The Face of Palmerston North

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 41, 18 February 1938, Page 8

The Face of Palmerston North

(To the Editor.) Sir, —The recognised attractions of Palmerston North are the cherry trees in the Esplanade, the gardens in the Square, the Awapuni race course and, one may suppose, the Hokowhitu golf links. Yet Palmerston North is not at all a beautiful city. The Square, for example, seems to be sadly lacking one essential. It has no central feature, no focal point to offset its other attractions. The War Memorial (although, beautiful in itself) and the band rotunda are totally inadequate in this respect and are kept from clashing hideously with each other by the more hideous double railway track. The Tailway is to be relaid outside vuo walls of tho city, but then the matter will be little improved. With the erection, however, of an imposing edifice, such as the long-lamented art gallery, in the middle of the Square, a thing of beauty would be in the heart of .-.e city.

Then, what could be more attractive to motorists approaching the hub of the city along Main street East than a long avenue of trees, perhaps oaks, elms or chestnuts, where the railway now runs. Such streets are numerous in Christchurch, which can truly claim to be the garden city of New Zealand.

In common with those in many provincial towns, the streets of Palmerston North are unkempt and untidy. Economy in the laying of asphalt has resulted (in all the residential areas) in streets lined on either side by bare patches of clay and strips of uncared for and overgrown weed or grass. Tho asphalt itself is untidy in appearance, broken and undulating, cut up for the laying of sewers, uneven and patchy. Many of the streets are lined with trees which are a great asset, but tho lack of finish in the edges of pavement and unnecessary growth spoil the effect and show lack of artistic taste. Palmerston has emerged from the stage of a small provincial town to that of a small prosperous city and in doing so shows confusion and contrast of architecture. It is a short distance from the up to date business offices recently erected or in the course of erection in Broadway, to the long line of dingy, grimy, hideous wooden buildings crowding the northern side of Main street East and Main street West. Palmerston appears almost to be a city completely lacking in culture—certainly as far as art is concerned —and this may account for some of the blemishes on the face of this properous provincial centre. Yours etc, VAN TROMP.