WHANGAREI BEAUTIFICATION

Northern Advocate, 19 July 1935, Page 9

WHANGAREI BEAUTIFICATION

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —I have read Mr Thornton’s letter with interest, for I, too, confess to rather more than a sneaking regard for our native plants. I am impressed with the fact that we are_ fortunate. We are bounded on the east and on the west by easily accessible native reserves. Then there are the Coronation and Mair Parks, than which there could be no better reserves for the study of our native plants. But I would like to see the border entrance to Mair Park planted in a mixed native shrubbery, a plan that I have already advocated. Nearer home, there are over 300 native plants in the High School grounds, including hedge plants, an avenue of over three dozen pohutukawas, and a section reserved for type native plants. Whangarei and Whau Valley Public Schools also have creditable native shrubberies. Surely, Mr Thornton, like Dr. Watson, has overlooked everything worth while. In regard to the so-called “outsiders,” are there not many very beautiful and serviceable exotics? Acmena floribunda is a plant that does wonderfully well here, and that surely deserves a place in our shrubberies. And there are many others. Further, I fail to see why our native plants should not rub shoulders jvith exotics, provided the association is pleasing. One of our townspeople has a tarata and a camphor laurel growing side by side, and I would hate to separate them. Many exotics are perfectly suited by our soil and climate. For example, most Cape plants do well here, and I believe that some of them, such as gerberas, nemesias and gladioli do even better here than in their native habitat; and why not, when we consider such introductions as blackberry and gorse? Again, we are not all natives, like the plants about us, and we may like to grow some of the plants of our own countries. Some among us are interested in something different, in plants from strange places. And last, but not least, surely many of the exotics serve to enliven our rather sombre native groups. In regard to the Platanus

Japonica referred to by Mr Thornton, I was not aware that Japan possessed a native plane: but that is neither here nor there. However, the fact remains that, within the space of a few months, we have been visited by two different experts (?), and have been given unsolicited advice that we certainly did not deserve. I am, etc., , W. A. GIVEN.

To the Editor,

Sir. —Your correspondent, R. L. Thornton, who, I believe, is the officer in charge of the beautifying of railway stations, makes charges against school committees, the Twenty Thousand Club and other kindred associations who are working for the beautification of the town of Whangarei. Now, sir, as chairman of the Whangarei School Committee, let me tell Mr Thornton that we have quite a respectable collection of native trees and shrubs planted in the school grounds, and I can state that it has been the settled policy of members, in conjunction with the Ladies’ Gardening Club, to plant, as far as possible, only native trees and shrubs. Where can Mr Thornton find better specimens of pohutukawa or Mertya 1 Sinclairii than in our school grounds? We have quite a good collection of veronicas, hoheria, pohutukawa, karaka and others, which are growing very nicely, and will soon make a good showing. We have on order a. number of totara, kauri, rimu and kawaka for planting this season.. In regard to the acmena hedge,, Mr Thornton mentions, this is rather a joke, considering that there are only six plants in about 200 feet of frontage. These were planted as temporary bushes until the native plants are fit to take their place. I would like to draw Mr Thornton’s attention to Cross Street, where he will find some real good specimens of yellow kowhai, puriri and totara. Within a very short distance of the school can be seen some fine young kauri. My experience goes to show that Whangarei residents have been planting native trees for years. As a member of the Twenty Thousand Club, let me say that if it had not been for the activity of that club perhaps Mr Thornton would not have been sent to Whangarei to report on a scheme for planting trees at the approaches to the railway station. I think it js only fair to let your readers know that the scheme was commenced by the joint action of the Ladies’ Gardening Club and the Twenty Thousand Club. Seeing that the two committees thought the project could be better handled by one society, the Gardening Club agreed to make themselves responsible, in conjunction with the Railway Department. This leaves the other club free to work in another dii’ection, and I can assure your readers they are not idle. For Mr Thornton’s information, I would

also like to state that the Horticultural Society periodically holds specimen evenings, when native shrubs and plants are displayed, correctly named and classified, the idea being the acquiring of a better knowledge of the native flora, etc. In conclusion, Mr Editor, I think it is wonderful how every now and then outsiders rush into print about the indifference of Whangarei people towards their own particular problems, when a little investigation would enlighten them as to local activities and make them enthusiastic to help instead of criticise. We in North. Auckland are fully alive to the value of native trees, and are certainly not asleep, as Mr Thornton would suggest. I am, etc.,

, CHAS. V. STRINGER. President, Whangarei Horticultural Association.