PRIDE AND FOUR CITIES

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 144, 21 June 1930, Page 8

PRIDE AND FOUR CITIES

(To the Editor.r

Sir,—Local patriotism is a commendable trait, and expressions of pride in1 one's own city are excellent manifestations', but can very easily be carried to excess. Your correspondent, "Civic Pride," \s a true Wellingtonian in that he ia subject' to delusions anent the real place the Capital City holds on the merits of natural and artificial attractions. It is a pity that those citizens who are ever singing praises of the city charms could not be induced to manifest some concrete patriotism and try and make the city appear as they would have others think it. What really amazes visitors is the opinion the Wellingtonian has of a city which in point of architectual and natural beauty takes actual fourth place. The Wellingtonian is under the influence of an obsession, and the sooner facts are realised and this town is made more .worthy of the inflated opinion of its citizens the sooner will ridicule be lifted from it. _ , A critical observer touring this Dominion would have no hesitation in bestowing upon Christchureh and Dunedm pride ot place in architectural and natural beauty. And it would indeed be difficult to make choices, for though manifesting forms, both cities are rich in architectural achievements, and both are very beautiful in natural charm, for Nature has endowed them richly. The Cathedral City reflects the stately beauty of English Canterbury. The garden homes of Christchurch are a joy to behold. Most assuredly it is a beautiful, city, worthy the unbounded pride of its citizens. And the University City Dunedm loses nothing to its island sister. Dunedin lies in a rugged and majestic sitting, reflecting the wilder and inspiring beauty of old Caledonia. These two cities benefited by the pioneers, who built around sights of natural beauty cities rich in the achievements of mans architectural arms. And next in appeal to these beautiful jewel cities o£ the bouth must be placedl Auckland, with its glorious harbour and a climate which is the envy of its immediate southern sister, There is left Wellington, the subject of

this letter. What has Wellington to justify the boast of its citizens? Truly but little beyond the comparative bustle of » town which by our standards passes for a city. Its geographical position will always handicap Wellington, while its grey-bare hills are for. ever a forbidding setting to ' a city which, to use an apt term, has gon<j "rustified." It must be that a length off residence in Wellington kills the sense of the artistic. Yet much might be done ta make Wellington, more akin to the beau- : tiful and cleanly cities of the north and south.

This letter is not written in empty condemnation, but in fair and instructive criticism, and its acceptance and publication in that light is expected.- The writer has been resident some time, but as yet has not lost the true perspective. Tbi» is an unbiased opinion and an appreciation of our beautiful and stately' cities in which, as loyal New Zealanders, the Weilingtonianß must join.—I am, etc.,

FAIR VIEW.