THE PUBLIC GARDENS.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12827, 11 June 1907, Page 6

THE PUBLIC GARDENS.

In his report to tho Domnin Board on the condition of tho public gardens, tho new curator indicated the necessity for a number of improvements which have for somo time been recognised ns desirable by tho habitues of tho gardens. Created in the first place out of unpromising material by tho skill of the late Air Armstrong, the gardens have always needed moro money spent upon them than has teen available, and of lato years tho starving process seems to have been carried out to a degree that has had most unfortunate results, so far as tho appearance of tho gardens has been concerned. The effect of this policy, which has been forced upon the Domain Board by sheer lack of means, is seen to-day in the long programme of improvements suggested by Air Dawes. To carry out these will probably require a heavior expenditure than tho Board has lately been able to indulge in, and it may be that thoy .will havo to be spread over a considerable period, a possibility which is another argument in favour of some scheme which would give tho Board a larger revenue. Lawns, flower-beds, shrubberies, and plantations, all need attention, and tho working plant, which is in a general condition of disrepair and decay, has \o be mado efficient. With regard to the walks, Air. Dawes proposes to make them considerably narrower than they aro at present. It will be well if at the same time he re-forms them in some places, where at present they are sometimes disagreeably wet and muddy. No mention is mad© in the report of tho so-called "Native Garden," where a number of native plants and 6hrubs are dragging out an existence in soil and amid surroundings utterly foreign, in many cases, to their habit. It is a travesty upoin Naturo for which there is no excuse. If it i 3 the best that is possible, it would be bettor to do away with it altogother, and utilise the ground for something else. But we cannot help thinking that there are places in the Gardens whore a representative collection of native flora could bo grown with some prospect o) their becoming an attractive feature, which would also have the advantago of being of value to student, of botany. It is to bo hoped that somo effort will be made when occasion offers, to effect this reform. The Domain Board's hope of obtaining sufficient money to make the Gardens a thorough credit to the city lies in their power of interesting the public in the tCork. Publio sympathy would mertn public support. But this, can only be obtained by making the Gardens a really popular resort. Thero is, however, a very general impression that a visitor to tho Gardens is expected to keep off the grass nnd to walk sedately along the paths, and that children, in particular, must not play there or run about, or make'a noise. The impression is probably to some extent a mistaken one, originating in some severely restrictive regulations, the effect of which has survived their but the result is that many people in Ohristchurch never go near the Gardens. This is certainly not ns it should be. Certain precautions against the vandal must be taken in all publio gardens, but apart from these, the fewer restrictions that aro placed upon tho public's enjoyment of their property, the bett«r it is. Even as they are, the Christchurch Gardens aro a most pleasant resort, but they could bo mudh more attractive and more popular, and tlie Domain Board will do well if they dovote their energies towards making them so.