THE HEIGHTS AROUND DUNEDIN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21667, 10 June 1932, Page 5

THE HEIGHTS AROUND DUNEDIN

TO THE EDITOR. gi R) —It is good news to learn that the control of the heights of Mount Cat-gill, Flagstaff and Signal Hill has been handed over to the City Corporation. There is a wonderful field here for our Reserves Department, and one can visualise beautiful forests in years to come, clothing what are now only scrubby wastes. Mr Tannock, no doubt, will do the job well, from a utilitarian point of view. The plantations at Sullivan’s dam and 'Where Flat will perpetuate his memory, but in. nection with this new field for his activi-t ties, may I humbly make a plea for some of our native decorative trees (not veronicas). lam afraid Ido not know as much about our native trees as a trueborn New Zealander should, but I do appreciate their beauty, and I wonder it it would not be* practicable to plant, say, a few ratas and kowhais on the hillsides about our city. Ratas must be compare-

tively quick-growing for natives and there must be many parts of Mount Cargill, Flagstaff and Signal Hill where they would flourish. To my mind, there is nothing more beautiful than a big rata in flower, and although Mr Taunock may not live to gee the slopes of our city hillsides studded with crimson blossom, yet generations to come*will surely rise up and call him blessed if he adopts this suggestion. _ Even the bellbirds and tuis will sing his praises—which is not done by them in a pinus insignia plantation.— I am, etc., Flora. Mornington, June 8.