THE CITY BEAUTIFUL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 3956, 12 June 1913, Page 5

THE CITY BEAUTIFUL.

PROPOSAL Tp TRANSFORM GISBORNE'S WASTE PEACES. •

BEAUTIFYING ASSOCIATION TO BE FORMED TO-NIGHT. A CHAT WITH THE*MOVING

SPIRIT.

Widespread interest has been excited l\v the proposal of the Mayor (Mr J. R. Kirk) to resuscitate a Beautifying Association in Gisborne. The splendid work done by the old association in. the past in transforming the unsightly banks of the rivers in the town into park-like lawns has not been forgotten, and it is generally held that much good could be done by a beautifying association at the present time. A. "Times” reporter had a chat with the Mayor on subject yesterday, and found lU§’ enthusiastic upon tin? T am very ploasecr to- find that the proposal is meeting with such cordial support in all quarters,” Said Mr. Kirk'when the subject- was introduced. It was. ho added, just evidence of the desire of those people interested in the welfare of Gisborne to lend a hand in making the town and its environments more .attractive. He thought the movement was in the right direction, and that it would be well supported. Questioned as to what he thought such an association might accomplish, the Mayor replied that the primary and general objective would be to give the town an attractive appearance by cleaning up those spots that required it, and beautifying certain pieces of land which at present were possibiy not an eyesore but of no value to the community.

Such an association would also, he considered, have an educative value, because where the interest was widely spread people would feel that they had an interest in safeguarding and protecting their own property. To such an extent had this idea grown jn certain towns of the older countries and of America that private houses and private land were in many cases not fenced off at all from the public pathway. In certain towns of America, for instance, persons could step from the public pathway right on to a gentleman’s lawn without. obstruction bv a fence.

Of course, this was aiming rather high so far as Gisborne was concerned, and he did not wish to infer that the Beautifying Society' could bring about such an effect here, where cows, horses, and dogs were given to midnight rambling on the streets. The society could, however, brighten up the spot in respect of which there was much historic interest—viz, the Cook Monument, a place which was being visited by many callers at Gisborne. The two acres of land just near to it. which had been presented by Lady Carroll, could also be taken in hand and improved. Then there were many road ends abutting on various -rivers, which could be prettily’ planted and laid out. and which would then afford rest places for people on Sundays and holidays.

The good work of the old Beautifying Association in connection with the river banks could be revived amt continued, and there was plenty of scope for a live body in our reserves, particularly those on M'hatanpoko and Ivaiti.

We had, too, an invaluable asset in our sea beaches, and a little improvement in their vicinity would tend to considerably popularise them, and so bring benefit to many more who would be induced to spend their time,- on the sea front, getting the benefit- of the ozone.

Of course, this was just dealing with the matter generally, and there would no doubt be 4l great'many more ideas brought forward at the meeting tonight, and a great deal of support, he felt- certain, would be given not only ]>y townspeople but by country friends. * The more interest that could he awakened the better, and if residents, and especially those in front of whose homes permanent footpaths have been formed would only themselves drip away the grass along their front fences a wonderful improvement would result. It required only one or two in a street to start such a movement, and because of the contrast in neatness the others would soon follow suit. Then the residents would feel a pride in their street, and this would spread tc- other localities, and a good spirit of honorable competition would bo engendered. “Might I be permitted to adci,; ’ continued the Mayor, “that I am pleased that the movement is being inauguratVd in„,tlie month fin- which Alexandra Day falls, as in the Old Land on the 2otli of this month garlands of roses will be in evidence everywhere' an honor of the Queen Mother.’'’ “It has been well said,’’ concluded His Worship, “that ‘flowers bloom onlv for those who- love them,’’ and I hope that especially among the young the Association will he able to inculcate a love for flowers and everything that is beautiful.”