BEAUTIFYING OUR STREETS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 225, 17 January 1911, Page 8

BEAUTIFYING OUR STREETS

HONORARY RANGERS APPOINTED. At the Borough Council meeting last night, the following letter was read from Mr. 1". P. Corkill, addressed to His Worship the Mayor:— Dear Sir, For nearly twenty-five years, long before a Beautifying Association was formed, I have been endeavoring to add to the attractions of our town by the planting of bulbs, etc., in the neighborhood of my home, and the result is such n display of lloral beauty as cannot be beaten anywhere in the Dominion. I wish the mi nibers of the Council would take their wives to see the masses of a.gapantihus, both blue and white, at present blooming in Ridge Lane and on my adjacent properties. Unfortunately, some people think that, because Ridge Lane is a public street, and the 'flowers the property of the public, any individual, may take those flowers, and so deprive the public generally of the pleasure to be derived from seeing them. Almost daily during the last two months 1 have had little unpleasantnesses with persons thus 'helping tliemI selves to public, property, and it is no uncommon thing to see armfuls of blooms being carried away for decoration of churches, graves, or homes. 1 would respectfully ask tlio Council to help me in my eHorts to beautify our town by taking steps to prevent this constant spoliation. I recognise that the indefatigable Tippins cannot be everywhere at the same time, and therefore 'suggest that t'he Council might make an appointment of honorary rangers for the special purpose of keeping an eye on the trees, shrubs, and: paths which iiave been set out in our streets and municipal reserves. The Rev. I°. G. Evans, Mr. J. Paton and I are willing to assist in this direction if the Council will avail itself of our services. One reason why I have not importuned t'he Council to improve Ridge Lane for tratlie (its I might very reasonably 'have done) 'has been my desire to keep it in its natural condition as long as possible.

Speaking on the matter, His Worship said that there were some magnificent blooms there, which were very mucii , commented on by residents as well as , visitors. The same remark applied to [Baines' Terrace, where the arum lilies were a perfect picture. But he had seen j the llowers gathered in armfuls. They would much rather see the blooms on view for months—a continuous bloom—instead of them being carted away after they were a little while in bloom, as had been done in the past. The place was a public thoroughfare, but he thought the Council had power to protect the llowers. In older countries, His Worship said, he had seen fruit trees on the footpaths, and the fruit was gathered as a source of revenue which went to maintain the roads, and no one thought of taking the fruit away, but regarded it as semi-sacred. "The bump of destruction is very largely developed in some people in New Plymouth," he said amidst laughter. He moved that Mr. Corkill be thanked for the letter, and the the Rev. F. G. Evans, Mr. J. T'aton, and Mr. F. I'. Corkill be appointed honorary rangers, with the view to prevent the spoliation of trees, plants, and shrubs planted on borough streets and reserves. . Cr. Browne suggested putting up notice boards first so as to inform the public not to take the flowers. The motion was seconded by Cr. Gilbert and carried.

Clean water, charcoal and sharp grit are are important to poultry as the daily food.