CITY RESERVES

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 44, 16 November 1926, Page 7

CITY RESERVES

THE KENT TERRACE PLANTATION BUSHY TREES HINDRANCE TO MODERN TRAFFIC “HANDS ON TOWN BELT” POLICY ADVOCATED A citizen who yields to no one in bping a lover of trees stated that he hoped one very important consideration would not be quite overlooked in tlie Kent Terrace controversy, and that was whether a dense collection of overgrown trees, that bear foliage close to the ground, and for ten feet above it, should be regarded as a help or a hindrance to the rapid-moving traffic of to-day. “I would like to remind the public,” he said, “that the proposed rootingout of this mass of overgrowth at the southern end of Kent Terrace, including the cabbage trees, is not by any means the first time that trees have been ruthlessly removed in a wholesale way from this reserve. At one time the reserve was planted with two rows of macrocarpa pines and pinus insignis from end to end, when it was generally referred to as the avenue. But as ’the trees grew they became unsightly, twisted, and gnarled by the wind, and, being always laden with dust from the streets, were never anything to be proud of, so a previous council, on the recommendation of the late Mr. Glen (then director of reserves) removed them, at considerable expense to the ratepayers, who never protested in the least at the ‘desecration,’ but rather rejoiced in the substitution in the northern half of green spaces,, alernating with asphalt, crossovers, and in the planting of low shrubs in the southern end. “Those improvements have had their day, and the low shrubs that were to have formed an oasis of green have become overgrown, until the place is tangled and wholly disreputable, completely obscuring the view from one side to the other of the terraces, and blocking the line of vision at the corners. There is no one in touch with motor traffic who does not approve of the clearing-away of the rubbish that now cumbers the ground on this reserve in favour of green lawns and flower beds. These were, perhaps, impossible in the old days, owing to the flying grit and eternal dust storms that made life' so trying; but, thanks to paved roads, these restrictions on the culture of grassy lawns do not now exist, and the impossible of yesterday has become the possible of today. “Mv own view is that we nave shamefullv neglected our reserves, and that thd ’ sooner the council makes some practical use of them for the benefit and recreation of the people for all tiine the- sooner will the majority of the people realise that we have reserves. The ancient catcherv of ‘hands off the Town Belt’ was one of the silliest ever invented by misguided minds, for all that has been done with the Belt until recent years was to leave the greater part of it to cow-spankers, and allow the rest of it to become a nursery for gorse. I say ‘bands on the Town Belt,’ and let the citizens use it for any purpose that will be for their benefit or recreation. Surely if it will convenience a few iiundred people to have a road through the waste lands of the Belt as a shortcut, such a privilege should be granted them; and if there are citizens and ratepayers prepared to pay for the upkeep of tennis courts, bowling greens, croquet lawns, let them have as much of it as possible, for, as far as I can see, this is the only way such lands can be used for ‘the benefit and recreation of the people for all time.’ “‘Hands on the Town Belt,’ I say! Let us beautify it, and make playgrounds and golf links, as far as our pockets will allow us to do. and make it a real reserve that the people will gloty in and be proud of Let us move with the times. Let us even make mistakes—so long as we move ahead and struggle out of the tentacles of these musty old traditions that are the unctious trappings and suits of woe to a few of our more matured citizens.”