FOR UTILITY AND BEAUTY.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 93, 19 April 1912, Page 6

FOR UTILITY AND BEAUTY.

Two proposals, important in. principle — one for plain utility and the other for ornament — came before the City Council last, night, and each found favour with a majority of members. It was agreed, on the motion of Councillor Fletcher, that tho City Engineer should be instructed to prepare plans for the cost of "a suitable and inexpensive structure for the better distribution of fieh," on a small section which the municipality owns on the waterfront near the Wellington Naval Boatoheds. It is estimated that the little building and its Bimple equipment would not cost more than £100. Though the operation of the scheme would necessarily be on a small scale, we believe that the benefit to the public would amply justify Ihe expenditure. The littleness of the beginning ■ will involve no waste of money, for it may be years before a council decides to venture largely . on public markets, for which the city has endowments. The revenue, a fairly large sum in the aggregate, has been diverted to other uses, without much protest from the general public. Lately part of th« Queen's Wharf has been used as a public market place, but the trade has been on a haphazard' basis, to the disadvantage of both suppliers and conßumers. It is understood that the existence of a proper market place will assure a regular supply of fresh fish, direct from the trawlers to the public. Long ago the representatives (a former council) of the people agreed about the desirableness of such a market, but the matter did not get beyond the stage of enquiry, discussion, and procrastination. The second recommendation came from the Reserves Committee, in relation to the planting of ten acres of the Town Belt, west of Wellington-terrace, at an estimated cost of £300, on a plan prepared by the City Engineer. Tho only objection^ (raised were on points of detail and on grounds of expediency, but a majority approved the proposal. The preamble of the suggestion, " with a view of making a start with a comprehensive scheme to beautify the Town Belt," revives our hope that the survey of the remaining area will be continued by the engineer's department as opportunity offers.' A plan for the whole area is needed, even if money can be spared for only a beginning with an actual improvement scheme. Councillor Barber made a remark which should not pass unheeded. He suggested that small portions of reserves should be allocated to local committees of citizens, who would care for them and plant them. Some time back a similar plea, was put •forth in' the columns of The Post. Several citizens, unobtrusively, have done some planting to add to the beauty of public reserves, but there is no definite plan of co-operation. Councillor Barber's suggestion should appeal specially to the Arts Club, which on several occasions ha* voiced a willingness to collaborate with the Reserves Committee. We- feel sure that the committee will b© able to find worthy outlet® for •11 the energy which the club or any other organised group of citizens can spare.