QUEENSTOWN PARK.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 4329, 31 August 1937, Page 4

QUEENSTOWN PARK.

(To the Editor). Sir,—As one who takes more. than a passing interest in public parks and particularly -as an occasional visitor in your lovely park with its unique and beautiful setting, allow me to protest at the active manner in which it is being spoilt by well-meaning incompetence. I allude particularly to the great and persistent overcrowding of the Park with conifers. It is a rule in park design to avoid the use of evergreen trees, using them ■« only where essential for purposes of shelter. There is certain monotony in their appearance and with the exception of the eucalyptus family provide food for native birds. In your park there are about twice or three times as many trees as are required, and the somewhat recent planting of yet more young conifers will soon tend to make things worse. It is also a rule to cut out trees immediately they begin to touch as they speedily beat their neighboura to pieces in high winds, and so also spoil their shapes. The clipping of native and other shrubs is also a fatal mistake. Far better cut them out altogether. May I suggest that the beautiful and shapely silver birch now growing in the Park be given a chance. This could easily and cheaply be done by allowing persons requiring firing to cut out the conifers under expert guidance for the benefit of those requiring same. There is also great need of colour. The present appearance is depressing and gloomy. Why not enliven the .wl o'e effect by the planting of one ,or more of the colourful shrubs now available? The present scarlet oaks point the way. Jt,. I am aware' that I am thus running! my head into a hornet's nest, but am determined to make an effort before it be too late. I am, etc., EDMUXD E. WILSON.