AUCKLAND'S PEACE MEMORIAL

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 64, 15 March 1919, Page 19

AUCKLAND'S PEACE MEMORIAL

A SEMI-CIRCULAR BOULEVARD. FROM .MOTIONS CREEK TO ORAKEI BASIN. There is no city In the world which started with more beautiful natural features than Auckland, and In none has haphazard' development more completely Ignored them. I Of recent years there has been a growing j appreciation ot our neglected opportunities, and thousrh It is too late to rectify most of; the mistakes of the past, there Is still a wide field for great civic schemes, which combine practical value with a proper realisation of our natural advantages. Many X* i tins lire Jilrcutly in existence for tfee national and municipal commemoration of the end of the war, and the return of peace. One scheme which has created considerable Interest is that proposed by Mr L. illurst Seajjer, who advocates sl national memorial In the shape of a commemorative highway running from the Bluff to North Auckland. A modification of this plan, providing for a broad eenii-clrculur boulevard round Auckland, as the city's memorial, has been prepared by Mrs S. V. Irwin. The plan published on this page gives an idea of the route proposed, and tbe points of intersection with existing roads and tram lines. To those who have not travelled inj Europe the term boulevard can convey I little idea of tl-e imposing and beautiful streets, such as may be seen In Paris and other Continental cities. The Kuropean boulevard is as much as one hundred yards in width, leaving ample room for magnificent avenues of trees, grass plots, and; gardens, In addition to the ordinary fool and vehicular traffic of the street. At i commanding points of vantage on the | Parisian boulevards are large circular open spaces, with avenues radiating from them like the spokes of a. wheel. These are the ••Places." In the middle of the "Place" is either a monument or a public building. These "Places" offer commanding points of view and beautiful perspectives. Imagine the same principle applied to Auckland. A spacious "Place" at the bottom of Queen Street, with Customs Street East j and West, and perhaps a modified Shortland | Street, radiating from it. In the centre of the "Place" a monument or a fountain, the whole scheme combining beauty and f-on-venieiice. The top of Symonds Street couW have been treated in a similar meaner, and the Grafton Library erected in the middle of the "Place," with a garden all round, instead of being tucked away in a side street, as is now the case. In an explanation of her scheme tor a boulevard round Auckland Mrs. Irwin ex-1 plains that it would provide a link between the different suburbs, \jhlch now stretca out in every direction like the amis of au octopus, inaklug communication very difficult. It would also ibe the fluest drive in ■New Zealand, following a course from Jervols Road, over Cox's Creek, theu over Motion's Creek, following the rocky stretch of land which is part of the Western. Springs Municipal Reserve, round Mount Albert, .Mount Rosklll, Three Kings, One Tree Hill, and Ellerslie, ending up at the Orakei Basin. Each portion, it is suggested, should be named after some great battle in which the Dominion troops took part; thus, we would have the Boulevard of Galllpoii, of tbe Somme. of iMesslnes, etc. It is suggested that the rocky reserve and tidal creek 3at the western extremity of the boulevard might be converted into unique zoological gardens, and tbe native I vegetation preserved, the old "Stone Jug," [though deprived of architectural beauty, embellished with creepers and gardens and transformed Into a library or club, while botanical cardeue could be planted on Mount Albert, with tropical flora In the heart of the excavation. Other open spaces adorned with gardens, trees, and stotues, and affording views of the neighbouring hills and harbour, could be provided along the route of the boulevard until Orakci Is reached. Here it is hoped a model suburb will 3)e planned, connecting with Queen Street by an esplanade running parallel with the eastern outlet.