THE GARDENS ROUTE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12935, 30 March 1904, Page 2

THE GARDENS ROUTE.

TO TrTB KDITOR. Sir,—l think in a, discussion upon a public question Mich as this every correspondent should sign his nauio to his letter, and in future I dcclino to notice anyojio not so doing; but, with your permission, Sir, i will give some reasons Why I support a single line extension through the Gardens. First, 1 believe it - will popularise the Gardens if <they are, lit up jn the evenings by electricity instead of being locked up as at present. Thousands from Dunedin and surrounding boroughs will visit them who have not tho onnortunity of doing so during tho day. Thus they will be benefited themselves, while at tho same time they will increase the revenue of the tram sen-ice. 1 believe also that u light iron feneis with creeper lloivers trained up it and with a llower bed along the outside of the fence, with two openings where the prerent cross footpaths are, with automatic gates to open and close on tho approach and departure of the car, would render the track absolutely safe, and add much to the beaut}- of the Harden*. Also, I know it would effect a saving to tho ratepayers of at least £2000 a year. .Ir would, too, ?ave an enormous amount of the public's time, l'or instance, there are 204 cars run on Castle street every day. Kueli car runs 35 chains—or about 89 miles a day—more than it would on the extension through tho Gardens. _ This eighty odd miles takes extra time. Now, suppose these 204 cars take on an average six passengers, it takes five minutes longer at least in transit on the Castle street line to town, or a loss in time <if 30 minutes between the six passengers on every car, or a loss in all every clay of 102 hours. Now, if their time is worth Is per hour, that represents a loss of £5 2s a day, or over £1850 to the travelling public a year. I support it, too. Sir, because I t)iink the direct route from, say, Normanby |o tlio city via Castle street would relieve (ieorge street of much of tho Valley tiafiic, and render it unnecessary to run a more frequent servico in George street than five miuuten. except at certain hours—at morning, noon, and evening; also do away with the necessity of running ©very George stvoot car to the Valley terminus. It would also, render travelling far more comfortable and convenient to the people on the Ueorgo street line. I support it, too, because it would prevent a great wear and tear on tho rails, curves, and car wheels ai:d lessen tho danger at atreet crossings, and because I helievo the danger would bo much less through the Gardens route ilian in tho busy streets of Dunedin. Now, Sir, suppose we extend the line find use, say, 10 per cent, per year of what wo would save by so doing on the Woodhaugh Gardens—which the head gardener says are more adapted for. and will become, our main botanical gardens— we would loon have gardens second to none in tho colony for their beauty and convenience of access. The George street line wouhl bring people right into it _at the bridge, while the Castle street line wouhl do the same in the present Gardens, and the reserve between the two could be laid out as a recreation ground and an open bowling green, these being much needed in tho northern end of the city, the (ieorge streef cars running close alongside. I understand, Sir, tb.it older countries aro popularising their Gardens- and Parks by running trains and even trains right into them, and with great success, and why should we 10-e thousand; cf pounds per year r.nd submit to a. great v.-asto of tirno and put up with the ineonvcnicnco of overcrowding through sentiment and fancicd danger'.' There was a great cry of vandalism and spoliation when tlio straightening of Princes street through the Octagon waj

suggested. Was this not scntimcntalismf Who now would like to fco it closed and bo compelled to travel all around tho Octagon to get to George street? This would causc a great outcry, and rightly so. When the rotunda was erected 111 the Octagon for the reception of the Duke there was also a groat outcry of spoliation and vandalism; hut look at it a few months later and one could ask, What need was there for this outer}'? The same thing will be asked when the trams run through the Gardens. People will my, What need was there for all the fuss, and will he surprised ivitii themselves for making it. Now, Sir, I firmly Itelieve that unless the Castle street line is extended the congestion in Georgn street will increase as the different lines in the suburbs are completed, and that wo will bo cavtini! hundred? of thousands ol people yearly that 35 extra chains all round to the hack of the Gardens, involving a great monetary loss to the ratepayers, ti great loss of time to thc< travelling public, and an expensive waste 011 curves and car wheels, and much unnecessary overcrowding.—l ain, etc., G. Lawiience.

TO TOR EDITOR. Sib,—ln reply to a question put to mo why King and Castlo streets were chosen as junctions. In tho plan of the town laid out by Mr Kettle 110 particular lino of exit is marked through the Belt: all the streets abutting there terminate. District rosds edging tho Holt wero marked out in the north and south sides, and fro.ll those tin) other district roads started, in both casta ono only facing tho Ml—the St, Kilda road from Kensington and the Valley road from Opoho. Theso roads and streets did not meet, -o tho settlers in the Valley could not make th'-ir track tn th- "eirest street in a -straight line, but had to doviate t.h 1, it lord, a liulo iurt..cr stream than the present bridge, coming out across tho scotions now occupied as a brewery site. Tho Provincial Government undertook to form, metal, and maintain a line through tho town to eonncet the north country with the south. Mr J. T. Thomson, chief (Surveyor, who was entrusted with tho duty, fixed on Prinecti and George streets, down Hanover and along King streets, erecting a bridge, and, with a slight, deflection through the Jiclt., joining (ho Valley road. To continue along George street would havo cost far moro money, anu been of less utility and greater length. Castlo street, as the. second line, was preferred to Cumberland street, as it wa-a farther apart from King Hreet, more central, and a largo and rapidly increasing population oceunicd the streets eastward, and extensions wora contemplated. A strong effort had beer, made in the Provincial Council in 1861 to locate tlio harbour works at Pelichet Bay. The. reasons ill both cases wero weighty and powerful. A few words additional will not ]>o oui place. Naturally, resentment springs up when any innovation is proposed on established customs and things. Many can remember the noire made .vjainst cutting tho Octagon in twain for public convenience, for making a street and running trams across it. How many would like a restoration to former conditions! Supposing tho Parliament of the time, at. the instigation of n few of its uiemww and without tho consent _ of the owners of the ground—tlio public,—usurped a power it does not possess and liiiid, " You shall not innko that street," as has been done in the cai-c of the Gardens! Woidd we Intro quietly submitted? I trow not. Yet the positions are similar. Both properties are vested in trustees, to 1* used for purposes of publio utility; not to lie alienated. Times change. Old - friends must part, cherished associations must he broken up, and the regret endured. A Botanic Garden cannot thrivo well within a city. The atmosphere becomes vitiated, plants iniffer, and other pressing engagements compel removal. Some years ago,ilie Gardens of Edinburgh and Glasgow had to be shifted; and now in Lonjlon the doom is pronounced 011 : tno renowned Chiswiek, whose plants of all descriptions, gathered from all parts of tho world, carefully nourished and tended, nui.=t find a habitation miles outside tho city. A new Garden for Dimedin could lift provided elsewJiere, and if tlio present sito remained intact, no plants or trees br-iiig-removed, and tlio name wore changed to park, with tho tramlines running across it. larger crowds would bo attracted, and warmly express gratitude for tho acceptable innovation.—l am, ctc., March 26. Jas. M'lndok.