PUBLIC RESERVES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 90, 28 February 1862, Page 1 (Supplement)

PUBLIC RESERVES.

(To the Editor of (he Otiujo JJmhj Times.) Sru. —"Departure" says Lamartine "resembles death," when we leave a place to which we may never return. Well, Sir, before I go, lam anxious to refer to one very important subject —n subject that must commend itself 1o every man in Otago. Well, then, for several months back it has been palling to my aesthetic feelings to observe the sad transformation—the hacking ami mangling to which the beautiful belt of ornamental timber that fringes the Water of Leith is sulvjectod Uy die rude hands of Vandalism, prom ihe entrance of the river into the Bay, to its rise at the foot of Flagstaff, the lover of nature, the admirer of beauty, the "worshipper of the Muses, and th« inspired sage may revel and luxuriate in trelliced arbours, lovely arcades, secluded bowers, and cooling walks beside the limpid stream, regaled with the melody of the denizens of the skies, and thus .sustain withoiit interruption the loftiest flights of thought, poised on the eagle wings of imagination, or, like Anacreon or happy 'Horace, he may recline on tiie verdant, mend, beneath umbrageous boscage, and melt away in ecstatic strains and hymns to the worship of Venus, and her zoned and blue-eyed and sw.in-neoked virgins. During the last two years I may safely say that I have myself read here about 500 volumes, so that 1 am able'to write from experience. Is it not lamentable to see drays, tents, bullocks, and horses and men, with hatchetsj saws, and other destructive implements, disfiguring Duuedin's wooded Zone, with the Water of Leith as a silver thread running through it? Has not the Government laid off a Canvas Town 1 Why then allow, through mistaken kindness, any squatters on this belt 1 Here ought to be the Otago Botanic Gardens, and public parks, and beautiful promenades. Is it not ridiculous to have three contemptible parks along Great King-strcer, on the only level piece of ground that is fitfor business premises in the town > Who ever dreamt of having botanic gardens and beautiful parks beside and in the very heart of merchandise, shops, stables, Sec. 1 The three paddocks on either side of Knox's Church can never become sources of attraction, or be conducive to health to the people. Expend the money that is to be squandered on them in beautifying and preserving the ornamental grounds and woods along the Water of Leith. Here Nature has provided all the ingredients of Turner's Landscapes—wood, water, cliffs, hills, picturesque rocks, &c. Let the"flat about ■Knox's Church be occupied with the business premises ofan expanded city. Let themunieipality lease thesereserves, and with the proceeds beautify the city, and open up really valuable and picturesque and tranquil bowers, and arbours and gardens of pleasure, and science along the stream of the Leith. His Honor hi reply to the memorial on the subject of the Water of Leith promenade said, that he was to take steps to "preserve the timber and ornamental "rounds." It is time he did so, else, I fear, the Belt will be so inarraland defaced that, like the zone of Venus when unloosed, the charms that once graced and adorned it will be for ever gone. I would allow none to squat on the Town Belt here. Depend upon it now that the nights are lengthening, atrocities, similar to those in the 'Black Forest, will be perpetrated in the North-East Valley before the winter is over. It is shameful that in a locality where there are about .500 souls, there should be no lock-up. Once for all. Set me say, the North-East Valley does not begin till you are a mile 'beyond the station at Knox's CJhuroh, and across the Water of Leith. The flat on the city side of the bridge cannot he called a valley, any more than the hills and gullies at the other end of the city. In one .sense, indeed, all the city lies in a valley, because it is embosomed among the mountains. But properly speaking, you are not in a valley till you cross the Water of Leith Bridge. There is then, no police station in the North-East Valley ! I need hardly say, that I have no desire to inconvenience new arrivals. Far otherwise. No man would more rejoice at their welfare and comfort than myself. But, Sir, the good of the whole must not be sacrificed to the comforts of a part. "What is right is right" and must not yield to circumstances. It is not right to allow this portion of Dnnedin's belt to be so wantonly destroyed. I care not who the transgressors are, they must be stopped from this rude and barbarous vandalism. In defence of what I conceive to be right, lam not afraid to raise my voice. I, therefore, take leave of this subject, and subscribe mysell your very obedient servant, J. (x. S. G-kant. Dunedin, Feb. 20^1Sti2._^