the royal show , the Bath and west and southern counties show , and the royal command military tattoo , all of these events being accommodated ( inclusive of car parks ) without causing damage or disruption and without completely closing the whole of the park . the fact that a local authority can accommodate such functions as these not only attracts first-class publicity to the authority but also has a considerable economic and prestige value . 