BEAUTIFYING SOCIETY’S PROPOSALS.

Southland Times, Issue 17308, 2 April 1913, Page 2

BEAUTIFYING SOCIETY’S PROPOSALS.

To the Editor. Sir. —The annua] report of the local Beautifying Society, which appears In this morning’s issue, contains the almost Impertinent statement that the new greenhouse to be erected in the gardens is premature. The Society is not only going out of its legitimate sphere, but is casting a reflection on our worthy town gardener and the Town Council in making such a statement. The drafters of the report evidently did not know that the present structure—which it is intended to replace and enlarge—is in such a rotten and tumble-down condition that It is in danger of collapsing. This building contains the best public collection of ferns in the dominion, also a large number of specimen and flowering plants. Are these plants, which have taken nearly forty years to get together, to be ruthlessly destroyed because they cannot be placed in “the future botanical gardens in the Park?” The idea is absurd. There is plenty of scope for the Society without interfering with things they have nothing to do with, and possibly do not understand or appreciate. Arboriculture Is more In their line for many years to come. In their anxiety to do things on a large scale they seem to ignore the patent fact that deciduous trees will not succeed here without shelter, as those planted last season in the Biggar street block bear evidence.

It would be very much better if the Society were to confine their well-meant efforts within reasonable bounds, and work slowly but effectively by taking up smaller areas of ground, completing' them, and keeping them clean. For instance, the triangle on which the cannon is in Gala street would be a good place to practise on by planting hardy native shrubs in the plot, and suitable rock plants amongst the stones round the mound on which the cannon stands. Then at the other end of Nith street is a splendid place to beautify, well sheltered with pines on the windward side, and only requires selected shrubs and plants put in on the north and east sides to make it the prettiest corner in the town instead of the ugliest. This would be beautifying the town much better than planting deciduous trees, such as elms, right across the park, as suggested In the report. If the Society would really endeavour to beautify the town the citizens will heartily support them, and so will A LOVER OF FLOWERS.