BEAUTIFY THE ROADS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19045, 19 June 1936, Page 12

BEAUTIFY THE ROADS

HINT FOR NEW ZEALAND

1 PLANTING HIGHWAYS

Success in victoria

• New. Zealand might well take a .oad from Victoria in tne planting of trees alongi the main highways ot tlie Dominion. Tlie movement has beeu initiOf recent years m tlie Auckland ami Taranaki districts, but no attempt lias been made, for instance, to plum the main highways of the East Const. After seeingsometning of the excellent work of both the Victorian and . New South Wales Country Roads Boards, a Herald's representative returned from Australia recently firmly convinced that a roadside frees scheme could be copied with adVantage throughout the Dominion. Much could be done by properly organised schemes of planting year by year, and thus adding to the attractiveness of the roadsides alongl main arteries of traffic. Suitable trees should be selected which yrtll harmonise with the surrounding country, and at the same time, retain the aesthetic features of the highway.

" Trie-planting operations have greatly enhanced some or the Australian main roads and this was noticeable in particular, on both the Victorian and New South'Wales sections of the Prince's highway, that extends from Sydney to Melbourne. Flowering tiets in some parts were a great source of pleasure to travellers.

... "Widespread interest has been shown in Victoria during recent years in the beautification of the highways by the appropriate planting of suitable trees and shrubs," states Mr. W, T. B. McCormack, chairman of the Victorian Country Roads Board. "This work has been enthusiastically carried on by the board in co-operation with municipal councils, the Tree-Planters' Association, and local progress associations, with practical assistance from the Nurserymen's and Seedmen's Association. j . UNITi' OF IDEAL

"Having in"mind that the planting of the-roadsides is for all time, the board has'taken into consideration the necessity of so designing any scheme that the trees will not interfere with the pavement should it be found necessary to widen it.in the future. Co-operative relations have been established with the Postal Department and the Victorian Electricity Commission, so as not to interfere, with the existing power or communication lines. The system of planting, as' well as the type of trees appropnata.for the particular localities, have been determined in accordance with previously approved plans, so that unity of ideal is secured for the whole length of highway. - "The character of the soil and the contour of the surrounding country have been the determining factors in deciding art'the type of trees for the various sections, and the plantations have been so arranged that they will not obscure the view of approaching traffic, nor interfere; with the entrances to adjoining properties. ; "Close attention has been given by the board to the protection and preservation of trees and natural growth along the roadsides, improving the appearance of the highway and retaining* all its aesthetic features. The board is ol opinion that landscape development should be considered along with road construction, and every effort is.being made to protect the growth of native timber oh the sides' of the road and preserve the existing standard of beauty. " ''The utilisation of funds derived from the sale of dead timber on main roads and. Stale highways in planting additional trees,; and in replacing those cut down or destroyed, was instrumental in improving the roadsides on many of the Victorian highways and main roads.

PRESERVATION OF NATIVE TREES '•'With a view to organising a definite scheme, year by year, authority has been glveivhy the Victorian Government during the past year for the board to set aside £3OOO per annum out of the roads board fund in order to supplement local effort in planting suitable trees, and for their subsequent care and maintenance. by the board's patrolmen." Public interest has been awakened, notably in "Victoria, during the past few years in the need of enhancing {she natural beauty of the countryside through which the highways pass aiid thus improving the appearance of roadsides and beautifying the landscape. Encouragement has been given to many organisations to take an active part in the' work. A total of 7600 permanent trees were donated in 12 months.

No longer does the popular conception exist that roadside improvements consist only of constructing the road to modern traffic requirements. It is now recoginised that the highways are largely used by motor traffic for recreation purposes. "The main factor in read improvement.'' adds Mr., McCormack. "is the preservation and development of the natural growth alow* the roads and the retention of all desirable features. The board's strenuous opposition to any interference with native trees and its eon stant endeavour to protect and maintain them has resulted in the preservation of many attractive avenues." ' -SHIRE OF GISBOBNE

The CaJder Memorial avenue along the Prince's highway west, extending ir.oni Melbourne to Ueelong, for a distance ol 34 miles, was commenced in 1928 and has just been completed. The scheme cohs'ists of 230 plantations, eacli 10 cnains long, and half a chain wide, containing trees of various varieties suitable lor tile particular section of -the highway. The trees are now well established and present a most pleasing effect along tue wind-swept road.

On the eastern section of the Prince's highway, extending for 18 miles, from Oakleign to Danaenong, zOUj trees oi suitable' varieties havo been planted, thus completing the avenue commenced By .the'municipalities of Frahran, St. Kilda., Malvern, Caulfield, and Onkleigih, adjacent to Melbourne. The efforts of these municipalities have brought the .scheme to a successful issue as far as the 'town of Dandenong. . The work is now being extended to Hallam, trees being) planted in single line on either side of .the main road. On the Calder highway 'in the shire of Gisborne, 750 trees have been planted from the township of <#is.borne, over a distance of six miles, leading to Melbourne. The existing avenue of. trees is being continued north of Gifiborne. Amongst other shires that of Donald has planted avenues of trees on all declared main roads leading from Donald. Planting will Vie continued ear!) year until every important road in this shire is planted from end to end. The complete elimination of advertisinr? signs and hoardings from the high•ways and in the vicinity of the highways beyond the populous areas has been an important factor in improving the appearance of the Victorian highways. Panger to traffic has I ecu minimised bv bettor visibility, the landscape is not "now obscured, and the beauty of the surrounding country is no longer disfigured. Tlie Victorian Country Ponds Board is of opinion that legislation should be enacted with a view to the prohibition of Vdv>rtiHen>ents of this character in the Jvicmitv of declared main roads, where larse ' hoardings of an objectionable -nature not only mar the natural beauty of the country, but distract the attention of the drivers of motor vehicles -when their attention should be concenirjited on the road.