THE NATURAL BEAUTIES OF WELLINGTON.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1713, 2 April 1913, Page 5

THE NATURAL BEAUTIES OF WELLINGTON.

Sir,—Not all of us-are..wealthy enough, to' drive about and enjoy the''scenery'' around ■ Wellington' in motor-cars. Jlost of us liave to oontent ourselves witli walking, and I .am sure that our appreciation is mors lceon and enduring it would be if our survey were conducted at the rate of thirty miles an 1 hour. -Besides, motorcars cannot get to such. places as the Crow's Nest. It seems a pity that some such placo is not made a centre of-attraction holiday, but our trams are converting us into walkless creatures; hence our fascinating spots * are pictured as visited by motor-ears and pedestrians' paradises arc neglected. The latest, favourite haunt is the Wireless Station, and I am glad to find that seats hayo.teen thoughtfully erected there for the public. We like a rest on, or at the end of, our way. So in the Botanical Gardens on Sunday afternoon scores may ;bs -seen, reclining'-in the open or /under' sheltering trees, even on, damp ground. . Now, I;wish to point out,that vistiors to tho W'reless. Station would do well to stop when they get to the Northland l Fire Brigade Station and turn to the right, up a series of rather unattractive steps, and then proceed round Harbour View E.oad; They would find the distance only a trifle longer. But before going further let'mo express regret that Northland is not better laid put. This is the compltiint, indeed, of several residents, with whom I have discussed the question. That narrow road at tho back of several houses was one mistake. It practically, secludes Harbour View Road,. whereas an easier and better connection with-the Main Koa'd •could have- been.'contrived without' any difficulty.- Even now, if ,the residents are wide awake, it may- not be too late' to make'a very nec'esairy correction. Before 1 tho -.'.steps were erected the narrow .path •Wo 9' easy enough to ascend in good weather, but in wet if fcccame' so slippery, that pedestrians, in their struggle to keep their looting,' tore oil'-nearly all 'the palings at the side fence. So far, the steps are an advantage, but tliev are by no nifans tho access there should have-been. In fine weather it is easier to walk uphill ttyin to mount steps, and these have been so contrived as, to prevent the option. Such was said to have been the skill in designing them I hat 'the workmen used to laugh, saying that if they followed the plans the steps would have ended high in the air over one of the fences. Another mistake is that Harbour View Itoad at its highest extremity is made a blind, road, unless one cares to -jump down ii steep thirty-foot precipice. Why the road at this end should have led to .this precipice, instead of to the Mi)ili Itoad, is a problem. But leaving theSe mistakes ami going a little forward, the traveller will forget them, charmed with the supreme seductive loveliness of a most harmonious .ami, commanding view, with a delightful foreground near him, and ft most pleasing glimpse of. the ocean in the distance. On a hot summer afternoon ho will find himself grateful for the deliciously cool shade of a hill that at the same time protects him effectually from any unkind northerly if such.there be,'and invites the gentle ocean zephyrs. I would suggest that a few seats should also be provided here, for the retreat is an ideal one, especially at tho time when tho hillsides are covered thick with flowering gorso and broom, for those who wish to rest and whilo away an hour in comfort, with book or magazine, before a.'most luxurious prospect. Residents of. Northland should' immediately fee to it that this naturally attractive,; though '.' littleknown, spot. ..should hi no longer'hidden. They should put. up a signjwst at the loot, of tile steps and, planl a few hospilablt'. seats along the roadside,iso (hat people riiav not only get to knuw what a , rich 'temptation and feast-for-the eyea is'af-

forded, but also yield freely and in comfort to thoi healthful 'blandishments of Harbour View Hoad, than which not even Auckland, wtili all her loud boastings of superior, loveliness, can supply anything more entrancing or more exhilarating. I have written this to induce visitors to the Wireless Station to step aside at times from the Jlain Itoad of Northland. It will not tako them nioro than two minutes longer, and will be worth tlieir while if tliey have never walked along Harbour View lioad. Of course they will find tho .view from the Wireless Station more extensive, but not a few features are quite different.—l am. etc., PEDESTRIAN. March 17, 1913.