The Daily News. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 321, 22 February 1910, Page 4

The Daily News. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22.

TOWN ORNAMENTATION. Despite the good work fTiat has been and is being accomplished in the ornamentation of New Plymouth, the results of the various committees' labors have been more of a utilarian than an ornamental nature. The construction of pathways along the seashore, the opening of Baines Terrace, the "Lovers' Walk," and similar attractive localities to the public, are after all but bringing the natural resources into use, and stop far short of the ultimate aim of the promoters in beautifying the town. What is wanted in addition to thoroughly exploiting Pukekura Park, Marsland Hill, Fort Niger and the Es.planade, is a definite scheme of street beautification, wherever such may be carried out without militating against the free passage of traffic. One of the most striking features of municipal activity in Australia at present is the interest displayed in the ornamentation of the cities. In Melbourne especially the visitor is struck with the fine appearance of the streets, and by the care which has been so lavishly exupended on them. Along some of them ju6t contiguous to the footpaths, lines of skelter trees have been planted, while in a greater number of cases the middle line of the streets is occupied by brilliant flower beds. In some of our own towns, ornamentation along these lines has been carried out with good effect. In Wanganui, Pahiatua and many other towns in this Island, the planting of 6tiade and shelter trees along some of the streets greatly enhances thnr general appearance. In the South Island, more particularly, the cultivation of brilliant flower-beds on vacant spots and unutilised street intersections has had the active attention of a number of municipalities, with most pleasing a - esults. As we have stated, the most jioticeable features in some of :he streets of Melbourne are the ornamental plots. In every plot spray fountains continually play, thus securing even in the droughtiest season tropical growth and luxuriant vegetation. Along some of the footpaths also, on the 6ide remote from the roadway, gardens of exquisite beauty have been laid out, and neither around these no r around the ■plots in mid-street is there a vestige of a protecting fence. The secret of success, so the municipal authorities state, lies in trusting »the people, in '!e.veloping their artistic sense, and m keeping the dogs off the streets. If the adoption of street gardens in New Plymouth achieved no further object than in ensuring that the streets would be rigorously kept clear of the neglected curs, it would far more than achieve its purpose. We should like to see the. local Borough' Council make a move in this direction. The enthusiasm with which his Worship the Mayor has during his term of office forwarded beautifying works suggests the present as t'ie .most favorable time for initiating such street improvement features as we have suggested. A small expenditure only is needed to commence operations, which should, however, be part of a definite policy. A start might most conveniently be made in Liardet street, in improving and ornamenting the main approach to the Recreation Grounds. No one will deny that an avenue of shade trees, for .preference the beautiful native puriri,' would inestimably enhance the attractiveness of' this thoroughfare. Similarly Courtenay and Powderham streets, Devon street west, the approach to Marsland Hill, Eliot street, and other*, might, without hindering in the slightest degree the passage of traffic, be transformed, by the (mere planting of suitable shade trees, into delightful sylvan avenues. The cultivation of flower-beds, if not along the streets, at least on Marsland Hill, 'he Esplanaae and elsewhere, and on a more extensive scale in Pukekura Pail: and Western Park, is quite within the province of the Borough Council, which need have no doubts about ratepayers' endorsement and appreciation. We are not unmindful of the splendid work hitherto accomplished by bodies of pub-lic-spirited citizens, but in our opinOn a stage has now been reached at which the Council, assisted, of course, by such organisations as the Beautifying Association, should assume the lead, and evolve a definite, but not costly, scheme of town ornamentation. There is not a town in the Dominion that lends itself mor e naturally and easily to beautiflcation than New Plymouth, aud we hope that very soon the question will be taken up in a business-] ike way.