KING EDWARD PARK.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 8041, 20 July 1904, Page 2

KING EDWARD PARK.

PROGRESS OF THE IMPROVEMENTS,

The King Edward Park Committee are making very complete arrangements for the improvement of King Edward Park, and good progress is being made. _ At present all the energies of the committee are being directed to the beautification of the paddock, fronting High street. The exhibition memorial gates are to be erected diagonally on the corner of High street and Camborwoll road, and the site has been cleared of the heavy stumps of macrocarpa, which previously disfigured that part of the landscape. Of these stumps two long rows still remain but as their removal would be costly, it has been decided to allow them to rot out. Later on they may be covered with ivy, which should h convert them into very artistic leafy pillars. From the entrance gates a drive, 33ft in width, is to lead to the centre of the park, where an area has been set aside upon which to erect the Fantham memorial. The plan provides that at intervals along the drive there will be recesses in which seats will be placed. From the memorial, trees are to bo planted to form a maize. About ai year ago a boxthorn hedge and a row of pampas grass were planted round tho pa* and, having enjoyed an active growth, are now looking particularly well. Inside these rows, which should afford a protective undergrowth, a line of spruce and cedar trees have been put in, and as soon as these are forward the more deli' cate and smaller shrubs will be planted. The whole of the work is being carried out under the direction of Mr C. Goodson, a well-known enthusiast in garden culture, who has also given a very liberal donation of ornamental trees and shrubs, which have already been set. The lots aTe all hardy and the descriptions are suitable to the climate. A new lot of trees are to hand from Messrs Laird and Sons, of Wanganui, including evergreen oak, flowering ash, beech, birch, cabbage trees, and shrubs of various kinds. Mr Goodson's intention is to strike al soft -wooded and flowering shrubs for himself, this being much rhe^pey than purchasing the trees, and with tins end in view two nurseries have been formed in which are now planted some thousands of cuttings. Any townspeople having trees th*.t they would like to' donate to tfce park should communicate with Mr- Goo/faon., wbQ will cheerfully give infwnA a t*ofl »s t« the varieties mqst acceptable. Th,e cammHtee aw to be congratulated upon their practical efforts to improve the town, and Judging from present appearmom King Edward Park should in a few yean reflect credit upon them. .