BEAUTIFYING STREETS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19417, 27 August 1926, Page 13

BEAUTIFYING STREETS.

—— : PRINCIPLE OF SELF-HELP. MOVEMENT IN SYDNEY. [from our own correspondent.] SYDNEY, Aug. 19. If the average man wrestles with a lawnniower and generally knocks off work "to carry bricks" during the weekend, in order to beautify his home and keep it in something like order, he feels that lie has a fair claim upon the local council to beautify the street which his house fronts. A strong sense of civic pride, however, and possibly the knowledge that the local bodies are a little sluggish about these matters, as well as the belief that by a little self-help thev can appreciate the value of their properties and surroundings, has prompted the residents of some of the North Shore suburbs, and latterly of Ashfield, a western suburb a few miles out from the centre of the city, to get together to "beautify their streets. In these suburbs, as a result, plain, drab streets have become veritable gardens, things of beauty and of refreshment to the eye and "the spirit as well of mere, utility. One may there walk down streets sweetened with the breath of flowers and brightened with velvety lawns and with graceful palms. Other streets in other suburbs that know not civic pride are but the gross handiwork of the pick and shovel men. A little civic pride and a little bit of gardening have transformed some of the suburban streets into things of beauty. The residents of Service Avenue, Ashfield, a few days ago, crowned their spare-time and self-appointed job by a pleasant little ceremonial on the lawn of one of the householders, taking the form of a presentation of prizes to those along the street who had produced the best results in the beautiiication of their thoroughfare. The first and second prizes went to women. Service Avenue to-day, under the influence of its beautification club, is perfumed and aglow with flower gardens, trees, and nicely-kept lawns. By a, little self-help, streets in some of Sydney's suburbs that in the past have figuratively frowned to-day smile at one.