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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5341, 10 May 1878, Page 2

This suggestion made at. the last meeting of the WoUiugton Horticultural Society, that the, 'gardens of the date "Mr; Laullarn should be secured, to be used ns a nursery from ; which: plants, and : seeds ■ might bo:;distri--hutnd,' and as a place of recreation for the public, is an admirable one. It would be a matter to be deplored should the valuable and rare collection made during thirty years by j ; Mr. Ludlain be wholly destroyed or partially injured in order that the ground might be cut

up and sold for building sites. If the graceful shrubberies and beautiful plots were laid waste, the 'loss would be one that long years would, not see made good, and the apathy of. people who permitted it would he spoken of as disgraceful to them. To make such a place is the work of a lifetime, and .. for many _ years Mr. Ludlam brought all his skill and knowledge, backed by great energy and perseverance, to bear in making this charming spot what it is. Although we have our Botanical Gardens, some other place is required in which tender plants brought from warmer climes may be reared ; and it has been proved both by scientific theory and by actual experience that tho spot chosen by Mr. Ludlam at the Lower Hutt is highly suited for such a purpose. In the grounds are many shrubs and plants of great rarity, and of such an advanced growth that were they destroyed they could not be replaced until after the lapse of many years, and unless much money were expended upon obtaining others. A place of beauty to the unskilled, these gardens are a mine of treasures to the horticulturist and botanist. Probably they are unequalled in the colony, and as the Chief Justice said at the meeting of the society : “They are well adapted for the prosecution of the science the society desired to foster. It would be a disgrace not only to the community but to the colony if they were destroyed, to prepare the laud tor building purposes.” And with this we quite agree. The question, arises, how is the laud to be secured for the public advantage ? There is no hope that the General Government would provide the necessary funds, and there is no local body that could do so. The only mode seems to be to form a company or society to purchase the grounds and throw them open to the public. With reference to the question of maintaining and improving them it may he supposed that a considerable revenue would he obtainable from sales of plants, slips, and seeds to private persons, and to other public grounds throughout the colony. This question, not so immediately pressing as the raising of the purchase money, could not be overlooked, and although no funds might be obtainable from Government or local bodies in aid of purchasing the property, it is quite probable that annual grants in aid would be voted by all local bodies that could legally do so. The people who are most directly interested in the matter are the residents of the Lower Hutt, and it would be well if they would take action without delay. No doubt the members of the County Council would co-operate heartily, and they have power by law to give substantial aid. There is one way out of the first difficulty, and it may be that there will be found a man who will follow it. In the old country there have been instances, not by any means rare, of wealthy people baying valuable pieces of land and dedicating them to the use of the public as parks and gardens. There are among us those who could readily buy these gardens and not miss the money, except by seeing figures in their books somewhat altered. They would never know the want of that which they had given, and as a set-off they would know that their name, as that of the bestower of such a gift, would he remembered with kindness and gratitude for years to come by thousands who enjoyed the result of an act of generosity and public spirit.

Thebe can bo no doubt of the existence here of a general feeling, which has been growing for some time past, that patients at the Wellington Hospital do not meet with that amount of care and attention which they ought to receive. The matter has been referred to on several previous occasions in our columns, and it is unnecessary to travel over the same ground. Bat as public attention has again been directed to the subject by reports of the alleged neglect of a patient—a girl suffering from low fever —we may point out that people will not be satisfied until an alteration in the conduct of the establishment is made. It will be some considerable time before the new hospital is completed, and something should be done immediately to put the old building in a better state of repair, and to add to its present accommodation. The number of warders and nurses should be increased, as well as their pay. lu saying this we desire to cast no blame on the present Hospital officials. It is the system rather than the individuals that we desire to point to as faulty. The increase in population here within the last few years has been such as to necessitate changes in the accommodation and management of all our public institutions, and this is especially the case with the Hospital, which nevertheless remains in pretty much the same state as it was many years ago.