THOSE BARREN, BALD HILLS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1772, 10 June 1913, Page 4

THOSE BARREN, BALD HILLS.

ATTEMPT TO BEAUTIFY. The City Engineer (Sir. W.. H. Morton) states that ho is extremely pleased with the way tlio troes plnntod in the Knrovi watershed have flourished, particularly with thoso which aro doing so well in the exposed positions on tlio top of tlio hill. They aro mostly pinus murioata. a quickgrowing piuo of a particularly hardy naturo, which does not drop, such a profusion of lieoclles as tlio insignis. These pines, which wore plantod about fivo years ago, are now from six to seven feet in height, and all aro fine sturdy trees, which should bo a foaturo in Wellington later on. "If you want to get the best view of tlw tixKM in tlio Ivarorl rosorvoir area, you ought to, seo them from Kelburne, or, better still, from tlio Tiuakori Hills, near tlw wireless station," said Mr. Morton tx) a Dominion reporter yesterday. "Wo plnntod about 40,000 twos in all there, and thoy aro doing,fine. They include any amount of varieties of hardy trees—mostly muricntns. larches, and silver aoacius. This will make excellent shelter for tlio growing later on of a careful seotion of liativo troes—wo do not want thodcciduous trco, but the evergreen. native." In reply to a question, Mr. Morton said that it waa not desirable, nor iraa it hardlv possible, to make bits of gardens on tlio Town Bolt. What was -wanted was a comprehensive scheme of planting, tlio form and character of which would do seen all dny and evoi'T day from all parts of tlio city. Wlmt ho wanted to get rid of was the baroness and baldness of the hills surrounding Wellington. They wore going to do their very best, amd tho Municipal Forester (Mr. MThcrson) had nlroady mndo a start by planting the stoop slopes of Mount Viotoria above Oriental liny. This is a spot exposed to tho full foivo of the prevailing north-westerly winds, and, if successful there, it is not expected tlint tliciro will bo very much trouble elsewhere. Already 50,000 young trees liavo been ordered for dolivery during tho next mouth or two.