CITY CENTENNIAL SCHEME

Southland Times, Issue 23828, 27 May 1939, Page 12

CITY CENTENNIAL SCHEME

WORK ON DECORATIVE BORDER EASTERN BOUNDARY OF QUEEN’S PARK The work of removing nine trees on the eastern boundary of Queen’s Park in preparation for the planting of a decorative border has begun. The border is to be one of Invercargill’s centennial commemoration schemes. The project will keep about 20 men engaged for 12 months and will cost about £5700, of which the Employment Promotion Fund is expected to find £4855. When completed, the border will run from the track facing St. Andrew street to the track facing Bourke street and will be 35 feet wide.

The scheme was suggested to the Invercargill City Council by the superintendent of reserves (Mr B. P. Mansfield). In the April issue of The Journal of Park Administration, Horticulture and Recreation, the official organ of the Institute of Park Administration, published in London, the Invercargill scheme is outlined.

The superintendent’s idea is that a border be prepared for planting with ornamental flowering trees and shrubs, designed to give effect at all seasons. The width of the border is to be not less than 35 feet, irrespective of the existing boundary fence, from a point about 12 yards from the roadway in Elies road. This allows for an eightfoot pathway east of the border and will leave ample room for a cycling or riding track between the pathway and Elies road. REMOVAL OF TREES It will be necessary to remove all pine trees on Elies road between the points indicated and also the stumps of trees previously felled. This work has already begun and five chains of trees have been removed. The material for the construction of the border has been procured and the work is being pushed forward. Mr Mansfield estimates the number of plants required at 2200. Initial clearing, preparation of ground, growing on of material and other work incidental to the scheme will engage about 20 men on full time for 12 months.

An outstanding feature of the border will be the year-round display. Various flowering trees and shrubs are to be planted that will bloom at different times of the year so that in each of the four seasons the border will present an attractive appearance.