A CITY BEAUTIFUL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 32, 1 November 1907, Page 3

A CITY BEAUTIFUL.

WHAT IS BEING DONE FOR. WELLINGTON. CHANCE OF NEW' RESERVES. Like the lady who "looked very well at forty-five, in the dusk, with the light be-' hind her," Wellington is a beautiful city, when bohekl from cortnin commanding points. There are two main bodies who are trying to give a little colour to her complexion— lloivers, in fact—and to make her more presentable upon a near acquaintance. They are the City Council and the Scenery Preservation Society, and the present season of Spring, when Nature as well as woman looks her best, and when "soon shall tho high midsummer pomps come on." is a suitable occasion for reviewing their efforts. In the case of the Society this lias been already dono. The City Council's Plans. The Reserves Committee of the City Council has been actively engaged during tho past year. The cutting down of the hill for the making of tho Anderson Park at Kelburno has given the committee a supply of spoil on the Tinakori roadside for filling in the large depression at the entrance to the Botanical Gardens. The new flat ground so formed will be planted with shrubs and • flowers. Moreover,' a path, ton feet wide, has been constructed from the entrance to tho Gardens near the Kolburno Kiosk down towards their centre, and the Council will be asked for funds next year to continue this v path right down to connect with tho main path leading, out to the Tinakori Road. The City Engineer (Mr. W. H. Morton) has now under construction in the Gardens an attractive band rotunda, which it is expected ■ will be completed within two or three weeks. Tho, Chairman of the Reserves Committee (Mr. J. P. Luke) informs us further that entrances arc being made to various parts of the Gardens, with approaches from different parts of Ilelbnrnc, and when these are completed the Committee' will request autlioritr to form paths from thorn leading into the main portion of the Gardens. As regards Kolburno Park, tho Committee hopes to have n very fine turf available there next year for purposes of sport. It will still bo necessary to deposit many loads of soil before tho Park is ready to receive seed for this object. Other Reserves. At the south end of Cambridge Terrace the two lengths set apart for shrubberies are looking very well. Seats are being placed on tho asphalted portions, and an asphalt path is being made from the central portion, vsown in grass, to give access to these. Tho eye-sore that is presented by the North end of the avenue is not more regretted by Uie aesthetic public. Mr. Luke explains, thaii by the Reserves Committee, \yhosc funds, however, will not allow of.any improvement in that portion of the reserve this year. When the estimates are brought down early next •year, the Committee will ask for funds with which to. make this wilderness blossom also as the rose." . • 'flic capacity of the Basin Reserve is being much overtaxed by cricketers and others, and after four weeks' play the turf is practically obliterated on many of the pitches. The Committee is of opinion, .Mr. Luke states, that the provision of an up-to-date and suitablo cricket ground should engage the attention of the Council very soon, it is a moot point whether the city should not set aside certain portions of the Town Belt and form them into recreation grounds for young and old. To Develop the Zoo. In respect of Newtown Park, the costly zoo lias sorely taxed the resources of the Reserves Committeo, and other, necossary work must wait. The Committee will recommend to the Council at an early date the desirability, not merely of maintaining the present zoo, but of onlarging it, and making it a source of in-, tprest and education to the people and of profit to the city. At the present time tho car revenue encouraged by tho zoo is no small matter, and if the zoo were properly developed the amount would bo much greater.

Tho Committee regrets much that it has had to refuse pitches ;it Xcvtown Park to many cricket clubs this year. When the Anderson

Park at Kelburno, together with tlie Duppa ytreo't and Kilbirnie recreation grounds arc actual facts, the strain in this respect. Mr. Luke suggests, should be considerably re-

lieved. "it is tho duty of the Council," states Mr. Luke, "to provide more grounds for the purposes of sport and recreation. Possibly grounds could be set aside- for the purpose on some portion of tho Town Belt, and leased For a term of years at a nominal rental to

he Cricket Association for the encouragement f its games." ■ : . • ' ' , .■ ■ On several small' reserves about the city, ir. G. F. Glen, Superintendent of the City

Reserves, has done good work with the staff and funds available. Tho City Engineer (Mr. Morton) has also been very zealous in rendering every assistance possible in matters affecting the improvement of the gardens and parks.

The Ecserves Committee regrets that it has titid no funds this year.'to spend on tho eradication of the gorse on the Town Belt.

t hopes that next year it will bo in a posiion to take this work in hand. For a com-

mencement tho Committ.eo has authorised Mr. Glon to' eradicate the gorse and plant with shrubs the Nairn Street Reserve, at the foot of the Brooklyn Hills. In accordance with a suggestion of the Scenery Preservation Committee, the Committee is prepared to givo facilities for making paths across certain portions of the Town Belt. -