Are Our City "Beauty Spots” Beautiful ?

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 71, 15 June 1927, Page 11

Are Our City "Beauty Spots” Beautiful ?

Architects Say “No/” • GARDENING CONFECTIONS" **V\ T E all knew only too well the confections which do duty in Auckland as architectural accessories, the chef d’ouvre being one at Parnell Park entrance/* said Mr. A. J. Brown, A.R.1.8.A., in a lecture on “Garden Design from the Architects’ Point of View,” last night. “True.” he continued, “we have a plethora of scoria rock here, but why always fly to it as the only possible way of making: public gardens. Rook gardens are very charming in their right place and where they have the* appearance of natural stratification and outcrop—but for the embellishment of a city—-decidedly not! “With the formation of a strong body such as the Town-planning Association promises to be. we may look forward to a new ei*a in civic beautification. and I earnestly hope that tins body will pay particular attention to this urgent subject.” Albert Pa'rk came in for some criticism at question time. Mr. C. Trevithick said that the .place left much to be desired. “What a chance was missed in that park.” he continued. You have only to look at it from Victoria Street to see that." The flight of stone steps by the Society of Arts is anything but beautiful.” Mr. John Mitchell was incensed at tho apathy the public had shown in not turning up to the address in big numbers. The people seemed to be "too given over to sport” to have any civic pride. Another example of missed chances was the present suite of Anxat* Avenue. However, the residential streets of Mount Kdon had improved of recent years. Mr. M. K. Draffin, vice-chairman of the Auckland Architects* Association, under the auspices of which the address was given, bucked up the statements about apathy of the city.