A SOUTHERN TOUR

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 466, 26 April 1890, Page 3

A SOUTHERN TOUR

(Continued).

Dunedin Town Belt. Surrounding the city of Dunedin there is a considerable strip of land called the Town Belt which is held as a reserve for public purposes. This reserve divides the city proper from the suburbs, and all main roads from the city cut through it. . At the present time most of this reserve is just in its natural state. Other portions are literally covered with the common yellow broom,which in the Dunedin climate and soil seems to grow very luxuriantly. Other portions are covered with natural tall scrub, which in some places looks very pretty. Much of the belt is pretty broken, but as the city of Dunedin advances in wealth it is all capable of being improved, and in the future will form one of the greatest attractions of the city. From a number of positions fine views of the city and harbour are obtainable. When Dunedin becomes a large city this belt of vegetation surrounding it will be of vast benefit in supplying a large quantity of pure air, and thus keeping the air in a much healthier state. It would have been better for the other cities in this colony if they had also a large lung like this surrounding it. After leaving this belt I arrived at the most pleasant suburb called RoSylin. This I; thought by the class of houses and gardens surrounding them mußt be the aristocratic suburb. I strolled for about a mile -or so along what seemed to me the leading thoroughfare. On each side of the road were fine;houses and gardens. .By the appearance of some of the gardens it is evident that considerable taste has been displayed, and in some of them fine collections of coniferas have been planted which are making fine specimens. Nearly every house in this district commanded splendid views of the city and harbour. As I strolled along I got a short insight into the capabilities of this district for fruit-growing. Everywhere the fruit trees were sheltered, pears, apples, plums, etc., showed splendid crops, and not so much affected with insects as our own trees in the North. The young trees here did not seem to grow so quickly as the same trees with us, but the growth was much harder and firmer, consequent on the climate being much more severe. In the gardens I also saw any quantity of gooseberry hushes, also black, red, and white currants. In some gardens it almost .reminded me by their arrangements, class of vegetation, and habits of growth, that I •was in the outskirts of one of the large cities at home, where one could see all classes of hardy fruits, flowers, vegetables, etc., growing higgledy-piggledy together in small patches. The soil of this district is somewhat similar to what you possess in Ponsonby district, being stiff and cold, and requiring a good deal of labour and manure to keep it in first-class condition. Triangle Near Railway Station. Opposite the railway station there is a triangular piece of ground of from one to two acres in extent, which it was evident the authorities intend to make a beauty

spot. Tho triangle is; already fenced in, and a fine fountain placed in the centre. For some time I stood looking at this place and trying to imagine what a fine place it could be made with a few broad walks cub through it, and the balance laid down in lawn grass with a number of flower beds cut in the grass, and well fillod with flowering plants. It is too small' to plant trees in, and is only fit for small flower borders. Outside the channels of the side walk on both sides of the . streets surrounding this triangle, a row of deciduous bree3 would greatly assist in completing the picture. Those trees would also shelter the place from the cold sweeping winds which sweep along tho railway line. All visitors to Dunedin either by rail or sea must pass the place going to or- from the city, and therefore those in authority ought to beautify it to its greatest extent. It would not. now cost much to make, and being so small the annual maintenance would be very little after it was properly made. ' - ’ The Racecourse. Hortus is not a racing man) but being in Dunedin on one of the racing days) I was induced to go to the races.. Before arriving at the course ! was informed that it was the best in New Zealand. The course is perfectly level, and, I was informed, one mile long. It is bounded on two sides by part of Caversham, on one of the other sides by rising ground. The fourth side is bounded by sandhills, which divide it from the sea.; These sandhills will be about 30 or 40 feet in height. The grandstand and judge’s box are immediately behind those bare sandhills. Some of my readers will be able to imagine what a pleasant place it is to be in when there is a strong sea breeze sweeping over those sand-hills, as it was during my visit. Sometimes the houses are almost hid by the clouds of sand and dust. Ab other times you would think (while walking about and a squall comes over the hills) that a number of small pebbles were lifted up with the sand and dashed against the face, making it very unpleasant. I had to take shelter behind tho buildings when a strong squall was on. Id took all of that night for me to get rid of the pricking sensation on the face ; my eyes were sore for all the next clay. Certainly, for a wellsanded course it was the best ever I saw. Some of those who think so much of it should visit our Auckland course.