SCENIC HIGHWAY

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 135, 5 December 1938, Page 4

SCENIC HIGHWAY

AUCKLAND AMBITION

THE ROAD TO ROTORUA

! A suggestion ' that, as a Centennial . memorial, steps should be taken to make the highway between Auckland and Rotorua the most beautiful national highway in the Dominion was [ presented at a meeting of the provih- , cial executive of the Auckland Provincial Centennial Council on ' Thursday night by Mr. W. R. Fee, states the "New Zealand Herald." He urged that the co-operation of all local bodies controlling the districts through which the highway passed should be sought. The formation of the highway to modern standards, he said, was now nearing completion and would not involve any large expenditure. If every | local body could be induced to organise and carry out the work in its particular district, the whole object could be achieved expeditiously and at comparatively little cost. The planting of suitable trees would naturally do more than anything else to beautify the; road, continued, Mr. 'Fee. It was not suggested that an i avenue of trees should be planted but that the trees should be reasonably spaced so that the view of the beautiful landscape would not be interrupted. The clearing and beautifying of areas left by the straightening of the road would provide much-needed-places for the motorist to crest and lunch. CONTIGUOUS BUILDINGS. In addition Mr. Fee suggested that scars left by formation work-, should be removed, together with.objects and notices which destrqyed the beauty of the surroundings. He also thought, that only the erection of those buildings that would be in keeping with the beauty of the highway should be encouraged. • "No doubt the State Forestry De-, partment would assist in the provision of suitable trges, and I believe that in many districts' farmers and others would voluntarilyf assist in the work of planting and caring for the trees in their early growth," Mr. Fee stated. "It is, of course, recognised that,trees are not suitable on a roadside where telegraph and electric power lines exist, but I fr 1 sure the great majority of owners whose lands border on the highway would facilitate the planting of the trees on their own lands along the roadside." . On the motion of the Mayor, Sir j Ernest Davis, the proposal was endorsed. It was decided to send a circular letter to the local authorities | concerned, inviting their co-operation and suggestions as to i the most effective means of attaining the object outlined.