The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1902-10-28
FLOWERS IN THE
CITY OF MANILA
VAST IMPROVEMENTS BEING
MADE IN BOTANICAL GARDENS
FLORA OF THE ISLANDS.


The picturesque surroundings at the
spot decided upon were no doubt then
very beautiful, and at present retain
much of their luXuriant Vegetation in
the way of trees, but the unfortunate
selection rested upon a perfect swamp
of untitled ground which stretches
much in the form of a triangle from
the exit of Santa Cruz bridge at Plaza
Lawton westward to where the newly
established printing plant is now locat-
ed, and bounded on the sides by Gale
Vidal and Gale Arroceros, the area of
which has been surveyed and contains
close upon $4,000 square meters, or more
correctly, according to official records,
1887 square meters Shortly after the
occupation of Manila by the American
forces the work on this estimabe piece
of improvement was picked up by the
military authorities in charge, and
many attempts at such, with the limit
ed and crude material at their disposal
at the time, are shown by the mute ev-
licences existing today. Roads and
paths had been laid out plats and lawns
staked off with an eye to artistic beau
ty and considerable swamp had been
filled in which under Spanish control
had been left to produce forestry ac-
customed to spring from that class of
soil.
Some years ago, under Spanish occu-
patton and rule in these islands, the
authorities in charge of municipal af-
fairs of government conceived the
laudable idea of attempting to make
their capital city, viz, Manila, a place
of beauty and after laying out roads,
drives and other places of interest W
the general public, more especially in
and about the Luneta and other close
surroundings to the Intramuros, that
estimable body desired a site for what
was intended to be a botanical gar
den, where the citizen might HE him
self and family on cool evening or
upon Sunday afternoon to bask in
the shade of trees, admire the lawns
and revel in the perfume of sweet
scented flowers.
The idea was very commendable, and
to all accounts the plans were drawn,
the work FASTENED and quite a local
enthusiasm prevailed. Everything
along this line would have worked to
a successful end had it not been for
two important things which proved as
Instructions to the good work in hand,
and it would be difficult to state which
cause should take precedence. At any
rate, the appropriation for such a pur-
pose fell by the wayside, while the
committee appointed to select a proper
site for such pleasure ground, intended
to belong to the people, cast upon a
choice which in these later days seems
to have proven unfortunate.
In justice to the Spanish regime it
should be said that they left one monu-
ment to pesos expended, and that is a
life-sized standing statue of Sebastian
Vidal Soler mounted upon a high
pedestal and situated in the place Of
dignity in the center of the gardens
ito be-" Senior Sebastian y Sober. an
engineer, who affected the civil line of
that craft, was responsible for the
plans of the grounds, such as they are.
He was born in Barcelona, Spain, on
the first day of April, 1912, and after
migrating to Manila, where he attain
ed considerable reputation and merit
as a promoter, died in this city July 2S,
1899. The monument was erected to his
memory by his many friends and adj
mirers.
After the military had handed over
the reins of government to the civil
authorities the latter chose an ener-
getic and public-spirited man as super
intendent of streets, parks, etc, in the
person of j. u. Nudge whose sad demise
occurred during the latter part of APP
ril. Mr.. Nudge was an untiring work.
er, but he displayed much enthusiasm
in the matter of city improvements,
especially toward gardens, and by his
efforts secured the foundation for a
geological reserve, consisting of half
dozen native deer, a few monkeys and
a couple of ducks, which were placed
in an Enclosure built for that purpose.
The work at hand today has fallen I'M
der the supervision of Mr.. ]. c. Mehan,
assistant superintendent of streets,
parks. etc. ablv seconded, in the mat
ter and business of roads and high
ways, by Mr.. H. H. Glover.
The work on paths and beds is pro-
crossing marvelously under the condi-
lions and handicaps. There are a num-
Der of men employed in the construc-
ton of a road from the exit of the San
ia Cruz bridge westward which cut off
short corner of the grounds, thence
leading out into Gale Vidal
Where the filling in of swamps has
been completed there appears a de-
lightful view to the eye of well-groom-
ed lawns and well-cared-for paths 1t
Is to be hoped that the authorities will
not only take notice of the progress in
this particular line, but also consider
the anticipations of a patient public. 1t
might be added that everything now
growing on the swamp is indigenous to
the soil.-Manila Times.