“BEAUTIFY THE CITY.”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16902, 29 November 1922, Page 4

“BEAUTIFY THE CITY.”

MR JAMES YOUNG’S ADVICE

The council of the United Burgesses’ Association met last evening. Mr W. J. Roberts presiding. There were also present:— Messrs M. Clark (A von side), I*. S. Robertson (St Albans), C. H. Aston (Awanui), G. Smith (Bryndwr), J. D. Sprosen (Aranui; and A. H. Milner (A von side). The Waimairi County Council wrote stating that- it approved of the suggestion that hawkers should wear distinguishing badges. The Riccarton Borough Council wrote stating that, it would enforce the by-laws in this respect. Mr J. Young, Superintendent of City Reserves, in a paper on the beautifying of the city, said that every tree planted should have ample room for full development. Unfortunately, however, the common practice nowadays was to go round after the trees had been planted for some time and were a? the stage when their beauty was being admired, and “ behead ” the lot of them. From his point of view this was sheer folly. If not room in a certain position j-r a tree to develop naturally, the.? there was little u?u planting the tree at all. Money I was spent in heading back beautiful trees and destroying their natural beauty. Why ? Simply because it was necessary to make room for a few tele- * graph wires. There should be some | way of obviating this shameful procedure. Regarding the improvement of the river, Mr Young said there had been suggpstjioins from time ten time that ; darns should be constructed, but he did j not think it an advisable scheme at ! ;iil from a scenic point of view. The j river course throughout the city might profitably be improved by the planting I of native flora and exotics. Hie river : banks should be neatly graded and terraces made, especially on the part of the river on the east of the city. Nothing would add more to the beauty of the river than the formation of two or three small island*;, such as the one opposite St Michael’s Church. These islands, if planted, one with nativo flora and another with exotics and so on, would be very- effective. Another method by which the river might be improved would be by forming a few small inlets and planting them with iris and water lilies. Improvement could be rendered by converting the unsightly channel inlets into "small waterfalls. Around these falls he suggested the planting of iris and other

water-loving plants. Mr Young thought it was a mistake to plant nothing else but willows along the river banks. He suggested, as an improvement, the alternate planting of a willow, a bii-ch and a red gum, particularly along the lower reaches of the Mr Young attacked the present system of street fencing. Jt- seemed almost a pity that there was not a regulation to the effect that street fences i should be mere uniform, or at least respectable. This was, of course, in the city area He recommended the planting of low-growing hedges, but condemned the unsightly macrocarpa “ barricades.” Citizens should be encouraged to take an interest in caring for their own gardens. Advice might profitably be given to all householders regarding the growing of sufficient root ciops to supply the household. Mr Young advocated the use of suitable statuary in adding to the beauty of the city and its gardens.