The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, DECEMBER 13, 1901.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 289, 13 December 1901, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, DECEMBER 13, 1901.

CAMPAIGN AGAINST UGLINESS. A. KEMARjcABr.E campaign lias been commoncod in America. It is a very ambitions effort compared to that of the Gisborne Beautifying Association, but the object is really the same in principle and in proportion to population, excepting that the wealthier place is starting late in the day to do work that should have been done years ago. The Municipal Art League of Chicago has planned a campaign whose results the.country will watch with interest. It proposes to enrol 500,000 members, each pledged to give 8s a year to beautify the city. Doubtless the membership will fall below the half million, but it will be largo enough to help inestimably in spreading art ideas which are even in <re important than money in the war agaiust civic ugliness. A correspondent writes : “Now' and raw as Chicago is as the inevitable condition of its rapid growth, discouraging as may bo the aspect of some of the smoky canyons that mar its crowded centre, it has already given proof of its possession of organised public spirit. The White City that rose to fade away again liko a dream of beauty first called to it the attention of the whole country ; more permanent fruits of enlightened interest, such as the Lake Drive, the splendid park system, tiio public library, the art museums, ajipeal irresistibly even to the prejudiced visitor.”—We are then told that what Chicago undertakes for the public good she pushes toward completion with energy and generously supports. Horo tire practical ideas of the Americans como in. A writer points out that the artistic betterment of a city is not a “fad.” It is business—certainly a very pleasurable one. The beautifying of Paris, begun by Napoleon I. and forwarded by Napoleon 111., its adornment by splendid public vporksj the regularity and beauty of its streets and buildings and its fame as a centre for the study cf painting and sculpture have been worth to its trade and to the wealth of its citizens more millions than can readily be computed. The Government of New Zealand are certainly doing splendid work in developing the colony’s natural beauties, such as those of the Wonderland of Itotorua, mayliap some day those of Nuhaka, and it is well that the people should encourage what is being done in that direction. The Flower Show which was hold yesterday has its value in the value in the way of cultivating the taste for the beautiful. No State or Society efforts can eclipse those of individuals taking a delight in their homes, and making- the surroundings beautiful. It is often noticed that one pjvson of artistic taste and industry can take ulff lead in beautifying a j whoio neighborhood. All excellent j example being sot, and the result or the work admired, others readily follow into line, and a healthy rivalry in inculcating the beautiful is created. The great Chicago, with its wealth, I nraj' do wonders, but it can never exceed in the beautiful what could be done, and wbat to a groat extent is being done, in Gisborne. Here we have no smoky canyons, but we have got soil and climate with which few places can compare, and with a general and united effort a great deal can be done. Before next summer, in addition to the work that is being modestly and quietly done by the Beautifying Society, we hope to see an effort made to turn our beach to more practical account as a bathing place and resort for town and country people. When the frontage to the railway grounds was taken it was understood that the Borough Council would be given the control of that area. If the Department is not reminded of that promise or understanding, it may be forgotten altogether. It is a pity that an effort i is not made to plant the sea-shore portion with shade-giving trees, Some I

Hi the soil that is li dug brought in on , trucks, and tii" prut-cuuu of tfie fence, j would enable success to be aehiocod. j We hope that the .Mayor will bear this , in mind. 'J he beach frontage, with j successful tree-planting would be of | far more service than the most effec- j tive work that could be done at \\ aihirere. The Waikanae beach has a . magnificence of its own, but the need i of shade on hot days will always keep j it from being used as it ought to bo. j