WANGANUI BEAUTIFYING SOCIETY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 19033, 10 June 1924, Page 6

WANGANUI BEAUTIFYING SOCIETY

ANNUAL REPORT. The following is the report to be presented at the annual meeting on Friday evening next:— It is now fourteen years since the society was forntsd and the good work accomplished has received commendation from all over New Zealand. In exposed positions like Virginia Lake reserve the first task undertaken was the planting of nurse trees ana shelter trees. A large number of New Zealand trees were put in and these have now grown nicely and will help to shelter the more delicate and rare trees which are to be perceived this season. The belts of pine trees are showing up well and will afford good protection against the strong winds. Beforfi the season is over it is expected to see some beautiful new plantations of fern trees, groves of palmsgiant bamboos, in suitable soil near the water’s edge, a dell of rhododendrons, groups of autumn tinted plants, such as acers, scarlet oaks, etc. The object of the society is to make the walk right round the lake a source of interest from beginning to end. Then entrance gardens are very pretty and when all along the walk are planted oleanders, camellias, flowering cherries, magnolias, azalias, hydrangeas, waratahs, luculias and dozens of other flowering shrubs, it can at once b’e seen how greatly the value of the reserve will be enhanced. In the borough nursery are thousands of choice palms ready to go out. There arc hundreds of waratahs, besides large quantities of melaleucas, low growing aeacias, grevilleas and other flowering Australian shrubs. A se u lection of the best of these will be piade for the Virginia lake reserve. Another feature of great interest is the bird-life on the lake, lucre being thousands of wild ducks, and many black and white swans. Pukekos are also to be seen there, as well as tuis and bell birds.

Kowhai Park.—The laying out and the planting of this park was undertaken by Mr. James McGregor. During last season, the lower end near Hatrick slip was laid out and planted with the finest selection of trees and shrubs procurable in New Zealand. It would take too long to enumerate all of them, but mention might be made of the choice rhododendrons, over eighty of which have been planted there. A special selection was also made of conifers, abies, cedars, cypress, Wellingtonias, cryptomerias, etc. A feature of this plantation is the varied and choice collection of autumn foliage plants. In Mr. McGregor, Wanganui is fortunate to possess a gentleman of very extensive experience in horticulture, and one who is giving the public the benefit of that experience. The thousands of | plants growing in the nursery are all from seeds collected by him when in Australia. The trees along the Wanganui East Esplanade have grown so fast that they are overcrowding each other, and it is now necessary to thin many out. One visitor remarked on the beauty of the cabbage trees. These, when about three feet high were beheaded with a result that they have all branched out near the ground and have made very fine trees. The path in wet weather is in a very bad states, and quite impossible for ladies. The difficulty might be overcome if a narow strip, say a foot wide were metalled from the Dublin Street bridge to Hatrick’s slip. At the entrance of the esplanade a very pretty cairn has been erected, being the gift of a lady, whose name has not been divulged. On the stonework are the following lines:— “A public good should be a public

care. All should preserve what all may

Gordon Park Bush. —Mainly through the untiring exertions of Mr. T. Allison there is every prospect of obtaining this magnificent bush as a forest reserve for Wanganui. For several years Mr. Allison has interviewed the Bruce trustees with the object of obtaining a grant from them. At different times the three trustees, Sir Thomas McKenzie, Mr. Hockley M.P., and W. Simpson, have been taken to view the bush, with a result they have now written to Mr. Allison offering to donate a sum of £2OOO towards the purchase of it. There are 3# J acres in the block, of which 30 acres are bush, which contains many very large white pine trees. This is the only bush of this nature between New Plymoth and Wellington, situated close to a town. With careful planting of all New Zealand’s choicest trees, including rimu, kauri, etc., it can well be imagined how valuable this will become say in fifty years time. The Wanganui Borough Council have been asked to find a similar amount to tkat donated by the Bruce trustees The council passed the following motion: “That the council convey its thanks to the Wanganui Beautifying Society for its successful efforts to secure for the borough of Wanganui, Gordon Park, as a forest reserve for the citizens; also that it expresses its appreciation of the generous contribution from the Bruce trustees; and further, that the council will use every endeavour to give effect to the proposal as outlined by the trustees. Aramoho Park.—The Borough Council is to be commended on the splendid work which has been carried out in this park. In erecting swings, chutes, and many other appliances for the children’s pleasure, they are working in the right direction. Children’s Dlaygroundsl—Small areas should be secured in suitable parts of Wanganui for the use of children. and it is noted with pleasure that the amount raised by the sale of poppies by the R.S.A. is to bo spent on Lorenzdale Park, together with a £ for £ subsidy from the borough. Additional Reserves or Breathing Spaces.—lt is recognised in advanced countries, that all cities require ample breathing spaces, and in some cases it is noted that millions are being spent in purchasing and demolishing whole block of houses so as to secure more open spaces. This cost would have been obviated if the early civic authorities had looked ahead and made provision for the future generation. The proposal that the borough council purchase areas of some fifty acres, at Aramoho and also at Castlecliff, Durie Hill and Wanganui East is a splendid one. It can easily be seen that if the purchase of the required areas is left until Wanganui is doubled, the cost would be very great, as most of the land available now

would be built on. The spaces at the entrance to the lift, Shakespeare’s Cliff and river bank (Putiki side), planted under the supervision of Mr. J. McGregor last season require more attention than has been given them. Most of the trees are growing well, but some are being smothered by grass, and will be lost if not properly looked after.

The protection of native bush growing along the banks of the Wanganui river is very important. The Wanganui river is one of the tourist routes, and it is the business of the Wanganui people to make the river as attractive as posible. Just recently there were some kowhai trees growing along the banks about ten miles up, and it was found that they had all either been cut dq€n or ring barked. The attention of the clerk of the Wanganui County Council was drawn to the fact, as the land had been leased by the County Council to a resident there. During the past year death has claimed four members of the society — in Mr. C. W. Babbage, vice-president, St. John’s Hill has lost one of its most enthusiastic members and one who was secretary to the branch for years. In Mr. R. Murdoch the society has lost one of its best workers. He was one of the old band who put in so much work in years past on the Virginia lake reserve. In Mr D. M. Williamson, vice-presi-dent, the society has lost a member who was always ready to assist and give his professional experience. In Mr. W. W. Chisholm, Wanganui East has lost a member who was one of the workers who did so much to lay the foundation of the Wanganui East esplanade.

ST. JOHN’S HILL BEAUTIFYING SOCIETY. This year, unfortunately, death has visited us and removed from our midst our late secretary, Mr. C. W. Babbage. By his death the society has sustained a great loss. Mr. Babbage had for many years been secretary to the above society and he took a keen interest in Virginia Lake Reserve, planting of streets and of the beautification of the Hill in general. The society has also sustained a great loss by the death of the late Mr. R. Murdoch, who was a very good and energetic member of the society. During the past season the society has effected a great improvement at the northern end of the lake, having had all the unsightly straight willows removed and other rubbish cleaned up and in place thereof have planted 100 tree ferns and a good many rhododendrons, and this winter it is suggested that we plant another 100 tree ferns and back those up with rimu and totara and more rhododendrons.

It is suggested that some other unsightly straight willows be removed and replaced with good specimens of flowering shrubs and trees. A start has been made in procuring these plants. It is pleasing to note that the lake reserve is proving a sanctuary for some of our native birds. On a recent date tuis and bell birds were to be seen feeding on the honey flowers of the various trees. The latter-named birds are so tame that wo are afraid they will be killed by the thoughtless unless the powers that be keep a watch and take proceedings against all who transgress. One other piece of work was taken in hand last winter, and that was the improvement of what is known as View Point. From the i rough it has been transformed into well kept lawns and flower beds with a motor drive around so that visitors can now view the city in comfort. The View Point is a part of Victoria Park Reserve, and it is the wish of the society that a general plan be procured of the whole park so that the beautification and improvement of the whole park can be done systematically and not haphazard. The above about completes the past year’s progress, but it is hoped that in the coming year greater progress will be made. It is the wish of the residents that Parsons Street be planted with flowering cherries this winter, but it would be folly to do so unless the Borough Council will enforce the by-laws and absolutely prohibit all stock travelling this way.