SCOPE FOR BEAUTY

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 149, 19 March 1936, Page 10

SCOPE FOR BEAUTY

Wellington’s Lofty Setting MORE TREES NEEDED Minister Favours Native Groves A tribute was paid yesterday by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon. W. E. Parry, to the work of Hie Wellington Beautifying Society and of. the citizens who aid the society in its activities. Mr. Parry spoke admiringly of the setting of Wellington City amid the lofty aud beautiful ranges which surround it, and adversely criticised the authorities who had permitted, the ■denudation of the ranges and roadsides of native shrubbery and trees. The Minister characterised the work of the beautifying society in its efforts at- replanting the slopes of ■ the. hills and the city’s approaches as an achievement which would bring back to the citizens the beauty and majesty ot New Zealand’s native trees and afford invaluable encouragement to those citizens who had undertaken the work. “Anybody who takes a working interest in the preservation of our-native trees wins both my regard and support," the Minister said. "What- better sight is there for one’s eyes to see than the beautiful foliage of some of our native trees? Yesterday I was along the Hutt Road, one of the two road approaches to Wellington city. 1 remarked to the Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, and others with me how lovely would that slope of the road look well planted with native trees. My attention was then directed to the work of the beautifying society. Through the efforts of the society there is along the bank of part of the road the nucleus of a very fine grove of native trees which will later add a charm to the Hutt highway beautiful to see. For that undertaking alone the society has rendered to the people a great service. The society is putting back to the. land what some of the vandals, without any appreciation of beauty, allowed to be attacked by the axe. It pains one to think what has happened in the past—to think that there was no farseeing authority to step in and say: ‘These"trees on the slopes of the city front must remain as a national heritage of the people.’ I will help all I can in the encouragement of tree- • planting around this city. And I know in my advocacy I will have the support of ail lovers of -New Zealand’s native trees.”

Mr. Parry made reference also to some of the gorse-covered heights in the Hutt Valley which, he said, lie would, witli others equally interested, like to see cleared, and planted in native trees. ' “I mentioned to Mr. Eric Riddiford yesterday,” remarked Mr. Parry, “what a grand and. imposing sight it would be to see native trees planted on the slopes and other suitable spots of.lhe valley. Mr. Riddiford.was in. entire agreement, and I .feel that with big. sympathetic help the Beautifying Society will go far in its work. .1 have nothing but praise for the work already done, and what I hope will be achieved in the future.”