VISTA PLANNED

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22593, 24 December 1938, Page 5

VISTA PLANNED

EASTERN BOUNDARY OF DOMAIN BRIGHT DISPLAYS ’ FOR CHRISTMAS Further vista landscapes in the Ashburton Domain are. planned by Mr D. H. Leigh (curator). Mr Leigh said yesterday that a splendid continuity of landscape design on the eastern boundary was at present broken by irregularity in the layout of the domain. He said that plans were being made to have the privet hedge round the lawn in the north-east corner of the reserve moved back and the grass plot extended so.as to have the grass border extending the full length of the brick fence erected by the Advance Ashburton Association a number of years ago. The rows of cherry, hornbeam, and chestnut trees would be extended to provide an avenue of trees and grass walk more than a quarter of a mile long. The designs in the domain provide many vistas. “Behind the scenes in any park department is always interesting to the public, as there is always something there of which they wish to learn,” said Mr Leigh, mentioning that when alterations were completed he wished to open the nurseries to the public. During the last few weeks many improvements have been carried out in this area of the domain. Part of the old curator’s lodge has been reconstructed into an office for Mr Leigh. The new soil-sterilising plant has been housed and the main shed moved back and altered for a toolshed. Quarters have been made for potting plants and sowing seeds. All the paths in this section and round the seed frames have been paved with “Most of the plots have been cleared of odd trees so that there is now more harmony of foliage and form,” said Mr Leigh in commenting on the show of frees and flowers in the domain for Christmas,

A particularly fine specimen of copper beech is at present in full leaf on the lawn between the Ashburton croquet greens and the tennis courts. An unusual purple effect is given by the sun striking the leaves. Concentrated work is being carried out on the croquet lawns by the domain staff in preparation for the South Island tournament next month. The lawns have been raked free of stubble and fleshy tissue so that they can be mown short and a fast surface obtained. Dahlias for New Year In the rose garden a wide variety of bedding annuals are beginning to flower. All the old roses will be replaced in the autumn. A colourful display of polyantha roses is at present showing. Two hundred dahlias in the circular bed near the bowling greens will flower early in the new year. This bed and others in the domain have been given a novel appearance by a surface mulch of husks from a gift of more than 70 bags of husks given by Mr E. Buchanan. Besides giving the ground a bright yellow covering, the husks will provide a mulch .tvhich Mr Leigh stated would keep plants moist for several weeks in a drought. • “Bishop of Llandaff is undoubtedly one of the finest bedding dahlias,” said Mr Leigh, when speaking of six of the species on the south side of the round bed. These are just beginning to flower a bright crimson, which is set oft by copper foliage. Round the bowling greens there promises to be a good display of petunias. Plants on the main drive from the corner of West and Wills streets to the centre of the domain will bloom during next week. There are small semi-circular bays in the following succession, bluestone lobelia, salmon queen dianthus, and imperial blue ageratum, to give the maximum display by mass effect. A bright background is provided by blue, orange, and red nemesia, while the whole border is inter-planted with zinnias. An informal border near the band rotunda will shortly bloom with zinnias, clarkias, petunias, scabius, mignonette, dianthus, godetia, echoltzias, shirley poppies, and many other flowers, ' Michaelmas daisies are set in clumps -to provide blue colouring in the autumn. Other beds will soon be bright with flowers, including a large number of varieties of marigold. Near the Te Marae tennis courts a novel effect will be provided by crimson-flowered tobacco plants and veldt daisies. A number.of pines, about 60 feet in height, have been removed from the oval near the children’s swings, thus opening up the island in the south lake. Here Mr Leigh hopes to naturalise daffodils. He' remarked yesterday that the banks in the domain afforded ideal locations for this flower, and he desired to obtain as many as possible for planting for next spring.

PRESENTATIONS AT ASHBURTON A gift of a travelling rug and cigars from men engaged -in the Ashburton Domain was made to Mr D. H. Leigh (curator) yesterday by Mr R. C. Major (Town Clerk) in appreciation of consideration shown during the last few months. Mrs S. Andrew, who will leave Ashburton 1 shortly to reside in Christchurch, was met by the congregation of the Ashburton Baptist Church, and presented with silver salad servers from members, by the Rev. L. P. Bryan, and a book from the Women’s Missionary Union, by Mrs Bryan. FLEMINGTON SCHOOL The annual break-up of the Flemington School, which was held in the grounds of the school, was well attended by parents and friends. A marquee erected on the lawn housed an attractive display of handwork and art work done by the children. Races were held, after which Father Christmas made his welcome annual visit to distribute presents from a Christmas tree. The chairman of the school committee (Mr W. B. Bryant) congratulated the children and their teacher (Mr L. A. Heyward) on the excellent display of work, on the appearance of the school grounds, and on the success of the year’s school work. He then presented a reward book to each child and special prizes as follows: —Mrs Heyward’s sewing prize: Eunice Smith. Most helpful boy: Ralph Lovett. Most helpful girl: Valerie Ede.