CIVIC ROSE GARDEN IS PLANNED FOR DURIE HILL AREA

Wanganui Chronicle, 26 July 1949, Page 4

CIVIC ROSE GARDEN IS PLANNED FOR DURIE HILL AREA

Proposals for the establishment o£ a civic rose garden on Durie Hill near the memorial lower—an area of suitable heavy soil —were discussed at a meeting last night convened by the Wanganui Rose Society. The proposal was approved ana it is hoped to plant about 300 roses during the coming season. Later the area will be extended and similar areas laid out in such centres as Gonville and Aramoho, the ultimate objective to prepare lor a likely rose convention in Wanganui in about lour or five years time.

Outlining the proposals, Mr. W. H. Reynolds, president of the Wanganui Rose Society, said the scheme had been formulated by the executive oi the society which had been granted the use oi the land oy the Wanganui City Council. It was eventually hoped to extend the seneme to other parts of the city and to link up the scheme for the holding ot the national rose convention in Wanganui in about four or live years’ time. The area was not as large as the executive really desired nor was the situation really where wanted, but the executive nad to take what was offering. Several areas had been offered, but th e soil was not suitable for rose cultivation.

The garden would be a community centre and it was hoped that people would either buy roses for planting in the area or make donations lor the purchase of the roses. A plan of the proposed garden beds was shown and explained by Mr. T. Kennedy, secretary of the society. He said that there would b e a lot of work necessary to put the proposals into effect. The area available was 80 leet by 60 feet and was level with tbe exception of 12 feet near the footpath. Tne whole design would radiate rrom a 16-foot circle in the centre of which would be planted a weeping rose. The City Council had promised to cooperate to the extent of keeping the lawns cut. The suggestion was made, that if the rose beds were carried right up to the footpath it would b e necessary to erect a protecting hedge. Mr. Reynolds said the Wanganui Junior Cnamber of Commerce was interested in the proposal and had promised that its memoers would give active assistance in the laying out and planting of the gardens. Tne society nad been asked to make the beds as simple as possible to facilitate the mowing of the lawns. The suggestion was made that annuals could be planted in part of the area this season when the soil would be broken in for the planting of roses during the next season. It was decided to proceed with the central plot this season. This plot will include four bordering beds, the whole area to be planted being about 3 feet by 30 feet. The Rev. Speir said that the question of selecting the plants and' the colour scheme was important and should be dealt with by a special committee.

Nin e plots will be planted this season and between 250 and 300 roses will be planted out. The scrub fence to be erected will be from six to seven feet in height. The following committee was set up to formulate a colour scheme and to decide on the types to be planted:—Mesdames E. beers and R. C. Earle and Messrs. K. H. Richdale, W. H. Reynolds and the secretary, Mr. T. Kennedy.

The suggestion was made by Mr. Richdal e that instead of people donating a rose it would be better if they donated the money. This would enable the roses to be planted to a plan. The chairman said that the cost of a plant would be half a crown. The secretary said that donations had already been received for 36 plants. Mr. Reynolds suggested that when the Durie Hill schenig was well under way, plants should be provided at the hospital and at Upper Aramoho. Then the society should seek an area for a trial ground somewhere near the centre of the city. This area, however, would take much more care and attention. Mr. Reynolds mentioned the line rose garden which had been planted at OtaKl in an area a little bigger than that available at Durie Hill. He did not think there would be much difficulty in getting the schemes under way, particularly as Wanganui was a flower-loving centre.

ft was agreed to make a public appeal for donations to purenase suitable roses.

Mr. Kennedy said the main thing was to get the ground turned over in preparation for the planting of the trees. It was not necessary to have a large gang of workers; what was needed was a small gang who would be under expert supervision. A start is to be made with the turning over of the ground next Saturdaymorning.

It is noped that the first tree will be planted on Arbour Day by the Mayor of Wanganui, the Hon. W. J. Rogers, M.L.C.