THE CLARENCE BUSH.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17226, 17 August 1921, Page 6

THE CLARENCE BUSH.

: A MAKLBOROUGH MISSION.

(BPEOIAIi *o "the press.") BLENHEIM, August 16. Tho active interest that the Christchurch people have been taking in the question of preserving the Clarence Bush, and the close attention that "The Press" (Ohristchurch) has bee.n giving the subject are appreciated in Marlborough. On Monday the Commissioner of Crown Lands (Mr J.'Cook) accompanied by three members of the progress committee of the Marlborough Chamber of Commerce (Messrs W. J. Girling, C. W. Parker, and B. P. Fujness) visited the locality between Black Miller Creek and Paparoa Point, some six or seven miles below tho Clarence bridge, for the ourpose of conferring with the East Coast settlers who desire to prevent the beautiful bush from falling a victim to the woodman's axe. In spite of the heavy rain, there was a large attendance. The 1 only noteworthy absentee was Mr P. Adair, the owner : ©f the property on Wi'ich tho bush stands, who sent a telegram regretting his inability to be) present. Indignation was expressed tliat somo of the trees alongside the road had already been felled, but it was explained that this had been done without instruotion from Mr Adair, who had stopped the work as .soon as he heard or it. Enough l has been cut, however, to show the difference between what is and what will be if the axe is not stayed.

Mr Cook, addressing the gathering, said that sofar as he knew, the Government was not prepared to acquire" the iand for scenery preservation, owing to the Shortage of money. There had been some correspondence with Mr Adair and the ranger ht-d also discussed the matter with him. Mr Adair would # not part .with the property, but had signed an agreement to the effect that-if he we'te. not interfered with, he would preserve the bush on the ten acre block, on which he intended to erect his homestead, and would maintain a strip about a chain and V half wide along the frontage of the land. After considerable disousslon, It was decided that Messrs J. Moore, A. J. Murray and W. J. Girling should go on to Hapuku, where Mr Adair resides and interview him. On their return they reported that Mr Adair was not prepared to meet the wishes of the Bettlers further than what he had agreed with the Lands Department to do. He had, he said, set his heart on the Black Miller for his come, and intended to build it there. Naturally this answer did not meet with approval, but- there the matter stands at present.