BEAUTIFYING EASTON PARK.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2147, 8 July 1920, Page 3

BEAUTIFYING EASTON PARK.

MW. BLACK’S SCIILMK. Al ;i spcrial meeting of the Borough Council on iMomlny night Mr I’. Block's scheme, for (he laying on! oT Ma.-don Bark was considered. Mr Black forwarded a plan, showing' the proposed Jay-onl, mid submitted I he following report in connection with Mime: — “In preparing this scheme, I have endeavoured, as far as possible, to plant out the unsightly surroundings and provide shelter for the enclosure. I have also carefully considered the important question of upkeep, and have designed with the object of making this as light as possible without sacrificing too much in effect. You will notice 1 have avoided (lower beds which are costly to maintain. In place of these 1 have suggested (lowering shrubs and trees which will give a line effect in a few years’ lime. If, however, it is desired to have more (lowers than space is provided for, beds may be formed on the south side of one lawn. It is intended that the native tree plantations be formed of the fast-growing varieties of onr native shrubs, such as Lacebarks, Bittospornms of sorts, Veronicas, .Wangiora, Karakas, Beech (X.Z.), Olearias, Cabbagetrees, etc., and Hint these be planted quite close together, say, averaging 4ft. to (ill. apart. The object is to gel a miniature native bush surrounding your park, with a more or less sheltered enclosure. The wide grass path for football spectators would be belter raised 18 inches ahove the adjoining levels. It, might be found when levelling the land that this improvement could be effected at no great cost. 3t would be practicable, too, (o lower tin; tennis .courts by.!) inches or 12 inches, and to use (he undersoil for raising the above mentioned grass path. All the elm trees should be of one sort, preferably the variety Montana. The weeping elms can best be obtained by planting standard varieties and over-grafting them when 10 inches high and well established. The Japanese cherries bordering path should law of two sorts only, viz: .1. X, Veiteh and Carnia Plena. Both those have the same habit of growth, though of different colours. All planted areas (other than individual liees) are better raised above the grassed level. Finally, I would strongly recommend you to secure (he services of a skilled man to execute the work, as the results will be in every way more satisfactory and not necessarily more expensive. If you approve of the design and wish to have the job done by contract. I will be pleased to draw up specifications covering the whole work.”

It was decided that a copy of the report bo forwarded to the Beautifying Society, and to ascertain if they are willing to undertake the semiring of some of the trees and Towering shrubs, etc.