WANGANUI CENTENNIAL MEMORIAL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 285, 4 December 1940, Page 4

WANGANUI CENTENNIAL MEMORIAL

WINTER GARDEN BUILDING OFFICIAL OPENING ON SATURDAY Wanganui's Centennial memorial, the Winter Garden in the Viigima Lake reserve, will be officially opened on Saturday afternoon, and it wilt serve a twofold purpose. Not only wi.l it. house tor the delight of citizens and visitors a wealth ol horticultural beauty from many lands, but it will also further enhance the beauty ot the lake. Hitherto, the traveller by road has only been conscious of the existence ot the reserve by a fleeting glimpse ot the water of the lake, ana, as a result. many have had little inducement to stop and investigate the hidden beauties of the reserve, one of the most outstanding in the country. Completion ot the winter garden and the laying out and planting of a large area of the reserve in its vicinity fronting the main highway will alter all that; the traveller, from now on, will instantly recognise that here is something worth investigating. Great Transformation. The amazing transformation brought about in the reserve by the construction of the winter garden and its surroundings, also by the important improvements carried out at the rear of the lake, were illustrated in the course of a tour in the company ol Mr. S.'l. Cox, the Wanganui City Council superintendent of parks and reserves. Of simple architecture, blending harmoniously with its setting, which includes a semi-circular background of trees, the new Centennial Memorial Winter Garden is situated on a low rise, which forms an ideal site. It was designed and constructed under the supervision of Mr. L. F. Row, city engineer, in collaboration with Mr. Cox. From the entrance hall two large plate-glass windows will give ihe visitor a view of the whole sweep ot the garden. The layout makes a radical departure from the usual formal practice of setting out the plants along the walls ana down the centre. From the entrance hall the vis.tor will descend nine steps before reaching the winter garden proper. Here is to be found a wide range of basket begonias and various other plants, including fern. The house is heated by electricity mostly by suspended elements. Included in the equipment are two Wardian cabinets tor raising alpine specimens, and a room for the displaytor horticultural exhibits for educational purposes. Very Rare Plants. Mr. Cox has many rare plants from different parts of tne world in the winter' garden, including bomarea carderii, irom Brazil, acaiypha, which can only be grown under tropical conditions. This is to be found in North Africa and Central Asia. Then there is the hydrangea quercifolia, which is unknown in vVanganui. It has long panicles of bloom, which are more conspicuous than the average panicles of the common hydrangea. The laying out of the grounds surrounding the winter garden is well advanced and the slope toward the main highway is carrying a good sole of grass, and ornamental hedges and flower pots are well forward. Just off the main road, and immediately fronting the winter garden site, 'a roomy car parking area is being formed. This is semi-circular in shape and the layout is such that it will prove a big boon to motorists,