THE QUEEN'S DRIVE.

Evening Post, Volume XLVIII, Issue 66, 15 September 1894, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE QUEEN'S DRIVE.

♦ Pressure on our space compelled us to curtail our report of the proceedings at the tree-planting along the Queen's Drive last week. We now give the speeches which were delivered on that occasion. Mr. John Koss said : — Your "Worships and ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of the Unemployed Relief Committee permit me to welcome and thank you for your presence here to-day. We take it as an evidence of your interest in, and approval of, the work we have in hand. I shall not at present refer to the progress made with the Queen's Drive, as a littlo later on you will have the opportunity of inspecting 1 and judging for yourselves. I may say, however, that the relief afforded by the Queen's Drive has been largely taken advantage of by the unemployed, and, I believe, fully appreciated, saving many from the degradation of being recipients of charity. It is due to the workmen to say that they worked cheerfully, willingly, and well. In fact, everything has gone pleasantly and smoothly from the start, thanks to the organization and administrative abilities of the working committee, of which Mr. Gale is the efficient Chairman, who will, doubtless, (have a word or two to say to you later on. * I think it will be admitted that the completion of the Queen's Diive will be an immense boon to the citizens of Wellington — rich and poor alike — and redeem Wellington from the reproach so often made against it, of having no pleasant outlets or drives. Other cities in New Zealand are more highly favoured by nature in this respoct, still Wellington has the compensating advantages of a medium climate, central position, and magnificent harbour, advantages which cannot fail to keep her in the vanguard of progress, commercially and otherwise. There are two very important factors which contribute largely to the progress of any city, and that require the closest attention on the part of the citizens, that is healthiness and attractiveness. Our City Fathers are seeing to the firet, and I venture to think that when the Drainage Scheme which they have in hand is completed, Wellington will be one of the healthiest cities in the colony. As regards the beautifying of the city, this is a matter which rests with the citizens individually and collectively, and I think that there is room for very great improvement in this direction, hence the special object of our meeting to-day is to inaugurate tree-plant-ing on the Queen's Drive, which we are enabled to do through generous gifts from the citizens, and I feel sure that attention only requires to be drawn to this important matter, when othsrs will be only to pleased and proud to give a helping hand. I shall now call on His Worship the Mayor of Wellington, who has kindly consented to perform the opening ceremony. His Worship the Mayor of Wellington, said:— l must express my gratification at being able to take part in to-day's proceedings. These proceedings are, in effect, the proper continuation of the establishment of Arbor Day. The first tree-planting, you will recollect, took place with success on the Thorndon Esplanade, and was followed last year by the planting on Thorndon Quay, and it is to he hoped that the example set will be followed with vigour. Whatever opinions there may have been about the propriety of the Queen's Drive or the proposals in relation to the.carrying out of the work, there can now be no two opinions on 'the subject, and it will be universal^ conceded that the Queen's Drive is a success, and the mode in which it is being constructed is also a success. It has its beauties in the rocks and the sea, but it will be still more beautiful when these bare hills are covered with trees. The shivering looks now turned upon me remind me that I must be brief, but I venture to say that if, say twenty years hence, we meet here, we will do so in the perfect shelter which will be afforded by the trees whioh are to be planted to-day and be able to bid defiance to the cold winds. The Mayor of Melrose (Mr. Mowatt) on being called said:— lt gives me infinite pleasure on behalf of burgesses of the Borough of Melroso to accord to your Worship and Councillors, to the Lady Mayoress, and the large and influential gathering of ladies aud gentlemen of the City of Wellington, a hearty welcome here to-day. Allow me, ladies and gentlemen, to thank you, not only for the kindly feelings which piompted so many of you to come amongst us, but especially do I thank you for the noble example you are this day about to set us in the matter of beautifying our ways, ' an example which 1 trust the burgesses of of Melrose will not be slow to follow, but annually on Arbor Day (and indeed, on every suitable occasion), continue the grand work of beautification this day begun. My special thanks are due to those ladies and gentlemen who have so generously and, I am sure at much trouble and expense, presented us with large parcels of beautiful trees and shrubs for the ornamentation of the Queen's Drive, and I hope the trees planted to-day may, like the grain of mustard seed of which we read in the Christian Volume, grow up and assume such proportions that in years yet to come the invalid in search of health, the convalesent in search of strength, as well as the youthful pleasure seekers, may all find shelter or shade under their branches. I need hardly

j-ay that the Borough authorities will endeavour to protect those trees, and should anyone wantonly interfere with or damage them, steps will be taken to bring the offenders to justire, and, in the case of conviction, will not fail to pres9 for the infliction of the heaviest penalties the law allows for such offences. Ladies and gentlemen, I again thank you for your presence here to-day, and for the self-imposing labour of love you have so kindly come to carry out. Mr. Gale, Chairman of Works Committee, stated a surprise had been Bprung upon him in being requested to speak, and he was at the disadvantage of not having heard the previous speakers. He thanked those present for having responded to the invitation of the Unemployed Relief Works Committee to take part in the first tree-planting on the Queen's Drive ; in his opinion it was most desirable to encourage anything that tended to the beautifying of the city and suburbs. This had been seriously neglected in the past, and he expressed the hope that to-day's function would be the precursor of some united action on the part of the boroughs adjacent to Wellington, particularly the City of Wellington where there is ample scope for beautifying it by treeplanting and other means. He expressed the hope that an association would be formed similar to that in Dunedin, which has done a very great deal to improve that city. He referred to the Amenities Society, which is supported by voluntary contributions, and is managed by a committee who as far as the means of the association will permit, spend its funds only in the beautification of the city. Mr. Gale hoped that he tree-planting would be specially cared for by the Melro3e Borough Council, particularly the early protection of the trees. If this was done, he thought the Queen's Drive, with an avenuo of trees, would prove to be one of the most pleasaut and attractive in this colony. Those present — ladies aud gentlemen — started tree planting in a manner that would have been creditable to the most experienced gardener, Mrs. ..Brandon (wife of the Mayor of Wellington) and Mrs. Mowatt (wife of the Mayor of Melrose) planting the two trees at the beginning of the road, known as the Queen's Drive, and in less than a quarter of an hour every available hole that had been prepared was occupied by a nlant of some description. An adjournment was then made to the marquee when afternoon tea was in readiness. The Hon. Mr. Larnach expressed the pleasure it gave him to be present at such an important gathering, and was surprised at the enthusiastic way in which every one took part in the tree planting, which augured well for the successful planting of the Queen's Drive. He felt that a good [ deal could be done to make this fine City of Wellington more attractive. Iv Dunedin the Amenities Society had done a lot 'of good work in this direction. One piece of ground that was simply a receptacle for refuse, was acquired by the Society, and quickly converted into one the pleasautest sputs in Dunediu, and a pleasure to look at. Such work could bo done in this city quite as effectively, and he thought the initiators of to-diiy's proceedings were entitled to the thanks of the citizens and of those present for the very pleasant afternoon they had spent. Dr. MucGregor said, to his mind tho importance "of to-day's proceedings sank into insignificance us compared with tho initiation of tho work to give employment to their fellow men, and tho eili/eus of Wellington were to bo commended for tho liberal way they responded to the appeal' for funds, to give work to those who were anxious to have it instead of charity. More particularly were the three gentlemen who initiated the work entitled to thanks, they in a very great measure having assisted to solve a most important social problem. Their and the subscribers' action he considered an example to the rest of the colony. Three cheers were then given for Messers Ross, Gale, and McLellan. The afternoon tea was provided by the Committee, the details of which were kindly carried out by the Hon. Treasurer, Mr. Jas. McLellan.