Beautifying of Wellington

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 255, 25 July 1935, Page 11

Beautifying of Wellington

Sir. —At last there appears to be the possibility of something like a worthy effort being made to beautify Wellington, and the Beautifying Society is to be congratulated on its business-like start. Business people are, it is feared, too prone to look upon the beautifying of a city merely from tlie aesthetic side, and so pass it by as of no importance, but the beautifying of a city, one’s home, or anything else, has a real monetary value as well. In the case of a city, it makes it a nice place to visit, stay in, or perhaps even build a home in. All this brings in tlie money to tlie business man, as one cannot live anywhere without spending money. And witli what great possibilities Wellington lends itself to beautification, witli its rugged hills, surrounding its beautiful harbour. Take, for instance the Hutt. Road, or the Ngahaurauga Gorge as merely odd examples. The Hutt Road is just asking to lie assisted a bit, and it will beautify itself, as the shady northern side is eminently adapted for the growing of many natives, such as kowhai, kotukutuku, rangiora and many other trees. All that is required is a fence on the higher t-Jde, and after that, a few kowhai and other desirables planted, and Nature will do the rest. . The broom, and even the gorse will make suitable nurse plants, and should on no account be destroyed, but just merely somewhat opened up, where it is over-dense. This leads me to make tlie statement, that, as a rule, in beautifying schemes there is too much horticultural practi/e, and not enough forestry methods employed. In the manner stated, and with a sympathetic public to enter into the scheme, the Hutt Road can be made a most beautiful drive—even one of the finest in New Zealand —and the kowhai, kotukutuku, etc., will also attract bellbirds, tuis. etc., which, with their song, will add to the pleasure of a drive to the Hutt. Wishing tlie new society the success its objects deserve. —I am, etc., E. V. SANDERSON. President Forest and Bird Protection Society. Wellington, July 2,‘t.