AUCKLAND'S PARKS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18495, 4 September 1923, Page 8

AUCKLAND'S PARKS.

COMPREHENSIVE PLANTING.

POLICY OF REAFFORESTATION.

\ In view of the fact that Auckland now leads the cities of the Dominion in the provision it has made for floral parks and open spaces, the remarks made before the Auckland Rotary Club yesterday by Mr. T. E. Pearson, superintendent of • city parks, contained several points of interest. • Speaking of the Domain winter gardens, Mr. Pearson stated ■'; that the choicest flowers were continually stocked and maintained. Especially was this the case during December, January, and February, when' the glasshouse was stocked with tuberous begonias, maidenhair fern, palms and many other fin© specimens of the gardener's art. In the propagating department there were nine plant houses, on© of which was used for plants from tropical countries. Another was set aside for the culture of orchids, whilo three houses were devoted to the culture oi palms. Four houses were engaged for tho work of propagating seedlings for planting in parka and reserves. In this respect it was interesting to note that no fewer than 227,000 seedlings .were required for planting in the various parks and reserves in the city. • •- The Titirangi Park and Mount Atkinson bush reserve, the gift of the late Mr. Henry Atkinson, was about 30 acres in "extent, and was clothed from top to bottom in Nature's wildest grandeur. One basin of tree ferns occupied several acres, while several specimens reached a height of 70ft. Kauris, purjris, karakas, < rimu, akeake, kowhai, and . others of the bush family were found there in a profusion "that brought delight to countless thousands who visited the reserve. Apart from the parks and reserves, Mr. Pearson continued, the City Council had taken.up, within the ■ last two years, the work of re-afforestation on the various reserves on the - shores of the Manukau Harbour. , Chief among, these was the Cornwallis Reserve, for which £2500, per annum for the next five years had been earmarked. This system of afforestation was computed in : 25 years to give a return of approximately £100 per acre, v ; Afforestation had also been carried out on the ground adjacent to the Waikumete Cemetery. Tree-planting was also being carried out on the streets in various parts of the city. Mr. Pearson mentioned several of those worthy' donors .to whose generosity and public spirit the city owed so many of its finest • parks and open spaces. Among these were the late Sir John Locran Campbell, tho late -Mr. Henry Atkinson, tho Hon. A. M. Myers, Mr. John Court, and Mr. Wesley Spragg. He particularly referred to the ireneral forward movement instituted by the City Council, in .the direction of extending and improving the city's reserves, and spoke of the attention paid to the city beflufification by the Mayor, Mr. J. H. Gunson. :i