CHRISTCHURCH ADORNMENT.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 9989, 19 March 1898, Page 5

CHRISTCHURCH ADORNMENT.

TO THE EDITOR OP THE PREBS. Sir,—The thanks of the 'community are due to all those peipona who have of* late taken in hand the improvement and the beautifying of our naturally flat, dull and uninteresting city. Nature has done les9 for Christchurch than almost any town in the colony, hence the necessity for supplementing it by art. An excellent beginning has been made, and there is no reason why our city should not become robed for its amenities and the beauty and attractiveness of its surroundings. Its educational advantages, and its Museum and domain are undeniably good. If the dullness arid monotony of its chess board and dead level streets are relieved by planting its numerous waste places it will be a great gain. I trust this season that the South Town belt Will have avenues of trees planted and the vaoanoies on the North belt be filled up. The City Council is to be congratulated for placing some comfortable seats, and it is to be trusted it will feel encouraged to put many more.

Amidst the good, it is pitiful to Besfhow busy the advertising fiend is at work in the way of disfigurement. I think Christohurcand neighbourhood are the most abandoned to this craze (as alas ! they are to so many others) of any part of the colonyi Some, thing, perhaps, can be done in checking the nuisance, and at all events the public telegraph poles ought to be left untouched. ' Much, very much, remains to be done, but the Eternal City was not built in a day. The grounds of the Acclimatisation Society are in a sadly neglected state, presumably for the want of funds. It is to be hoped the public, and especially property owners in Christchurch, will come forward liberally with subscriptions. They may feel sure thai every shilling given will indirectly return to them as a pound. The amenities of a town have far more than a sentimental value ; they have a market value, which in these practical days may be the best argument to use to some people. To all those men, whether of the Beautify-' ing Association, the Chrysanthemum Society, or the City Council, I say that you are doing thoroughly good work, and whilst congratulating you on what you have done, I wish more power and success to you for the future.—-"ours, &c, Art Natdb_.