GREAT SOUTH ROAD

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1079, 17 September 1930, Page 14

GREAT SOUTH ROAD

BEAUTIFYING ACTIVITIES TREES AND SHRUBS PLANTED Following recommendations from the Great South Road Beautifying Council, the work of improving the frontages to properties along the Great South Road is being enthusiastically taken up by both the local bodies concerned and the owners of property on the main road. The initial activities of the council were concentrated in improving the triangle where the junction of the Ellerslie Road and Great South Road form the apex of a triangle, opposite the site where the Harp of Erin Hotel stood. The idea was taken up by the One Tree Hill Borough Council, which planted an avenue of trees along the full length o*f the road running through its district. The Otahuhu Borough Council has agreed to plant creepers on its quarry reserve, to hide old disused rubbish dumps. The Auckland Meat Company and Messrs. R. and YV. Hellaby have carried out a vigorous tree-planting campaign, and along the frontages of their properties, on the western side of the road, have planted over 400 shrubs. The Auckland Freezing Company is at present engaged in planting shrubs on its property along 4he eastern side of the road, and before the season closes intends to lay out flower-beds. The public entrance to the latter property always presents the appearance of a well-kept park, with its trim lawns and well-tended flower-beds. The Mount Richmond Domain Board has carried out extensive improvements to the front of the domain, with the erection of a brick and iron fence, and some hundreds of trees have been planted in the domain, which has been laid out with a motor drive through the area and walks formed to various vantage points. This new breathing space is ready to be opened to the public, and the official opening ceremony will most likely be held on the next visit to Auckland of the Governor-General-The Manurewa Town Board has been granted the use of portion of a disused railway reserve in its district, and active steps have been taken to plant a shrubbery in that area, in addition to a reserve owned bv the board.

The latest efforts of the council have been centred on the triangle at Takanini, caused through , the concrete road deviating from tlie old road. This area has been cleared of overgrowth and will further be cleared of old stumps, and next year will be laid out in lawns. The local bodies interested in the beautification of the main highway have promised to donate shrubs for planting purposes. The Papakura Beautifying Council is an active body and is carrying out excellent work in the town district area.