OPAWA NEEDS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16550, 16 June 1919, Page 6

OPAWA NEEDS.

BEAUTIFYING THE HEATHCOTE

TOUR OF INSPECTION.

The river Hcathcote has its natunl beauty—in places, but the residents c;f Opawa and St. Martins through which districts it flows, fool that much could be done to improve it, and accordingly upon the invitation of the Opawa Welfare Loague, the Mayor (Dr. Thocker, M.P.), and Crs. Nicliolls, McKellar, and Andrews, members of the City Council's Reserves Committee, accompanied by the Town Cleric (Mr 11. R. Smith), and the.Cny Gardener (Mr U'ickeiis) made an inspection on Saturday afternoon of the river banks from Wilson's' road bridge to the Opawa bridge, it being proposed to beautify th© banks from the Tennyson street bridge to the Opawa bridge. The Mayor and councillors also had brought uiidor their notice various requirements of the district. They wero met at th<j Wilson's road bridge by Mr W. H. Tisdall, president of tho League and Messrs A. J. Poulton, J. W. Hillary, R. Wilson, F. C. Robbins, and Oscar Anderson, members. . Mr Tisdall stated that they had received a firm offer for eix months, at £3000, of eight acres in tho vicinity of the bridge, lor the purposo of a park. Men pointed out the sharp corner at River and Wilson's roads, which ho said it was desired should be round- i od oil.

A journey along River road revealed tho uneven surface of that thoroughfare, whilst an inspection of the willow trees on the bank convinced the Mayor and his councillors that a drastic thinning-out of them would improve* both road and river, and assist the Coal an:l Blanket Fund with a supply of firowood. The members of tho League showed tho visitors tho footbridge over the river at St. MartiVs road, and asked that it bo replaced l>y a traffic bridge, and the road carried through to the Opawa road. In tho meantime, for tho safety of tho children, they asked that wire-netting ba placed on the sides of the bridge. An inspection was then made of a yawning_ chasm in Church street, by the tennis coarts, caused hv shitigle-o't excavations. This it was pfainly apparent was a danger spot, and counrillnrs agreed with the members of tho League that-something was required to remedy the existing state of affairs. The representatives of the L n nguo next pointed oitt tHt tliov were discussing beautifying schemes tne pres n nce of the Tramway Board's "tin shed" on t-'ie river bank near the Opawa bridge was somewhat out of touch with its surroundings.

A m- p , (l jr," rnT T, nt wns then made to Mr T'sdal! s for afternoon tea, following which tho tonr was resumed. At tho cornor of Error's road and Opawa- rond it wns requested that the I'np nf the »-ord ho laid off, and a beauty spot made of tho t>!nt at the junction. The final noint, visited wns tho corner of Opawa* rond and York street, wher<» it was stated some kerhine wns required round the rrrnw} pint, and the pnPns fcnco round the oak treo taken down.