VIRGINIA LAKE RESERVE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11060, 23 September 1903, Page 7

VIRGINIA LAKE RESERVE.

Competitive Designs for

Beautiflcattan.

The following report was submitted to the Borough Council last evening by the judges appointed to adjudicate upon the "merits of the competitive designs invited for me proposed laying out as a park of the Virginia Lake property: — There are two designs submitted, bearing mottoes 'Hercules" and "Labor Omnia Vincet" Respectively. Afteir careful study of the designs, including the information accompanying them, we further examined them on the site, inspecting the various natural 'features. Each design complies with' the terms of the competition, and gives evidence of a considerable amount of aptitude, study, and painstaking by its author in treating the subject. Either of the designs would require certain modifications, resulting from more accurate knowledge of the exact contours of the site. "Hercules' " design shows essentially broad natural treatment, while that of "Labor Omuia Vincent" is chiefly classically formal. In the latter design' the carriage drive, with its fence and other adjuncts, is car-* rieel .round the lake adjacent to the water edge, while that of "Hercules" rises gradually up the slopes and over the ridges on the Eastern side, arriving at an extensive level, area' of the high ground at the northern end. This secures important advantages, including ever-changing landscapo, with glimpses of ocean and distant mountains, and • especially • "the -very great advantage by acquiring a small area of land (about half an acre) connecting with the distant road leading back to Wanganui via Halewell Street. This treatment would allow the carriaga drive on the western side to be omitted, for the present at any rate, which is another preat advantage, as the slopes on this side of the lake are chiefly sand, covered with vegetation, and the angle of the slopes too steep to* allow of a carriage-drive side cutting. We therefore consider that when it is required, the b?st method will be by. means of a retaining wall. In the judicious selection- and grouping, the planting scheme of "Hercules" will produce the best effect. - f < We award the first place to the design marked "Hercules," as securing the best general effect, taking into consideration the whole ' surroundings. ■ The design marked "Labor Omnia Vincet" gives, however, some valuable suggestions, such as the lily pbud and the bridge to the peninsula, besides which the gates are more suitable than, those shewn on "Hercules' ". depign.

We' beg to suggest that the charm of se* jelusion would be greatly enhanced if the wain road could be moved back from the lake, say, forty feet towards the south, thus enabling the lake to be completely surrounded by its grounds. If this is not effected the present proximity of the main road and consequent blankness of the southern end of the lake will ever be a serious disfigurement of an otherwise ideal piece of ■ delightful scenery. For the Committee —

A. ATKINS. W. G. BASSETT. E.N. LIFFITON.

On the • accompanying envelopes being opened it was found that Mrs E. A. Sarjeant, Mr J. T. Stewart, and Mr H. Sarjeant were conjointly responsible for the design marked with the motto "Hercules," and secured first prize, and Mr J. M. Rogers, architect and engineer, Of the Dunedin City Jfc,ngineer's office, had designed the other plan. On the motion of the Mayor, it was resolved that the designs be inexpensively framed; they they be exhibited in a shop window for one week; and that they be afterwards hung in a prominent position in the Council Chambers. .