CITY BEAUTIFUL AND THE BELT

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 202, 21 May 1919, Page 8

CITY BEAUTIFUL AND THE BELT

Sir,—Now that Ihs Town-planning and Beautifying Conference is sitting, it might iiot be out of place to draw attention to the manner in which the-Town Belt—a fine reserve which almost encompasses the city, and which should be its crowning glory—has been, decade' after decade, neglected 'by mcieesivo city councils until it is now a byword. Wellington has had a magnificent opportunity to put a wondrously 'beautiful girdlo round the city—pleasant walks, zig-zag tracks, pretty little plantations and gardens, with a rest-house here and there, and possibly a motor-drivo which would command a glorious view of thd • city,' harbour, and their near end far surroundings. Instead, little or willing liits been done at very great expense. It would. bo very interesting to know tho total amount of money spent on treeplanting on tho Belt in tho last twenty years and to compare it with the results achieved. The most successful planting is that done by Nature, who selects gorse as her favourite shrub It is a curious 'commentary on the council's management of the Belt that every lease provides tliat the land so leased must' l>e kept clear of gorse; that the provision is sel- ' dom obeyed, and yet lessees ere never prosecuted. Under such circumstances, is thero any hope from city councils in tho matter* of city beatification? In. this'regard Wellington is probably behind ovcrv other city and town in Australasia.—! am, etc., • TEAVELLSE.