BEAUTIFYING SOCIETY

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160796, 2 November 1920, Page 7

BEAUTIFYING SOCIETY

BECENT OPERATIONS. The following is a summary of recent improvements carried out by the Wanganui Beautifying Society: The Wanganui East Esplanade during the last few months has attracted much attention from visitors. Just recently the Japanese flowering cherries and several varieties of flowering apples were . conspicuous objects. At present the Paulownia Imperialis (the Imperial tree of China) is a gorgeous sight, with its blue gloxinia-like blossoms. A prominent Wellington business man and his wife spent a week in Wanganui just recently, and expressed great pleasure in visiting our reserves. They said they visited the Wanganui East Esplanade every day and knew now nearly every tree there. The Wanganui Beautifying Society has been very fortunate in having amongst its members many men who have unselfishly given much of their time to the work of the beautification of Wanganui. In Mp J. H, Burnet wo have one who has engineered some very

important plantings such as the tree* along Halswell Street. In planting and procuring guards for these treej Mr Burnet and others paid over iJIOC out of their own pockets. Another work undertaken and just completed by Mi Burnet was the planting of oaks and plane trees from the ferry to the tram terminus, Araraoho. Mr James McGregor, who has bees spending the winter in Queensland, and is now in Sydney, has procured large quantities of seeds for the Beautifying Society. During the present week large parcels of choice palm seeds, about 20 varieties, and seeds from choice shrubs in tho Brisbane and Sydney Botanical Gardens, have been received. The slopes on each side of the steps to the Art Gallery have been transformed from an eyesore to a thing of beauty, and the admiration of everyone. The beautiful green terraces set off the steps and Gallery. As this work has been under the supervision of Mr Tucker, the Borough gardener, great credit must bfl given him.