THE DOMAIN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 140, 15 June 1932, Page 10

THE DOMAIN.

REPORT OF EXPERTS.

BOTANIC GARDEN PROPOSAL. SHRUBS AND TREES, WITH GLADES. The comprehensive scheme which is to be prepared for the treatment of the Domain and its immediate surroundings is to embrace as far as possible the recommendations of the superintendent of parks, Mr. T. S. Aldridge, and the honorary city botanist, Mr. T. L. Lancaster, M.Sc, F.L.S. In their joint report to the City Council they said that any work to be done in developing the Domain should be in the direction of improving its facilities for the enjoyment and recreation of the public. They recommended that a considerable portion of the area should be used for the purposes of a botanic garden, developed on modern lines.

"A botanic garden mv.st be considered as one of the most valuable of the amenities of a modern city, and one that plays an important part in providing opportunities for the aesthetic and intellectual enjoyment of its citizens," states the report. "That such facilities are appreciated is shown by the large numbers who visit the well-known gardens of the world. . . . This botanic garden should be of the arboretum type—it should consist mainly of shrubs and trees, relieved here and there with grassy glades. The cost of establishment and upkeep would be small. For a number of years the only expenditure necessary would be for plants and planting and for the construction of a few paths. In this respect an arboretum differs from formal herbaceous gardens, which are very costly to establish and .maintain. Trees and shrubs of appropriate species, planted in suitable situations, will for the most part look after themselves.

Boundaries Defined. "We suggest that all the hind on the northern and western side of a line drawn from Kari Street along the Hospital boundary, and passing to the upper end of the straight path from Stanley Street, thence following the Domain Drive to the eastern entrance from Parnell, should be devoted to the purposes of an arboretum. This fulls naturally into two regions—the open paddock near the Hospital and the wooded region."

Dealing with that portion of the Domain containing about 20 acres, known as the open paddock, the report suggested that the area could well be given to the cultivation of exotic trees and shrubs from Australia, Africa, North America, Europe and Asia. The wooded region, of approximately 40 acres, should be kept for the indigenous vegetation of New Zealand, except for a portion of the northerly slope between the eastern portion of the Domain Drive and railway line. New Zealand vegetation should occupy the remainder of the woodland region, and thus form the central and most important part of the arboretum.

The sports grounds required no attention at present, but a little attention here and there would help to improve the remaining part of the Domain. It was best to do little planting, at all events at present, and by leaving large areas in grass give that sense of spaciousness and freedom which was so seldom enjoyed by the inhabitants of cities. Behind the War Memorial Museum was a region stretching to George Street and Titoki Street, on which a certain amount of planting seemed desirable to provide a background for the Museum. The present belt of gums and stringy-barks facing George Street should be extended along that street towards Titoki Street to provide a breakwind if any trees were to be grown behind the Museum. A small hollow between the United Croquet Lawns and the Museum was unfortunately planted with a number of specimens of Cedrus deodara some years ago. These, being quite out of keeping with the surroundings, should be removed and the hollow planted with the choicest New Zealand trees and shrubs. Native Ferns Only. In the large area occupied by the playing fields nothing need be done at prearea near the kiosk and winter gardens, except for the planting of such specimen trees, etc., as might be deemed advisable. It is very important that the fernery, which was now one of the finest in New Zealand, should be absolutely given to native ferns. No exotic creepers or any exotic plants whatever should be planted there. A much greater variety of aquatic plants might be grown in the ponds. It was unfortunate that so many specimens of Phoenix canadensis should have been planted in the lawns near by. Many could be removed with advantage. "The tiine3 are not propitious for the expenditure of money on financially nonproductive enterprises, and the City Council may not be inclined to make a substantial beginning at the present time," concludes the report. "In this case the purchase of trees for shelter belts and the setting out of these might be done as a step towards the commencement of the garden itself. If it should be found impossible to do anything at present, the Domain should be kept inviolate until financial conditions improve. Nevertheless, as has been emphasised before, an arboretum, developed on the lines set out in this report, would cost very little to, establish and maintain."