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Design Review: Volume 2, Issue 5 (February-March 1950)

Highlights of the New Zealand Landscape

page 98

Highlights of the New Zealand Landscape

Our tourist literature lets down its hair about the variety and magnificence of this country's landscape. Alpine ranges, pastoral peace, the wonders of the geyser land, the sublimity of the cold lakes, the tropical bush, the thundering waterfall, helped out by interspersed snippings from the poets, allure the tourist to come and sample the attractions of this paradisal land of which we are so proud.

Why limit our pride to the places we seldom visit? Is not an object of pride an object of care? Has anyone ever been heard protesting against the filthy litter of paper, ice cream containers and cardboard which converts every picnic ground and holiday resort into an eyesore? Quite lately the short distance from the road to the Huka Falls was like walking through a gigantic rubbish tip.

Corner of main thoroughfare complete with dust-bin.

Corner of main thoroughfare complete with dust-bin.

The commonest specimen of the New Zealand flora, to be found in both islands and in the most unexpected places, even on the snowline of Egmont, is the beer bottle. It flourishes, both as a whole and in pieces, over a wide terrain ranging from our city streets to unlikely corners of our scenic reserves.

Seaside resorts where weekend baches abound supply their own characteristic landscape. Its main feature consists of what the Scotsman refers to as the “Wee hoose.” As one stands on a hill overlooking such popular resorts their conspicuous isolation and unmistakable form seem to multiply their number out of all proportion to human requirements.

Civic pride of the Capital City.

Civic pride of the Capital City.

Driving into the average country town, after passing the Gothic weather-boarded church on the left and the war memorial on the right the eye meets a procession of shop verandahs. Not one is at the same height as its neighbour, while the differing slants of the supporting poles form a corybantic dance with the varied angles of the street poles, like drunks reeling home from a party.

Our cities show pride in their civic amenities. Thrusting themselves upon our attention are our many ways of making life easy; street lights, trams, telephones, etc.

What a wonderland this could be if our man-made scenery were orderly and designed!