WELLINGTON’S MARINE DRIVE

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 156, 28 March 1939, Page 5

WELLINGTON’S MARINE DRIVE

Beautiful Route To Exhibition

CRITICISM OF PRESENCE OF DESTRUCTOR

As the time before the opening of the Centennial Exhibition shortens it becomes increasingly evident that Wellington’s superb marine drive is destined to play an important part in that great fair, not only as the most freshening and picturesque route of approach to the exhibition in Rongotai, but also as a pleasant drive revealing the glories of the harbour and it* oceanic approach to the many thousands who are likely to visit the city during the year of its centenary. Already the city corporation has tackled the job of widening this road where it most needs- that attention, a work that is costing the city many thousands of pounds, but which will result in a permanent improvement of incalculable value.

In the opinion of many there is only one blot in this scheme of improvement and beautification, one, unfortunately, always -before the public at the gateway to this superb drive. That is the continued existence of the destructor and 'morporation yards. More than a year ago the city engineer presented a plan for the complete transformation of this area. It showed the eastern third of the corporation yards area transformed into a lovely reserve with trim lawns surrounded by borders of flower beds, and here and there a flowering shrub; and, at the northern end, a reserve for tepid baths. Hopes Not Realized.

About the same time in reply to complaints about the destructor and the ash its chimney omits daily, it was said that by April 1, it might be [wssible to dispense with the use of the destructor, if not altogether, to a large extent. From the present outlook there does not appear to be any prospect of this coming to pass. It seems now that there is no intention of transforming the eastern section of the yards into a reserve this year or next. Nor is there any very immediate prosjiect of the destructor going out of existence. 1 It has also been suggested on several occasions that it would be worth while to take more advantage of the wonderful possibilities as a look-out and place of rest of Point Jerningham. The road has been widened and a footpath provided during the last year, but, between that footpath and the water there juts out on an easy grade a mass of rock which could be made tin ideal sun-drenched.rest park. Some rock levelling, a little concrete and a dozen garden seats would make this place a Mecca for those who love the ozone and the moving pageantry of the harbour.