The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1904-04-27

4 Inc HeSeaIcH NluD nt1u a AhScIA'il
last night at the residence of w.
Bowen. Architect Newcomb gave al
address on identifying Cities" Illus
trating his lecture with excellent draw
ings. A hearty vote of thanks was
rendered Mr.. Newcomb for his address.
and Mr.. and Mrs. Bowen for enter.
tanning the members of the club. P. L
weaver was appointed president in the
absence of Prof Bryan. C. H. Tracy
continues vice-president, and w. c,
Parke IS secretary. G. B. Mcclellan,
lw. A. MADDEN and C. G. Owen were
appointed a committee to aid the Off
GERS in carrying on the work of the
lclub. The park committee, consisting of
Messrs. Wall, Chase and Mcclellan.
lhave been recommended to continue
their work devising means for beauti-
flying the city.
Following is Mr.. E. A. P. Newcomb's
address:
Abundant shade, extensive space, ade-
4 quate sewerage and water supply are the
four elements which go far to make
perfect city. These matters were con-
! sidered necessary by the ancients, as the
unearthed ruins of the most splendid
cities muteiy testify.
| The planting of trees and the position
of shaded avenues and gardens, were
treated with as much care and con-
| sidered as necessary for the health. of
| the populace as the perfecting OF the
sewers and aqueducts.
| In the eighteenth century, our ances-
tors closely connected to Great Britain
and France, worked or traditional lines
in laying out Washington, Savannah
and New Orleans, with results which
oyer-shadow anything that followed,
previous to the last twenty-five years OF
the nineteenth century. Beyond choos-
ing prominent and appropriate sites for
the Capitol buildings of our more mod
ern States, there are no indications that
a well arranged plan for future develop
rnent of their cities was followed The
present century promises better things.
There is scarcely village in the
United States, but has its improvement
society, and the services of the most
prominent architects, sculptors, en-
gineers and landscape gardeners are be-
ing employed in the great cities to add
elegance and beauty to the enlargement
OF their borders.
Boston has stretched her arms in
blessing to the people from Nantasket
beach on the South shore past Revere
beach on the north shore. IN a series
OF parks, gardens, meadows, groves,
formal terraces, sylvan glades, bathing
beaches and streams for exercise and
pleasure boating. This vast territory
contains monumental and rustic bridges,
baIustrades, arbors, retreats, refresh
ment houses, artistic shelters, of stone
and wood, cascades, fountains, pergolas,
bathing and boat houses, sand banks for
the children and shaded seats for the
aged. Everything in its appropriate
place and with the proper surroundings.
Here barren rocky space, where the
picturesque mullen blooms and savin
trees stand like sentinels. There groups
their reflection in the river makes them
doubly beautiful. avenues of elrr1s and |!
tangles and thickets of wild rose and |
azalea, nature made more beautiful by |
the intelligent skill of man.
New York, Philadelphia, Buffalo, and i
in fact all the cities of the East, and |
many in the West, are extending and /
identifying their boundaries in this way /
for the health of the people.
When the park system OF the District
of Columbia is finished, as planned by
d. H. Burnhanl, of Chicago, Chas. F.
McKimm, and Augustus St Gaudens,
of New York, and Fredk Law Ohm
stead, of Boston, who are named the
Park Commission" Washington will
be the most beautiful capital city in the
worIu.
HONOLULU.
Honolulu, on account of its climatic
conditions, which are such that recrea-
ton is a part of the daily life the year
through, offers an interesting problem
to those who would work for her civic
adjournment. In order TO see what she
possesses. Whoever laid out the gov
eminent grounds with the Opera house,
the great church and arrnory adjacent,
certainly had a fine sense of the i'm
portance of space, which adds dignity
to public buildings. The buildings
themselves may not be above criticism,
but they are interesting, showing as theyl
do, the aspirations of the few who. in
those days, paved the way. Even Ka-
waiahao church with its massive
supporting blocks of coral
rock. in lieu of an entablature and its
small eye window under the clock, is
by the extent of its plan,
and no modern edifce, however beauti-
full. could better express the faith and
love of those who laid her corner stone
1t is unfortunate that the automobile
building interferes with what was a
stately group of public buildings The
spacious grounds in this neighborhood
should never be sacrificed but rather
increased and beautiied. The removal
of the wooden structures on the Ex-
ecutive grounds would greatly improve
that spot
The piece of land at the junction of
King and Merchant streets might be
included in this territory. and thus ex-
tend the beauty of the district
OF small parks. Honolulu has rood
" number and. they are well placed.
The only one which is in order is Thomas
Square This has bee-1 r11trrf, ir,,orovad