THROUGH THE GARDENS

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 107, 2 November 1926, Page 10

THROUGH THE GARDENS

"PUBLIC COMMENT PRE-

MATURE"

MAYOR IS SURPRISED AT

PUBLICITY

TORJSSTRY, LEAGUE EXPRESSES

DISMAY.

"I am rather surprised to sen so much publicity given tho subject of a road through the Botanical Gardens," said the Mayor, "because so far the matter has not appeared beforo the council or any „ of its committees.'' '■ "It is a fact that a road connection between Glenmore road (the lower part of the old Karori road) and tho Glen in Kelburn has been mentioned as a one-day possibility for some years past. A few months back, when tho late City Engineer (Mr. A. J. Paterson) was invited to report upon tho widening of Glenniorc road (an essential work bobefore paving) he brought the matter under tho notico of tho Works Committee, proposing that tho old suggestion of improvod access to tho Glen by way of the Botanical Gardens should bo seriously considered, as by so doing a road could bo obtained for nothing. It was explained that spoil for filling the gully alongside the present Glenmore road (just within the western boundary of the Gardens) would cost a great deal more1 if it had to bo obtained elsewhere than in the Gardens. * "According to tho information before me, tho road, if constructed, would traverse for the greater part the pinus in-signis-planted ridge on tho western and upper side of tho Gardens, and would only encroach on tho native growth for a short distance; moreover, it would traverse a portion of the Gardens but rarely visited by people, and would, in addition, help to develop an area of the Gardens along tho western ridge that is now lying waste. "I am not now speaking of the merits rf tho proposal. I shall want a great deal more information about it before I do that, but I do think much of the comment made is premature, and that perhaps the situation is not too woll known by those who imagine the proposal to be an act of wanton vandalism." rOEESTRY LEAGUE'S OPINION. At the monthly meeting of the Wellington, branch of the New Zealand Forestry League last evening, the* following resolution with reference to tho proposed road through the Botanical Gardens was passed unanimously:— "That this branch views with dismay and strongly protests against the proposal to construct a road from Glen road through tho Botanical Gardens." OBJECTION TO PLANS WITHOUT AUTHORITY. Tho mattor was also referred to at tho monthly meeting of the Wellington North Katepayers' Association. last evening, the following resolution being carried unanimously:—"That this _asBociation is opposed to the suggestion to construct a motor road through tho Botanical Gardens from Glcnmore street to Kelburn, on tho grounds that it is an unjustifiable encroachment on a city reserve, and will endanger the preservation of a picturesque belt of native plants. "This association strongly disapproves of a system iv the city management which allows preliminary steps to bo taken in the preparation of plans for a proposal not submitted to the council or a committee thereof involving the expenditure of a considerable sum of money on work upon, which . there must be a division of opinion, while improvements to tho reserves uuanir^usly approved and passed by the council arc held in abeyance."