BEAUTIFUL HAMILTON.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 123, 25 May 1923, Page 1 (Supplement)

BEAUTIFUL HAMILTON.

LAND AND RIVER SCENES. Though nature has done much in the way of endowing Hamilton with many beautiful spots and vistas, it has remained for the Hamilton Beautifying Society to paint the lSy, so to speak, and on every hand can be seen testimony to the work of this very live body. In some places beautifying societies have developed into mere mutual admiration societies, but with Hamilton it is not so, and visitors always leave the town with the fixed impression that the Hamilton Beautifying Society has more than justified its existence. On arriving at the railway station the Society's work meets the eye immediately. Parallel with the station platform runs a garden of gorgeous flowers with neatlykept greensward, while at the station entrance a verdant lawn enhances the sombreness of the usual dingy railway station. Passing down Victoria Street, the town's broad principal thoroughfare, one passes Garden Place on the right. At one time this spot was an eyesore, but the Society soon got to work and transformed it into a shady rose bower, where tired pedestrians can rest away from the heat of the sun, the green lawn in front providing a pleasant break from the glare of the street. At all times of the day, in fine weather, the Garden Place rose bower has its full complement of weary wayfarers, who are deeply thankful for such a haven of rest away from the hubbub of the traffic. Further down the street a glance down Marlborough Place reveals further closely-cut lawns, at the foot of which the stately Waikato River sweeps silently down to the sea. Nearing the traffic bridge connecting Hamilton people with the suburbs of Hamilton East and Claudelands the road on the right is fringed with trees and more lawns, while on the left is the ever-popular Ferry Bank. Seated on the greensward under any of the many beautiful trees one can gaze down on the river, on the opposite side of which is the Soldiers' Memorial Park. Many memorials have been raised in different places, but few towns have hit upon such a happy idea as a memorial park such as Hamilton possesses. The park is tastefully laid out with winding paths and flower beds, while dotted about the lawns are all varieties of trees, each of which has at its foot a neat sign bearing the name of the fallen hero in whose memory it has been-planted. Between the traffic and railway bridges a path has been formed along the river bank. A walk along this path under shady trees'with glimpses of the river visible through the branches at intervals is something not to be missed. Townsfolk and visitors regard it as one of the show sights of the town, and its popularity with swain and maid has earned it the official soubriquet of "Lovers' Walk." From either of the two bridges can be obtained magnificent views of the Waikato River, that from the railway bridge looking down stream, with the many beautiful residences on the banks, being an especially pleasing one. The work of the Beautifying Society has had a splendid effect educationally upon the residents. In many streets residents have taken in hand the usual untidy strip of ground between the footpath and road, and by planting it in lawn grass and keeping the lawn well trimmed have greatly improved the appearance of the street. In one locality practically the whole street has been so treated with gratifying results, while in another locality a resident has wire-netted a portion of the waste ground and cultivated it as a flower garden. In vet another street an ardent lover ot "Kitty" has transformed the waste space into a very excellent little bowling green, on which he is able to secure practice at any time. Not only do the residents take a pride in their streets, but it is a very rare thing to find a badly-kept garden in Hamilton. On the other hand practically every front garden contains well-trimmed lawns and resplendent flower beds. On the right bank of the river going up stream and just below the traffic bridge is another beautiful spot well deserving of mention, and known as the Lily Ponds, the natural beauty of which has been considerably enhanced by the Beautifying Society. Before concluding any reference to the Beautifying Society, it is only fair to mention that it is subsidised by the Borough Council, and is well supported by the public generally.