BEAUTIFYING GISBORNE

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2176, 4 September 1907, Page 4

BEAUTIFYING GISBORNE

RECORD OF AVORK DONE BY ' PATRIOTIC CITIZENS. WHAT OF THE FUTURE? Citizens who tako pride in adding to the attractions of the town are called upon to doeido whether they can afford to lot tho -Gisborne Beautifying Association die for lack ol sustenance. Its presont condition; may he diagnosed as a had attack of mipecuniosity; tho proper prescription is financial support trom the citizens and the Borough Council. Tho record of what was achieved in a few years proves beyond a doubt that tho Association lias boon the principal factor in beautifying tlio town; nearly all that has been done in this direction may ho traced to tho efforts of the enthusiastic,gentlemen who spared neither time nor trouble in tlio work. Formed about ten years ago, tho subscription was fixed at 5s per annum and good support was met with for a long time. Annual donations wore given by a large number of woll-wisliers, and it is worthy of note tho tho country people took

a commendable degree of interest- in the movement. Gentlemen of expert knowledge were at the head of affairs, and the pleasing results attained are well known to older residents. For the information of more recent arrivals it may bo well to refer to some of the work effected. Tree planting in some of the main thorough faros was first undertaken, and the dismal utilitarian aspect of many of the streets was transformed. As a rule the various specimens flourished like the green bay tree of the Scriptures, and the commanding avenues in Custom House and Peel stree.ts and Read’s Quay are typical of the attractions added to the streots which received attention. Unconsidered corners were converted into pretty little retreats, and when the eyo of the spectator now alights on these re-sorts around the town the credit, may safely bo attribiited to - the artistic taste of the Society. ■\Vhataupoko lias a prolusion of native and imported trees to grace its thoroughfares. This is due to

foresight of the residents in aiding the Society’s efforts, property-owners in many instances freely subsidising the planting in their neighbourhood. Over tho Kaiti bridge, the river hank is most picturesquely embellished, and forms one of the most pleasing aspects to he found in Gisborne. It is a tribute to the Society, which converted an ugly neglected hank into a charming walk, by tlio planting of pampas grass, cabbago trees, etc. Truly, the Kaiti residents entered whole-heartedly into the project and raised a good subsidy, but the question may well be> pint,—would! the work ever have been done liad the town lacked tho services of the Association? For no other reason tlie creation or

the- beautiful little resort between the Taruheru and ICaiti bridges would entitle the Beautifying Association to the thanks of tlio community. The drab river bank was transformed into a most delightful little park, charming to tlio eye and most popular as a place of assemblage for hand concerts and the like. This last undertaking. completed a couple of years ago, placed a liability oil tlie Association from which it has never recovered, and since that time little lias been done. Tho Borough Council voted a subsidy of about £IBO, hut enlarged the scheme to an extent that involved the Committee in an expenditure of £IOO over tlie original estimate. Thab the expenditure was fully justified no ono will question, for this sylvan spot is a credit to all concerned in the carrying

out. of the work. The Association was thenceforward unable to pay the salary of a gardener to maintain ill proper order t-lio planting in various places, and some eighteen months ago the Borough Council accepted the responsibility for maintenance. At present, as indicated, the Association is at a low ebb, and it remains to be seen whether the' citizens, will show sufficient appreciation of the valuable work done in the past, and the scope for future operations, by reviving interest in beautifying matters. In addition to devoting so much time -to the woi'k, members of the committee have in tlio past subscribed largely, and also interested their friends in the movement. Under the presidency of Mr. George Grant, C.E., whose professional services have always been freely given, the officers of the Association, it' is understood, are willing to .continue their efforts, and it,is for* the public to lend their co-operation. The' best method of conducting affairs in the future would bo for the Borough Council to give a £ for £ subsidy up to a stated amount' each year. As past experience has proved this induces a large amount of public support. When the Council subsidised the river frontage work on tlie town side, the Committee met with an enthusiastic response, no les than £2OO being raised in one dav.

As to future scope, one has only to look around to see the many streets and spare corners susceptible to improvement. The town is not’ ,so well endowed wit'll reserves that any opportunity can bo missed. Compared with many towns, indeed, Gisborne.is backward in ornamentation, and no time should bo lost. Bead’s Quay along the waterside is one of the first places a stranger sights, and the impression given is unfavorable. Without interfering with the neccsary space for utilitarian purposes, the sloping bank can be made into a tastful sward of green, additional trees planted, and seats provided. It is a capital place for a little promenade and would be,much enjoyed by those who frequent tbe busy waterside. Other places along tho river can bo painted with (lie graces of nature. Kaiti can probably bo rescued from positive ugliness below the bridge, and there liiay still be a prospect of securing part of Kaiti Hill, superbly situated and with a commanding view, as a public reserve. It is a question of means, but in future years townspeople will regret letting the occasion slip by. The project was mooted years ago when the land could have been reserved at small cost; possibly the price it not yet absolutely prohibitive, and if proper representations were made the Government may be induced to re-instate the grant which regularly appeared on the Estimates. Putting aside this proposal, there ,is much to ho done. Along the river the services of the Harbor Board’s sand pump could doubtless, oftentimes be utilised with gratifying results for filling arid widening work, at small cost, preparatory to planting. Tho work already clone should he systematically maintained. In some places withered trees require replacing and tree guards re-erected, and there arc many property-owners who would he willing to subsidise beautification operations in their respective localities. The Borough Council owes much to tho Association, and seeing that tha suspension of work for a couple of years is so glaringly apparent, should hail the subsidy proposition with satisfaction.

In the past the cost has been borne by tho comparative few, • though, broadly speaking, the whole community has benefited by tlic outlay. The Committee can not lie expected to go on indefinitely making a personal canvass for subscriptions. Their feeling on the question, it is gathered, is that those desiring a continuance of beautifying should signify the fact by first- liquidating the present liability of £2O, and thereafter voluntarily forwarding their contributions. Members of the Committee consider that a definite Council subsidy would lave the way to much beneficial work, if t'lie Association depends-wholly on contributions, mean-souled individuals throw the whole burden upon tho generously inclined, whereas a subsidy out of the rates touches the pockets of all, according to their stake and interests in t'lie town. Gisborne, it may be repeated, cannot advantageously allow the officers of the Association to relinquish their public-spirite'd task.