CORRESPONDENCE. MASTERTON PARK.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4372, 18 March 1893, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

MASTERTON PARK.

[the editor, w. d, times.]

Sir,—l have for a long time wondered why so little cars seemed to bo taken of the ttatcrton Park, and, now that the late storm has neccesiated employment of labour to clear away the fallen trees, it seems to me to be a good opportunity to make a few suggestions, In the first placo it must be obvious to anyone that the trees in some parts of the park are over-crowded, and would be benefited by a vigorous thinning, Many beautiful trees are smothered by the common and sombre finus insignia. Some indeed are dead or past help, and many more must follow if steps aronot taken to prevent them, Lois of those Finns imiijnis need cutting down altogether, and most of those that should remain, if only for the present, need topping to save them from being blown down in any future storm, There are also a good many etunted or diseased trees which should bo cut down. Then take the case of the deciduous trees, the oaks, elms, sycamores, etc. These are being mined by neglect, especially the elms. They all, every one of them, are growing too bushy. I presume they were planted with the idea of their eventually becoming trees, Some, more particularly the elms, are already hopelessly bushy and will never become trees worthy of the name. The majority may be saved from this fatp by a timely application of the saw and pruning book, The timber thus obtained from all the trees in the park might perhaps be worth giving away by the Benevolent Society during the coming winter for firewood among those who might desire it, Cattle and horses are very objectionable among trees. I could point out dozens of oaks, elms, ashes, mountain ashes, and shrubs that have been broken off and destroyed in this way. On one day I twice disentagled a certain grey horse's tether rope from among a lot of young trees and shrubs.. The horse neighed to me on the second occasion to come and get him out ot the knot, Why can't the fepco be made sheep proof and the park let (as ie done in.other places) for grazing

ahrep. A mm of money might in this way be revised sufficient to keep the place in order, minimising the danger of five in (In) summer, And let mo suggest that for certain reasons it is highly dosirable that tho g>ites should be locked itt sunset. If ihe park were lot for grazing sheep tho lessee could see to this. In conclusion may I ask you or any of your readers to state any good nnd sufficient reason why these suggestions, or sonic of them, should not be acted upon. I am, Yours hopefully, Park-rat. [The suggestions are exoellont ones nnd have already been considered by the Trustees. Money is not ) ct available for thinning and trimming tho trees and when tho Trustees tried to let the grass for sheep the objection was raised that on account of dogs it was not safe to turn them out so near to the centre of the town.—Ed. W. D, Times,