POPULATION TOO SMALL FOR LARGE-SCALE ROAD BEAUTIFICATION

Wanganui Chronicle, 29 April 1949, Page 4

POPULATION TOO SMALL FOR LARGE-SCALE ROAD BEAUTIFICATION

While local bodies and other interested organisations should be encouraged in their efforts to beautily highways and roads, New Zealand’s population was too small to support the expense that a large-scale scheme of road beautilication would involve, said the president of the Automobile Association in Wanganui, Mr. G. W. Sampson, at an AA executive meeting recently. He was commenting on a sheme put forward by Mr. A. Dunscombe Allen for consideration by the North Island Motor Union. Mr. Dunscombe Allen’s observations which were read at the Wanganui executive’s meeting, referred to the stand taken by the NIMU at its conference in Wanganui last year against the “degradation of the highway by roadside advertising" and that ' action opposed to such licensed vandalism’ was most praiseworthy. He considered, however, that the matter should be taken further by the Automobile Associations: that a lead should be given in action not only to protect the landscape, but also to improve it.

OFF BEATEN TRACK After referring to steps taken overseas to eliminate roadside hoardings and to foster beautilication of roads, Mr. Dubscombe Allen said that in New Zealand most natural reserves and natural parks were off the beaten track. The Highways Board had a progressive policy for roadside planting, but much remained to be done to improve the landscape in the interest of the traveller and to conserve what already existed. After dealing with many aspects of beautilication work that could be undertaken as community projects or as part of the functions of local bodies, Mr. Dunscombe Allen suggested that the Automobile Associations of New Zealand promote action to develop the beauty of the roadside and thereby enhance the enjoyment of motoring. His views will be discussed at the next meeting of the North Island Motor Union executive. TWO WAYS “This is a life work and consideration of such a proposal must cover ways and means," said Mr. Sampson, commenting on Mr. Dunscombe Alien’s views. “There are two ways in which roads might be beautified—avenues of trees and improvements to abandoned road corners. In Wanganui much work has been done regarding the latter course, both by the Automobile Assn., and by individuals. When considering planting of trees along roads it must be realised that such amenities as telephone and power lines have rights which cannot be denied. For this reason I feel that avenues cannot be considered for many years." SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED Mr. Sampson said that small garden plots on abandoned road land did much to beautify roadsides and should be encouraged. In Wanganui such enthusiasts as Messrs. Mair and Dix, county engineers, had done much to beautify roads in their areas, while the Main Higsways Board had carried on similar work. There had been other enthusiasts, said Mr. Sampson, who mentioned Messrs Hope Gibbons and Birch, but finance usually had been a limiting factor. Mr. Sampson considered that a grandiose scheme was bound to fail lor lack of finance anfi also because there were so many conflicting factors. Maintenance was always a considerable problem, Mr. Sampson mentioning an attempt near Wanganui to beautily a roadside section. The initial move was a success, but the plot was. now neglected and overgrown. "I agree that the object is an admirable one," he said, “but whether AA members have the time and the means to launch such a scheme as suggested is doubtful. However, in a small way 1 am prepared to help advance any scheme to beautily our countryside and to remove any existing blots on the landscape wherever possible.” The meeting fully endorsed Mr. Sampson’s views whicn were passed on to the North Island Motor Union.