THE “CITY BEAUTIFUL.”

Taranaki Daily News, 23 November 1932, Page 6

THE “CITY BEAUTIFUL.”

The appeal by the Mayor of New Plymouth, Mr. H. V. S. Griffiths, for a keener interest in the beautifying of the town was one worthy of fullest support. Mr. Griffiths was able to point to excellent work in that direction that is being performed by the borough council which has set up a special committee for the purpose. Naturally its efforts are to some extent controlled by the funds available, but with more assistance from residents much could be done at little expense to improve some of the waste corners of the town. Already property owners in some streets ate seeing the value of local community efforts, and they have received sympathetic treatment from the municipal authorities. Nor miist the good work of the Beautifying Association under the leadership of Mr. R. C. Hughes be overlooked. For many years he and his colleagues have endeavoured to improve the town to which nature has been so lavish in providing the opportunity for creating a “city beautiful,” Nor has that lavishness been confined to New Plymouth. It applies to every district in the province, and it is good to see that the desire for beautiful surroundings is rapidly spreading. Railway stations, dairy factories, odd corners like the triangle near the Normanby Dairy Company’s factory, and any centres of industry are all the better if their surroundings are made as pleasing as is possible. Already some ugly places have been made beautiful, and the movement deserves full encouragement from those in authority. The factory which takes a pride in its external appearance is not likely to suffer from inefficiency within, and rivalry in this direction would be all to the good of any industry. The history of British industry has many chapters which show how pride in craftsmanship created a desire for pleasant surroundings in which it could be achieved or displayed. It is a trait of national character which should be developed, especially among the young people. No form of active public service i is wider in its application. It can be ■ rendered by rich and poor, and the results obtained are seen and enjoyed by ■ those who create them as well as by the public they have tried to serve.