Preservation of Lake Virginia

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 82, Issue 305, 24 December 1938, Page 19 (Supplement)

Preservation of Lake Virginia

It is a coincidence, perhaps, that the Wanganui city gardener (Mr. S. I. Cox), in his plans for improving tne beauty of the surroundings of Virginia Lake, should decide upon the legend of the willow pattern plate to construct an island and rustic bridge at the northern end. If coincidence it was, it was a happy one, for there is

t great similarity in the story of the •• two lovers who defied the will of the : great mandarin and sought to be i united, and the story of Turere and 1 Tainui. The two Oriental lovers were - turned into doves above the rustic t bridge, the legend says. Virginia Lake t is a place for all types of birds, doves 5 included.

‘ The City Council has approved of a definite plan of beautification for the lake; all the trees are to be named, suitably-sized tin plates being used for the purpose. Shell rock is being used liberally to develop rockeries. Mr. T. H. Horton, curator of Pukekura Park, New Plymouth, who inspected the reserve, commended Mr. Cox’s plan.