BEAUTIFICATION.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13500, 9 October 1911, Page 4

BEAUTIFICATION.

There is am.i’ier important aspect from which the qiu-u ion of lotting the frontages in Ridgway Stiiet may be viewed, and that is the beautification of our reserves. It would certainly be an advantage to the borough if the rAit and rate roll from its reserves was larger. At present many improvements that might he effected in our reserves and streets cannot be carried out for lack of funds. Good work lias already been done by the Council and by the Beautification Society in making the town and suburbs more attractive, but we have only touched the fringe. It would he desirable if the Mayors and members of our local bodies could be induced to visit Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and other Australian cities—better still if they could go to tlie Old Country ami to Europe—and make a study of the work there going on in the streets and reserves in the way of beautification. Wo venture to say that their eyes would be opened, and they would come back impressed with the fact that wo in Now Zealand arc far behind other lands in this respect. Town planning and beautification arc attracting a great deal of attention now from the authorities in other countries, and why should not Wanganui set an example to New Zealand in this respect. The Beautification Society is doing splendid work, but it requires substantial assistance, from the Council, and that assistance could easily bo forthcoming if the borough reserves were let' to advantage. “Smiley’s Paddock” and “Queen’s Drive” are excellent examples of municipal settlement, and the rents from the frontages of other reserves total a fairly large sum. Why should not the rents be increased by the opening up Ridgway Street? There will then bo more money to spend on beautifying our streets and reserves.