SUMNER MATTERS.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17408, 20 March 1922, Page 10

SUMNER MATTERS.

' TO THE EDITOR OS "THE PBKSB." Sir _As a resident of Sumner, it was i a pleasure to road "City Dwellers appreciation of the beauties of our borough. Witß. regard: to tree planting, many efforts have been mado iu the past, and a large number of trees have been planted, but owing to shortage of funds and tiio high cost of material, it has not been possible to fence off the trees tne remilt being' that a large number .have been lost owing to rabbits nnd sheep; still more have been destroyed by twolegged animals. The writer has seen numerous acts of vandalism committed, «iid upon remonstrating wjth the offenders hae been tpld in no uncertain language to mind his own business. A -short time ago a nw»n v#ns caught flicking off'the branches of a Norfolk Island piflo with hia stick, and behaved in a . wort objectionable manner when spoken " to. Last ltnring a flowering gum and a wattleion Scarborough, wore practically Woken to tho ground on© Sunday afternoon by a picnTdptttty tO'decorate thenbat#. Two Sundays later a beautiful root' of- ivy geranium waa pulled up and taken away by a picnic party. •Your correspondent Says that what Sutatter residents want is a little more., ginger. May Ibe permitted to say that the ginger is . there—what is wanted is * proper appreciation by all city dwellers or work done. A well-Known resident told me a few days ago that he and his sOn spent a Saturday afternoon planting a upot close to his residence, and Within twenty-four hours not a single plant was left. Some time ago a stil© .vat ereotej on Scarborough) and within a -few days the hand-rail was smashed , und the-steps backed with an axe. The / Borough Council (has just . completed "what is probably the most artistio tramWny shelter in Christchurch. Tho place has only been open a few weeks, and it 1b reported that damage has been : done to She sanitary Arrangements. These ore only a few of the discourageUsnta which those wllio are interested in tho progress of Sumner have to put up The activities of tho Sumner Beautifying ; Association have recently been. confined to filling the old creek bed at tho' Scarborough end of . the beach. A considerable amount of w&rk' was done by voluntary effort last winter, and it is hoped to get this area ready for planting .this season. The work involved id heavy, and many hundreds of loads of soil nhs required. Will the reaidents of Christchurch who enjoy the beauties of Sumner come forward and help financially, in order that the yark may be pushed on more quickly P „ Jt' nwy interest -your correspondent tio know that a movement is on foot to form an incorporated association to improve and beautify this borough. One of the chief objects of this association will be to run an annual gala and other , functions to raiso-money for bench and cither improvements, and to enlist Christchurch residents as members, with certain privileges, in return for which members will be asked to pledge-them-selves to do something for tne borough •very year. , This a&Adiation will have a good kick-dl.with. the proceeds of the last t*o galas, plus O' probable subsidy from • the Council, aid it is hoped that i..hristc&urch people will support us oa liberally qs they have supported the Suifamit road. As a borough we are rated, for the city Gardens; is it unreasonable to wik Christchurch to help us, firstly with money, but more important still by Showing a little mote respect for attempts which are. made to beautify the borough P ' To those \yho will not do so, jaay I convey a warning? The Borough Council,has been asked to appoint inspectors with the power of special constables, and in tho event of this being carried out 1 ; woe betide any offender who ia oought. . Witti, . regard to tramway, matters, I may say for "City Dweller's" enlightenment that the Sumner Burgesses' As- . Bociation is now hammering awny at tK» Tramway Board in regard to the treatment meted out to the seaside re- ■ aorta by the Board on holidays on which there ore rates. ' On such days tho provides a fairly reasonable sorT}<» up till 4 p.m., but about that timo the servioo is cut down by half. Tho result s that women with children are , rtnmdad ajt> the oeafiid© in order that ■ j racegoers pay be catered for. Under ItheM conditions people will not come to Sumner, and then we are.told that the " #wvk» does not pay.—Yours, etc., V. E. HAMILTON. Scarborough, Sumner. March 17th.