FLOWER BEDS AND LAWNS.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19137, 21 October 1927, Page 5

FLOWER BEDS AND LAWNS.

I- SPACES TURNED *$ Si" SPOTS ' 1 „ O RKOFTHEA.A.A. ' with its conatitution lu '"JtJTifey adopted «t thi» outAlhbuf.cn Asßoclation months and fl-eiapro™-*SSUi B t--aneo work effect* dm *i*M bring abo.lt the wholejSj* of every ratepayer and fencing of the appearance Kwfc tkm creating a brighter 2-rfi, one which should appeal There is ample *Srf the practical value of beau- . u t he numerous well-kept **l«rieul«laontin various "Vh ito totfn ' In Btriki " g Co "' Jl their rough itftte pfio* to Zfi«ati» o' t* l * Association, some ,Z*i*»«** beflr fln att "f Sir*"' rtliev4a * ith flower itftttitt shrubs, and bordered 83** A » *•"' foll °** y6at Jl'tjtttteHtof th 6 work injLtftoi sventuftliy those far*gjjfcSilitteilt of tho Associa. in the gatisfftc J'jjßjJfteirintentlooß and hopos ; ' v jHY«r's Work. VJ.& put year about £OOO has L_-j a jmjntenance and further cmb«i4 tlii being made possible acco/ded. the AsrtfeVbt pla- The'most importiliWHty at present is the 3mjiMtaid reeonitruction at the on tho corner of PjAltfi streets.. Here, the Coroi&'fjlV erected to commemorate jftsafef «i Klnff Edward VIL, idsSte naoved to. the entrance to jjnljt tin water's edge, a Httlo !p|rfft*Wt«r Meel. The fonco jjibtak takes out and several of t«4Wshs« been uprooted. A tWtb'pOJKl his been feclaitnij* tford more, pathway, and ' Mncrete retaining Di jwdd in place of the fptitrifKito structure which per. (Misntouive overflow and somefi miend tbe tithway almost imAt some fuftotiejsDrwyond that portion : i fcti \w« wtUimed will probl/> set off the oral entrance, it*tatt «il|Jferectod on cafh ft. which are being *M«rtV Hit, Ctork, ore a vast Ijtweit Vfn }he old, state of Huthn (ten the moans of conthis entrance to Wwj, •» if to be hoped that the gW«t»1hllb« encouraged by the frjft'M la the Domain by Utowuoa, ist remove the niifi&^ttnwarpa, h e d R o which [WgW.ttie West street frontSLat 1 fJWJ Wj«i thus enabling travelWllMrt.tnito to obtain an jHPtnfiyof tho beauties of tho jHra*,t*l'the above a resume llffj* *WHm out by the Works PW{ Co4unitteo> under tho

chairmanship of Mr H. L. Barker, is as follows: — The pathway running through Oak Grove from end to end has been improved during the year, and weeds have been kept in check by treatment by oxide of iron. When further supplies of this arc obtainable, it is anticipated that the path will remain free from wced3 for some considerable time. It is proposed to keep mown a strip on either side of the path, but to render this .practicable it will be necessary to remove some trees that are out of alignment. This matter is now under consideration. On the south Bide of Walnut Avenue, Viminalis gums have been planted from the railway line to the West end. This variety is one of tho most beautiful of the hardy sorts, and is noted for its graceful growth and freedom from loose bark. These quick-growing ireeß .should considerably improve the appearance of this over-wide thoroughfare. The portion of this town belt near the gasworks has this year received sadly-needed attention. The soil along this strip is perhaps the poorest in the borough; in consequence, few of the trees planted many years ago have made much progress. The nature of the.soil limits the selection of trees, but the Association has replaced the worst trees and has cultivated tho Soil at tho base of tho trees. By careful attention it is expected that the trees "will now make faster growth. South-East belt, which -was planted with elms two years ago, is now frequently referred to a a ''Elm avenue." The trees generally have made very good growth, and the improvement is marked when tho trees ate in leaf. These trees ate subjected to much buffeting from our north-west winds, and it has been a matter of great difficulty to prevent damago by scraping against the necessary supports. No planting has yot beeii done in Mona square. It will be remembered that this was perhaps the most unsightly reserve in the town, but has been very considerably improved. Tho A.A.A. has planned to plant a fringe of golden ash trees, Which in later years should present a beautiful sight. This particular tree •was Hot procurable during last planting season, but the necessary number is now being grown to order ready for planting next season. Careful attention has been given to the native plantation close to the traffic bridge. The class of soil here is patchy, and not sttitabld for most native trees. The present endeavour is to encourage, tho growth of a shelter belt, which should materially assist the progress of tho main plantation. A number of replacements were necessary this winter, and it is expected that thero will be fewer failures when the hardier trees afford some shekel'. The West street reserves have been much admired by visitors and residents, and have been maintained throughout the year in good order. There are quite a number of small triangular plots that have been under" the care Of tho Association/ the trees on which are now making some show. Bare Spaces have been brightened by i the planting of geraniums and other | plants. . j This year .much encouragement has been given to the members of the Association by the interest shown by some ] of the residents, and in Several cases offers by residents to plant and tend plots at their own expense have been gratefully accepted. Despite the large amount of improvements '.that have been effected, there are numerous proposals for further works, and if the Ashburton public should be successful in raising a large sum at the forthcoming gala, they may rest assured that tho town and suburbs will benefit in the future.

One of tlio future projects is the construction of a rivor walk through the riverbed from the water tower to tho traffic bridge, and thence down to tlio South-East bolt. Tho schomo is somewhat ambitious, and will involve a largo, expenditure, but when completed will be much appreciated. Many of the residents of Alford Forest road and Short Btroot aro. hoping that a stock routo will be formed along the riveW bod, so aa to obviate tho necessity for driving sheep and cattle along the main thoroughfare through this portion of tho borough and Allenton. It is understood that there is a possibility of this being given consideration by the County.Council, and until something definite is decided upon it is improbable that tho Advance Ashburton Association will do anything in connexion with the river walk.