A NEW LAKE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2444, 24 April 1915, Page 9

A NEW LAKE

AT THE BOTANICAL GARDENS.

The Reserves Committee' of "the City Council has crowned a good year's work by making several notable improvements to the Botanical Gardens. The chief of those has been the formation of a fine artificial lake between the upper (southern) end of the main drivo and the fir-grown bank to the east. It is the site of what, used to bo called the frog-pond, but the whole prospect of tho place has been so transformed as to make it unrecognisable as the habitat of the irogs m our schoolboy days. By the erection of a stout concrete wall and excavation above it. a considerable area of water has been, imprisoned, and occupies 'a basin shaped roughly in the form of a harp, with banks shielded with massive boulders, in the interstices between which suitable plants are already showing promise of a healthy existence. The whole extent of the lake may now be seen from the path below the bandstand, and for those who care for a closer inspection a path is being made, which will traverse the' line of the lake and its boulder-bedded overflow, which has also been' planted with shrubs and plants that flourish in such surroundings. In the centre of the dam an overflow or by-wa6h is provided, making a miniature waterfall that descends info a small pool,' after which the water flows merrily over clean boulders under the bridge that spans the main drive. Above the lake the ground has been eloped gradually down to the water's edge, and is to be neatly turfed during the winter. ■ The water was only allowed to accumulate duriug the last day or two, but the garden stream soon filled tho area to a depth of between 3l't. 6in. and 4ft., and when visited yesterday afternoon by the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke), Mr. George L ( 'rost (chairman of the Reserves Committee), and Councillors R. A. Wright, Martin Luckie and L. M'Kenzie (members of the committee) was flowing freely over the by-wash. Some mallard ducks have already been placed on the lake, and' later a couple of swans are to be located there.

Another improvement for whioh the money has already been allocated is the provision of a new main entrance. The present one at the head of Tinakori Uoad, in addition to being unsightly, allows the north-westerly gales a free sweep up the main drive of the gardens, currying clouds of dust which cut the flowering plants to pieces. This entrance is to be done away with altogether, and the site .is to be prepared and planted by shelter trees that will net as a shield against the northerly blasts, whilst the corner just outside the gates is to be taken into the gardens and the footpath on the- eastern side of Tinakori Road will bo joined up in a gentle sweep to that. which Banks the iiarori Road. A new en-

ranee to - the gardens is to be made .bout 75ft.- «p the Karori Road from

the old entrance. On either side the •fence is to be curved symmetrically iftto the main (double) gates, admitting the public at a point on the main floral drive where every -prospect pleases. The new stables and mess-room, erected in concrete brick, with a rough-cast finish, are now in occupation, and are a distinct adjunct to the administrative side of the garden affairs. It should bo men-

tioned that the ornamental work, including the formation of the lake, has been carried out under the supervision of the superintendent of reserves, Mr. O. F. Glen.