RICCARTON BUSH.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1643, 21 May 1919, Page 5

RICCARTON BUSH.

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES. The Riccarton Bush Trustees report that during the year the bush has been carefully attended to, and improvements made as far as funds permitted. The wet weather during the winter of 1918 and the early part of the following summer suited the bush admirably; many of the shrubs and the youug trees made vigorous growth. Further improvements have been made to the -paths already laid down, and some new paths have been made, giving access to other parts of the bush. Additional scats have been provided by various donors. A number of ash trees have been felled near the ranger's cottage, letting in more sunlight to the cottage grounds, and improving the view from the entrance gates. The sale of the timber from the trees that were felled added slightly to the trustees' funds. For the convenience of visitors a penny-in-thc-slot gas heater for boiling water has been installed near the entrance. The Christchurch Gas Company generously offered to do their part of the work at half the ordinary cost, the other half being considered as the contribution to the funds of the, trustees. The Canterbury College Board of Governors made the usual contribution of £25 in j accordance with the agreement previously i made. The facilities offered have been j largely taken advantage of by the students, | and prove of very considerable assistance i to the Professor of Biology in bis work. The bush was visited by a number of i members of the Science Congress of the | New Zealand Institute, held in Christchurch j in February, 1919, and shortly afterwards, by the members of the Christchurch City ! Council on the occasion of their annual inspection of the City Reserves. Both parties were highly pleased with the condition of the bush, and expressed their appreciation of its value to the people of Christchurch and surrounding districts, and of the importance of preserving its original character. The statement of receipts and expenditure shows that the financial position has considerably improved, the debit balance of £23 1/10 having been wiped off, and the year ending with a credit balance of £l3 ! 2/3. The whole of this balance will, however, be more than extinguished by the i cost of the shelter erected in connection With the water-heating apparatus and by other improvements which the trustees have in hand. !