BARREN LANDSCAPES

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2673, 20 January 1916, Page 7

BARREN LANDSCAPES

TREE-PLANTING ADVOCATED SUGGESTIONS BY THE MAYOR The policy of tree-planting, whilo warmly urged upon the Government on account of its practical effosts, has also its aesthetical side. It was the latter aspect of tho subject which was commented upon at tho civic reception tendered -hy the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) yesterday to .the delegates to the Nurserymen's Conferenco. The Mayor said that a great many once-beautiful spots round Wellington had many years ago been 'depleted of their luxuriant vegetation. His memories of Wellington went back forty years, and even then the conditions round the hillsides were very pleasant and attractive. Ho had'been informed by early settlers that tho bush on tho -Tinakori hillside had been right down almost to the •water 1 s edge, and Wellington ' Harbour very much-resembled the Sounds they had in different parts of- New Zealand. In course of time, with the development of the City, these trees, which were things of beauty and and were not without their climatic influence, were removed. This was to be deplored, but for a number of years now they had been. _ pursuing an active policy of tree-planting round the Mils of Wellington. They hoped to see tree life again in places where it had formerly been in abundance. There were, however, many problems to be solved, and the task would bo no easy one. There were grass fires which became formidable ou account of the thick undergrowth, and vigilance would be required. He did not know of any body which was more deserving- of the goodwill of the people than the Nurserymen's Association. Not only were they performing a work of utility, but they were an important factor in instilling inHhe minds of the people a desire to see the beauty spots of tho country preserved and cultivated. Although they wore -now realising their responsibilities, there was a good deal that yet remained to bo done. With regard to the eastern side of Victoria Hill, for instance, he was oonvincod that if the citizens of 'Wellington would provide enough money to erect a dog-proof fence and lay out tho ground in grass and clumps of trees, they would obtain bett-er results than by planting the whole of the ground with trees. On the other side ofthe harbour the conditions were more favourable for tree-planting. ■ ■Mr. T. Horton said that if the matter of tree-planting were discussed at tho. conference the City < would benpfit from hearing the views of experienced men. Trees had been planted which were absolutely unsuitable, and-it was a ! great pity that money had been wasted in this way. There were now men on the spot who knew what olass of tree would do, and if tbeir advice and recommendations —which he had no doubt would be ■gladly acceptect—were tendered to the authorities, he felt that it would he doing the whole country a great servico. At the same time he thought splendid work had been done in beautifying the CSty. At' the Botanical Gardens and other resorts the measures taken had been excellent, and it was apparent they had someone at the head of affairs who was conversant with this class of work. The authorities deserved hearty commendation for whatliad already been-ac-complished.