BEAUTIFYING SUBURBS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19584, 14 September 1925, Page 14

BEAUTIFYING SUBURBS.

SjELF-HBLP IN SYDNEY. (From Our Own Correspondent.) SYDNEY, September 5. Instead of constantly going cap in hand to the local authorities, and then often with little or no resqlt, several of the leading suburbs on the northern side of the harbour have organised themselves along community lines, with the object of doing something themselves to beautify and improve their localities. ’lbis movement among residents to help themselves started in a small way, hut it has grown so rapidly that working weeks and working bees are now quite the fashionable thing. The latest working week which has been planned provides for the clearing of footpaths, the formation of lawns between the paths and (lie water!allies, the planting of a»d palms, and other improvements. Where residents are unable or unwilling to take part in this public-spirited work, they are invited to arrange for their part of the work to be done by proxy. The work done along those lines at Cremorne Point, one of the boautv spots of tbe harbour, illustrates the effectiveness of community effort. Although Cremorne Point is lavishly endowed bv Nature, its natural beauties were sadlv neglected until a year or two ago. The' Point itself, and the reservation fronting Mosman Pay, were overrun with noxious weeds, while the array of old cans, broken boltlos, and discarded crockery told its own story. Vandalism was rife, and the native trees and shrubs were fast disappearing. All this had been altered by the residents, with the co-operation of the local council. Disorder has given way to order, ugliness to beauty. About 5000 trees and shrubs have been planted, apart from other improvements. Out of 69 homes on the reserve, only 11 householders have not done something towards the beautification scheme. Tbe civic spirit is unquestionably making itself felt on the northern side of tho harbour.