AUCKLAND'S PARKS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 137, 11 June 1932, Page 13

AUCKLAND'S PARKS.

FLOWER BEDS AND TREES

KEPT AT HIGH STANDARD

THOUSANDS OF PLANTS RAISED.

A long report, giving details of work done and the condition of all the parks laud reserves under the control of tha City Council, was presented by the superintendent of parks, Mr. T. S. Aldridge, to the City Council. The report dealt with 16 parks, and numerous reserves, streets, ferneries, nurseries, and cemeteries.

I Albert Park, always regarded as the premier park of the city, had been kept up to the usual standard. The total number of annuals and perennials required for bedding purposes was approximately 27,189. The spring, summer, and autumn displays had been exceptionally fine, although the dry summer had entailed additional work, because of watering required for plants, trees and shrubs.

Work at Domain. Under No. 5 scheme a number of men had been employed at the Domain in clearing exotics from the bush, and approximately 1000 native trees had been planted out in the clearing. The propagating department at the Domain was always a centre of activity, and for planting in the various parks about 242,000 seedlings had been raised, together with 4180 pot plants for the embellishment of the winter gardens. About IS.OOO bulbs, and 3000 rock plants had been raised from seeds and cuttings. Approximately 0077 seedling trees and shrubs, mostly native , , were now in boxes and later would be transplanted in the nursery prior to finding a permanent place in one of the many reserves. At the fernery about 100 varieties, many very rare, had been planted during the year, at Point Chevalier and Harbour View much work had been done, and at Harbour View 200 native trees were planted during last autumn.

With tiie exception of replacing a few trees that had failed, no planting on a larpe scale was carried out in the streets.

Recreation Areas. All the recreation areas had been popular with sports players. At the Western Springs Stadium, the Domain, and Victoria Park all the playing areas had been much used. Football and cricket matches were played on all three fields, and at Victoria Park approximately 22,320 players used the tennis courts, and 1290 players the bowling greens during the year. In addition to the annual report, the superintendent supplied a report upon ••• suggestion made recently by Mr. F. H. Leonard, a member of the parks committee, regarding the planting of shrubs, etc., in place of annuals. The superintendent said the system known as herbaceous gardening had been in favour in England for a number of years, and no doubt involved a considerable saving in labour. The many improvements and attractions to the city reserves carried oiit under No. 5 scheme would, in the near future, entail additional work on maintenance staff, as to maintain all such works without engaging extra men would necessitate a change in the upkeep of our floral parks. Albert Park was the principal floral park of the city,and though a large number of shrub? and herbaceous plants were permanently placed, a large number of annuals wcro used, and were necessary for a continuous display. The propagating department liad "been very active during the paat two seasons in growing from cuttings various flowering shrubs and herbaceous plants, and these would be distributed to the various parks during the coming planting season. Flowering shrubs and herbaceous plants added considerably to the attractiveness of any park, and tke planting and rearranging of such parks could be carried out gradually, and as the stock became available at the nursery.